St Catherine's College,
Armagh
Cor Unum – One Heart
A future focused, faith based school which nurtures children through educational excellence
Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy at St Catherine’s College is guided by our Sacred Heart ethos — nurturing faith, compassion, community, social awareness and service. The Director of Chaplaincy Services, Mrs Fiona Caldwell, oversees the spiritual life of the College, guiding liturgies, faith-based programmes and pastoral outreach across the school community. As a Sacred Heart school we seek to educate the whole person as a responsible member of society, confident of personal worth, actively living out Christ’s call to know and share His Love.We aim to provide the environment for development in every sphere and are committed to understanding the values and aspirations of our young students. We encourage our pupils to make decisions in the light of Gospel values.
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“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”
Pastoral Support & Well-being Group
Led by Miss Campbell, our Well-being & Bereavement Group meets weekly, providing companionship, space to talk and quiet support. In November, the group leads the school’s Remembrance Prayer and pupils create Remembrance Stones for our dedicated Garden — fostering healing, respect and reflection. Our Remembrance trees in the garden are a visible symbol of our love and faith.
Faith in Action: Awards & Outreach
Our Chaplaincy works closely with Armagh Parish to provide meaningful leadership opportunities through the Muiredach Cross and the John Paul II Awards. These programmes invite pupils to step forward in faith, offering their time and talents in service to the Church and the wider community. Through ministry, volunteering, parish involvement and acts of charity, pupils grow in confidence, compassion and a deeper sense of their Christian mission.
Those who complete the Muiredach Cross or John Paul II Award are honoured in the inspirational setting of Armagh Cathedral, where they receive their awards in a celebration that highlights their commitment to service, prayer and leadership.
Our Chaplaincy is proud to support these young leaders, recognising in their dedication a living expression of the Sacred Heart goals — faith in action, service with love, and leadership rooted in Christ’s example, both within our school and far beyond it.
Faith Engagement at Key Stage Three
The InspiRe Group — led by Miss Bronagh McGrane, Head of KS3 RE — meets weekly with Key Stage 3 pupils. Their many activities include the Christmas Shoebox Appeal, feast-day displays, and making St Brigid’s crosses, all aimed at nurturing faith and a spirit of service from the earliest stages of school life.
Our Pioneer Group
Our Year 13 Pioneer Ambassadors run a weekly Pioneer Group for Year 8 pupils — a fun, social space that promotes a positive lifestyle and demonstrates how young people can enjoy life without relying on alcohol or drugs. At its core are faith, leadership, peer support, and making positive choices.
Our School Chapel, Prayer & Living Faith Programme
Our school chapel is a sacred and peaceful space, inviting pupils to pause, pray, and open their hearts to God’s presence. It is open every day for all staff and students, offering a quiet refuge to step away from the busyness of school life and rest in God. Throughout the year, KS3 Living Faith classes gather in this holy space to create and lead their own reflection services, deepening their spiritual journey.
For Sixth Form, the Living Faith Programme offers a deep and engaging experience that supports pupils in both their spiritual formation and personal development. Throughout the year, a range of guest speakers are invited to share their wisdom on faith, prayer, wellbeing, resilience, relationships, justice and the challenges facing young people today. These sessions encourage students to reflect on their own beliefs, strengthen their relationship with God and develop the emotional and spiritual tools needed to navigate real-life situations with confidence, compassion, and integrity.
Worship & Celebration: Masses & Special Liturgies
Faith remains at the heart of our Chaplaincy life. In Term 1, our whole-school Mass on the Feast of Mater Admirabilis brings the community together in a spirit of devotion and thanksgiving. Year 12 pupils gather for their pupil-led Examination Mass, offering their hopes and anxieties to God in prayer. Our Sixth Form concludes their journey with a deeply moving Leavers’ Mass, a moment of blessing, gratitude and sending-forth.
These sacred celebrations draw our school family together, strengthening our shared faith and filling our community with grace, unity and hope.
Our Ethos Group
Led by Mrs Deirdre Hegarty and Mrs Fiona Caldwell, our Ethos Team meets each week to help shape and nurture the spiritual life of our school. They play a central role in planning and leading our Ethos initiatives — whether guiding year-group assemblies, coordinating charity campaigns, or promoting our core values of compassion, service and faith in everyday school life.
Throughout the year, the team also works closely with Mount St Catherine’s Primary School, supporting pupils as they prepare for the sacraments. They help the young children deepen their understanding of faith and experience the joy of these important milestones.
Their dedication ensures that our school community continues to grow in kindness, spirituality and a shared sense of mission.
Our Christmas Food Bank Appeal
Every year, the Ethos Group leads our whole-school Foodbank Appeal, a cornerstone of our commitment to serving others. In the weeks leading up to Christmas and again during times of heightened need, the team organises collections, spreads awareness across year groups and encourages pupils and staff to contribute generously.
Their work ensures that families in our local community receive vital food and essential items during difficult periods. Beyond the practical support, the appeal nurtures a spirit of compassion, solidarity and social awareness within our school — reminding us that living out our faith and goal of community means responding with open hands and open hearts to those who need it most.
View some photos in the gallery below:
