In Him, we live and move and have our being (Acts17)
St Paul’s Catholic Primary School is served by the parish of St Thomas of Canterbury in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. Our local church is ‘Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary’.
The school has close links with the parish and our Parish Priest, Fr. John Butters. The school and parish work in close partnership in preparing the children for the first sacraments. Pupils, staff and governors are fully involved in the parish and take an active role in a range of ministries in the Catholic community life of the town.
The children at the school have a strong sense of awareness of those less fortunate and play an active role in supporting the many charitable initiatives on going in the parish and wider Christian community by both spiritual and practical means.
Find out more about our Parish: Billingham Parishes - Stockton-on-Tees Catholic Parishes (parishfamilystockton.org.uk)
Celebration of the Word
Belonging to a Catholic school, all children are encouraged to take part in all aspects of school life. However, parents do have the right to withdraw their children from this daily act of collective worship is they so wish. This must be done by a formal request to the Headteacher and after discussion and consultation an agreement would be drawn up for alternative activities during these times.
Wednesday Word
The Wednesday Word mission aims to help all school families draw closer to God, to the Church and to each other. Each week, through the Wednesday Word, we share the Gospel and encourage everyone in our school family to live out our mission.
Wednesday Word
Mini Vinnies
The Mini Vinnies are the hands of Christ at St Paul’s. They turn their concern into action by fundraising for local, national and global causes.
Following a special commissioning assembly, our Mini Vinnies work as ambassadors in our school and local community in promoting good causes.
Mini Vinnies are pupils based in schools and parishes across England and Wales, and in several other countries across the world. They come together to form a part of the St. Vincent de Paul Society England and Wales, a voluntary organisation dedicated to tackling poverty in all its forms. Mini Vinnies meet to pray, discuss and support however they can to help make a difference in their communities.
As Mini Vinnies, the pupils have their own ‘treasured’ Prayer, Pledge and Badge, a dedicated website and a range of documents which guide them in their formative steps, helping and enabling them to become in every sense, young Vincentians – or ‘Mini Vinnies’.
Faith in Action Team
Our Year 6 pupils are invited to work towards their Faith in Action “Pin” Award. This award encourages young people through recognising, rewarding and celebrating their active faith lived out through service and reflection. The Award helps them connect their life and faith in a tangible manner.
In journeying through the Award, young people should experience a deepening of their relationship with God and find themselves exploring that relationship. It is hoped that through their relationship and action, others will see God's love through them.
Diocese
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle comprises the counties of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham, Hartlepool and the remaining part of Stockton Borough which lies north of the River Tees. The Right Reverend Stephen Wright is the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle Diocese. The Diocesan Education Service has been established to support those involved in education; to address current and future need and faithfully express and promote the church’s pastoral mission in education.
Further information on the work of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle can be found at www.rcdhn.org.uk/index.php
Further information on the work of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle can be found Home - Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle (diocesehn.org.uk)
Parish Information
Parish Priest
Fr John Butters
Address
St Thomas of Canterbury
c/o 2 Grosmont Drive
Billingham
TS23 3PE
Telephone: 01642 553118
Weekend Mass Times in Billingham
Saturday Vigil 5.00pm (Children’s Liturgy)
St John’s Church
Central Avenue
Billingham
TS23 1LR
Sunday 10.00am (Children’s Liturgy)
Holy Rosary Church
2 Grosmont Drive
Billingham
TS23 2EP