Catholic Environment
The Catholic Faith is the foundation for everything that takes place at the school. All of the teachers are Catholic. Many teachers are certified catechists, and others are working toward their catechist’s certification.
Prayer is a vital part of daily life at the school. Students are exposed to a variety of prayer forms, and they memorize prayers at each grade level. Students learn religious songs and prayers in Spanish. Grade 3 has a special devotion to the Psalms. In Grades 6-8, students do scripture study three days per week.
Weekly school liturgy is planned by the teachers, students and pastor. Students and staff take an active part in the preparation for the celebration of the liturgical seasons by praying together as a total faith community. Parents are invited, and many attend, the weekly school Masses.
Sacramental preparation is done in school in conjunction with parish Faith Formation. Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is done in Grade 2. Students in Grades 7 and 8 prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, which they receive in their freshman year of high school.
As a Catholic community, the school emphasizes the importance of service to others through a unique Ministry Curriculum. Through this program, students are introduced to a different community outreach program during each year of schooling. Students are educated about, and provide specific support for, such local ministries as God’s Kitchen, Diocesan Refugee Resettlement Program, Ronald McDonald House, Degage’, Hope Network, Guardian Angel Home, DeVos Children’s Hospital, St. Ann’s Home, and In the Image. The school as a whole undertakes several additional service projects throughout the course of the school year. Service projects include financial aid to missions, food and Christmas gifts to local needy families, and fund-raisers for good causes.
The school seeks to model Christ in all words and actions, whether in the classroom or on the playground, with the goal of fulfilling the mission of being a Christ-centered community of learners. |
