Catholic education seeks to give our children a holistic education for life and love, centred on the Catholic faith. In our CHIJ Schools, children are welcomed into a Christ-centred community where everybody works together for the promotion of truth, justice, freedom and love.
In this feature, four students from CHIJ Katong (Primary) and CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh) share their experiences of their Catholic education and how it has shaped them.
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Tiffany Lim
CHIJ Katong (Primary)
Being in a Catholic school is being in a Christ-like environment at all times. We pray as a school every morning and before dismissal. Praying gives us comfort, especially when we feel stressed.
During the examinations period, parents come together to pray the rosary for students. I am glad my mum is part of these prayer sessions. My mum was baptised a year after me and has been a good role model for me. Like my mum, I pray with and for my friends, and bring them to mass.
In addition to prayer, the eucharist is very important to me. It is sacred and holy, and helps me remember what happened during the last supper and Jesus’ sacrifice. Most important, receiving the eucharist gives me the assurance that God is always near.
My prayer for Catholic200SG is that God sees the Church coming together and continues to bless the Church. I pray God will open the eyes of those who do not know our faith; forgive those who sin against Him; and increase the numbers who go to church.
Jamie Joshua
CHIJ Katong (Primary)
Being in a Catholic school helps me stay grounded in the faith. Throughout the school year, we have the opportunity to pray, say the rosary together and celebrate mass. I feel blessed to be able to help lead my friends in prayers and do things together with them.
I like bringing non-Catholic friends to rosary sessions and to mass. I make it a point to explain the different parts of the mass. I enjoy listening to the homily as there is always something to learn.
The parables in the bible always teach me something. They remind me that Jesus is always with us and will carry us when we are in trouble, so I often use these parables to encourage my friends, even the non-Catholics, to trust that Jesus cares and will always help.
I encourage my friends to pray with me and on their own. I also pray that people will continue to attend mass and pray, and not drift away from God.
Jamie (on the right, in black) and Julia (on the left, in red)
Julia Joshua
CHIJ Katong (Primary)
Being able to attend mass and prayer sessions in a Catholic school makes me strong in my belief that God is always there and will never let me down.
God has given me a loving and caring family, along with many opportunities to learn new things. Being involved in school activities, especially when helping others, has enabled me to build a good relationship with God.
I am inspired by the lives of saints as I find their faith inspiring and there is always something I can learn from their life journey.
I pray that the Church will inspire people to stay grounded in their faith, and for those who are not Catholics, to get to know God and go to church.
Natalie Tong
CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh)
At CHIJ, we have a chapel that we can visit anytime. School houses are named after saints. For example, the yellow house is named ‘St Joan of 
Arc’, the saint who battled the enemy with courage. Just as St Joan asked God to guide her, I try to be courageous like her.
Whenever I have arguments with friends, and am not comfortable to share with my family, I will turn to God. When my siblings and parents have issues, I will always listen and try to talk to them to help make things better. Sometimes I will give suggestions. This takes courage and is like living the spirit of St Joan. In all things, I will turn to God for help. I believe God will make all things work out.
To continue to grow faith, I know I have to keep the values and live the values, be consistent in my daily prayers, meditate on the rosary, and read the bible regularly.
My prayer for the Church is that we can continue to have catholic education and the catholic community will continue to grow.
