SCHOOL MINISTRY
School Ministry is dedicated to teaching and helping others to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The vision of School Ministry is that all members of the school community will become actively involved in working for the improvement of the human condition, bringing about God's Kingdom and a life of prayer. In order to accomplish this, we invite members of the community to become active in a variety of areas.
One of the key features of our School Ministry program is a comprehensive retreat program for students, parents and faculty. Retreat is understood as time away from the pressures of daily life to focus on the essentials of our relationships with God and others. In order to build community and model for our students the importance of retreat and prayer, we offer optional retreats for faculty and parents. Eighth and ninth grade students attend day-long retreats. Sophomores attend a day- long retreat to which their parents are invited. This is a wonderful opportunity for students and parents to spend quality time together. The juniors attend Kairos, a two and a half day retreat that explores God's great love for the students. The seniors attend an overnight retreat in the fall and a Day of Reflection in the spring. Retreats are peer-led by seniors who have received extensive training as part of the School Ministry Team.
In addition to the retreat program, students are involved in monthly liturgies and many prayer experiences. They serve as musicians, choir members, readers, ushers, gift bearers and Eucharistic Ministers.
It is our goal that the students develop a greater love and desire for participation in the life of their Church. We recognize that the high school community is a temporary one and that the student's faith community offers lifetime support and guidance. It is for this reason that we fully support and encourage our Catholic students' participation in the communal and Sacramental life of their parish.
As a Catholic school, we are committed to providing opportunities for young people to challenge themselves beyond academic excellence. To honor this commitment, we require students to perform community service each of their years at PCHS. The variety, intensity and requirements are commensurate with the abilities of each grade level.
During eighth grade, students perform service to the PCHS community on an "as needed" basis to include setting up for school assemblies, serving at school functions and coordinating the Christmas giving program and Bishop's Appeal. The purpose is to involve the students as quickly as possible in the life of the school. As a class, they will also choose a simple activity to promote global awareness such as adopting a foster child.
The ninth grade dedicates 20 hours of service to their families. The purpose is to increase the students' sense of responsibility to their family, and to increase their awareness of the many ways they can be of service to others. They will complete the service during the term they take Religious Studies.
The tenth grade participates in community service projects within the Religious Studies Classes. They also assist various community agencies. The purpose is to expose the students to the variety of community needs on a local and global level.
Juniors and Seniors each complete 20+ hours of service at an agreed upon site, with assistance from the School Ministry Coordinator. They complete these hours once a week during the Religious Studies classes for a full term. This service should provide the student with the opportunity to explore potential job sites as well as make a significant contribution to a community service organization. In addition to the service hours, students will be expected to write a reflection paper at the end of their service.
Email: schoolministry@peninsulacatholic.com
Link to New American Bible
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/index.htm