Spiritual Life
Catholic faith and values are integrated into the
life and culture of the community and support the spiritual, emotional, and
social development of each student. Students are guided into becoming active
Catholics with self-respect, respect for others, and a reverence for all of
God’s creation.
- There is a comprehensive religion curriculum and Education in Virtue program taught in grades TK-8.
- Each day begins with the morning
prayer.
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The students attend 8:30 a.m. Mass every Friday
and on Holy Days of Obligation during the school year. Students in grades 2
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8 rotate weekly
preparing for the Mass. They have the
opportunity to be lectors and are responsible for the Bible readings,
responsorial psalms, prayers of the faithful, singing, altar serving and
offertory processions. In addition, the
school choir performs at these Masses.
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To promote fellowship and nurture a sense of community
students are grouped into Faith Families. Each family consists of a few students
from each grade. These “families” attend Mass together every week and
participate in various group activities during the school year.
- Preparation for the reception of
the Sacraments is part of the curriculum in Second and Seventh and Eighth grade , including special Masses for parents and students. Our Second grade
students are given in-depth instruction preparing for the Rite of
Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. In eighth grade students are also given in-depth instructions as they prepare to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation. A Bishop is the celebrant. The 7th
& 8th grade students volunteer 20-hours of community service as part of their preparation
to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
- During the seasons of Advent and
Lent, the students attend a Reconciliation Service.
- Collectively, the students pray
the Angelus or Regina Coeli at Noon.
- Students in grades TK-8 participate in the annual
Christmas Pageant. The pageant is a long-standing, treasured tradition celebrated
in the evening during the third week in December.
- The Seventh Grade students solemnly re-enact the Stations
of the Cross to St. Mel School students, families and parishioners during
Holy Week, including Good Friday.
- The students participate in the following special
seasonal celebrations: Blessing of the Animals, the Lighting of the Advent
wreath, the Stations of the Cross during Lent,
Recitation of the Holy Rosary, and the May Crowning.
- Our students have many opportunities to be active
participants in the celebration of the Mass. One very special way is
through altar service. Beginning in the 5th grade, the students are
invited to train as altar servers. The training is done under the
supervision of a volunteer member of the parish.
