Campus Ministry & Religious Development of Students
Spiritual formation and the imparting of religious information in an academic setting are the goals of the religious program of the Catholic school. Providing and supporting such a program is the responsibility of the school faculty under the spiritual leadership of the principal. Accordingly, there needs to be provision for students and teachers from all academic areas to participate in the planning and implementing of the various religious activities of the school. Members of the Religious Studies Department and the Campus Ministry program will serve as catalysts and assume leadership roles in relationship to these activities. Nevertheless, all teachers are to be concerned with the religious formation of youth.
Class time, assignments and accountability for religious studies is comparable to that of other academic areas. Religion courses are to be graded and to receive full academic credit. Students are graded on academic achievement in religion and comprehension of subject matter and not on their religious affiliation, personal belief or the practice of their faith.
The Eucharist
The Eucharist is generally celebrated once a month for the entire student body. The scheduled date and time for these celebrations is found on the school calendar. Mass and/or prayer is also celebrated on other special occasions such as class retreats, holy days of obligation and in preparation for various athletic events.
Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered during Advent and Lent to the entire student body. Students desiring to receive the Sacrament at other times may schedule an appointment with the Campus Minister who will contact the Pastor at St. Anthony Parish.
Campus Ministry
St. Anthony High School students are regularly reminded of the importance of their relationship with God, their families, friends, and others in the greater community. Our Christian faith is communicated in the Catholic tradition and students of all faiths are invited to actively participate in the goals and programs of the Campus Ministry Program.
The Campus Ministry Center is one of the most significant places on the high school campus. Here students and faculty can gather to visit, relax, share their faith, and prepare for retreats. There are a number of programs sponsored by the Campus Ministry Center, which promote the philosophy of St. Anthony High School. These programs include:
- Christian Service Graduation Requirement
- Retreats
- Liturgical Celebration
- Other activities
Christian Service
The purpose of the Christian Service Program is to teach the principle that Christian life goes beyond the mastery of concepts and beliefs contained in the school’s theology courses. The Gospel of Salvation should elicit from each Christian a response to God’s love. Jesus taught and the Church has steadfastly maintained that an appropriate response to the Gospel is rooted in performing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, as well as works of social justice. (cf. Matthew 25:31 ff)
Community service hours are to be completed by the date listed on the school calendar. Each student is required to fulfill a designated number of Christian service hours. It is as follows:
- Fifty percent (50%) of the Christian service work must involve direct interpersonal work, either one-on-one work or group work.
- While we encourage the entire number of designated hours to be done on an interpersonal basis, up to, but not exceeding, fifty percent (50%) of those hours may be performed through some non-personal work. These include the following: walk/jog-a-thons for charitable causes; parish festivals, fiestas; performing some liturgical function in parish/church (serving, ushering, lectoring, music ministry); church youth group councils/coordinating and organizing those events. Also included in this fifty percent (50%) would be activities, which involve service to St. Anthony. These activities must be sponsored through the Parent Association or Athletic Booster Club.
To prevent Christian service from becoming an extension of insulation, the project must go beyond one’s family, immediate or otherwise. Work must be done at a non-profit charitable organization.
- Freshmen: 25 hours
- Sophomores: 25 hours
- Juniors: 25 hours
- Seniors: 25 hours
- Students are expected to accomplish their Christian Service hours during the school year. They may petition to the Principal for permission to accomplish their hours during the summer prior to the next school year in unusual circumstances.
- Transfer students entering after the beginning of the school year will be required to do at least half the number of required hours for that year.
The number of Christian service hours required of each student is considered only a minimum. St. Anthony wholeheartedly encourages each student to respond to the gospel message of service by participating in an even greater measure than is asked.
All community service hours must be fulfilled in the public sector. (For example, through some public agency such as the YMCA, The American Red Cross, public youth programs, senior citizen homes, community soup kitchens, parish organizations, etc.) A list of referral agencies will be provided. All hours must be verified by means of a form provided by the Campus Ministry Office. In addition, St. Anthony will provide a number of school-sponsored events, both on and off campus. These will be announced throughout the course of the school year.
Note: Your Religious Education Teacher Will Issue Supervisor Evaluation Forms in Class.
Retreats
Grades:
- 9: 1 day retreat
- 10: 1 day retreat
- 11: 2 day retreat
- 12: 3 day retreat
The school sponsors annual retreats. Arrangements are made in Religion Classes and parent permission slips are needed for retreats off campus. This is a requirement for all students.
Teachers, Counselors, Retreat Leaders and other school personnel will respect the verbal or written confidences of students, except in cases where the health or safety of the student or others is involved.
