Our School Parish

Our Parish Community: Our Lady of Compassion

A shared Journey in Faith 

At St Edward’s Catholic Primary School, our daily life and learning are rooted deeply in our faith. In all that we do, we look to our mission statement: ‘Following Christ we reach our goals’. A vital part of this journey is our vibrant, enduring partnership with Our Lady of Compassion Roman Catholic Church, situated just a short walk away on Green Street.

We believe that nurturing a child’s faith is a shared privilege between home, school, and parish. By working hand-in-hand with our parish community, we ensure our pupils have a strong spiritual foundation, empowering them to reach their full academic, personal, and spiritual potential.

Our Parish Priest, Rev. Britto Belevendran, is a familiar face at St Edward's. He regularly visits the school to lead assemblies, celebrate class liturgies, and offer spiritual guidance to our children, staff, and families.

Spiritual Life and School Liturgies

Prayer, worship, and reflection are at the very heart of St Edward’s. Our close proximity to the church allows our pupils to actively participate in the liturgical life of the parish:

  • Weekly Class Masses: Classes take turns attending the 09:15 weekday Mass. This offers our children an intimate opportunity to participate in the Liturgy of the Word, serve as readers, and lead the bidding prayers.
  • Whole-School Celebrations: We regularly gather as an entire school community at Our Lady of Compassion Church to mark major Feast Days, Holy Days of Obligation, Ash Wednesday, and our special end-of-term Thanksgiving Masses.
  • Diocesan Connections: As a proud part of the Diocese of Brentwood, St Edward’s works closely with the parish to host episcopal visits and celebrate milestones within the wider Catholic community.

Sacramental Preparation

As our children strive toward 'Following Christ we reach our goals', taking their next steps in the sacramental life of the Church is a beautiful milestone. St Edward’s closely supports the parish’s sacramental programmes:

  • First Holy Communion & Reconciliation: During Year 3, children are invited to join the parish-based preparation course. This program culminates in the beautiful celebration of their First Holy Communion at Our Lady of Compassion Church.
  • Family Engagement: Because faith begins at home, parents and carers are fully involved, attending preparation meetings hosted by the parish catechists to walk alongside their children on this holy journey.

Parish History & Heritage

Established in 1911, Our Lady of Compassion has been a beacon of faith in East London for well over a century. The beautiful church building, designed in the Italian Romanesque style with distinctive banded brickwork, holds deep historical roots in the local Upton Park community. For generations, the parish has served a diverse, welcoming congregation and has maintained a dedicated historical relationship with St Edward's Catholic Primary School.

Mass Times & Parish Services

All St Edward’s families are warmly invited to join the parish for regular worship and community events.

Holy Mass Timetable

Day

Mass Time

Sunday

08:30

Monday to Saturday

09:15

 

Devotions & Sacraments

  • Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession): Saturdays at 10:00 or by appointment with the priest.
  • Eucharistic Adoration: Available Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 18:00 in the St. John’s Room.
  • The Rosary: Prayed daily from Monday to Saturday immediately following the 09:15 Mass.

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