Beyond Textbooks

Reconnecting

Celebrating our faith together on campus

rom the times of the early Church, the act of gathering has F been in and of itself a manifestation of faith. Wherever our spiritual journeys may take us, the company of others often enriches our lives.

At Eastside Catholic, our community has certainly felt the strain and loss of the pandemic and its impact on spiritual gatherings and we are overjoyed to gather in person as a community of faith once again.

Since students, faculty and staff have been back on campus, we have been blessed to celebrate the Sacraments in our Chapel once again, along with many other beloved school traditions. Priests from throughout the region including Fr. Justin Ryan, Fr. Augustine

Hilander, OP and Fr. Chad Green have been generous with their time to celebrate grade level Masses, as well as a Mass of Thanksgiving and

Mass celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Along with celebrating the eucharist, these priests have provided the opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation for our community.

Campus Minister Lynn Kittridge said, “These regular celebrations are keeping the heart of EC beating through the pandemic. I can’t wait until we can celebrate all together again as a community post-pandemic!”

EC’s Destiny retreat has been lovingly adapted to thrive in an oncampus format. In honor of our Touchstone of Servant Leadership, students, faculty and families have continued to support those in need in our region through programs such as Shoeboxes of Joy, Tent City meals and the Giving Tree.

As with all times of change, there are also opportunities for new seeds to grow. A group of adults meet on campus weekly for faith sharing and formation with the goal of furthering relationship building across all areas of our campus. Dubbed the Core Team, this gathering and time of sharing provides a foundation for faculty, staff and parents to serve all students.

Also new this year is our Youth Alpha Series. Youth Alpha (highlighted at right) is a series of videos designed to engage students in conversations about life, faith and Jesus. Adult leaders invite students from all grade levels and various spiritual backgrounds to participate in this inclusive, welcoming environment. All participants are encouraged to consider different topics related to the Christian faith thoughtfully. This series exemplifi es the importance of relationships both as a Touchstone of the school and our focus for the 2021-22 school year.

Youth Alpha Series

The course was created to outline the core principles of the Christian faith that all denominations agree on. Alpha creators believe that what unites us is infi nitely greater than what divides us. Youth Alpha is based on a 13-episode program of videos and guided discussions, with each episode covering a different topic of the Christian faith. Youth Alpha seeks to create a space where youth will be excited to engage in conversations about faith.

“I participated in the Alpha program at my parish and found it to be beneficial in enhancing my faith journey. In offering Youth Alpha to the students here at EC my hope is they will also find it valuable as they explore their own faith and learn how God is working in their lives.” —Joji Siegel, core team member

“[Youth Alpha] has made a difference in the way I view my time at school and it‘s caused me to slow down and think about what I do and say. I would say that it‘s a perfect opportunity to find other students who are interested in their faith. Even if you’re not religious, it‘s a great way to learn about, and build relationships with other classmates.” —Kate Goett, student participant

“In the short term, I hope this group continues to be a haven of advice, spiritual support and formation in our faith. In the long term, I hope it grows to provide more support in spirituality and faith for the whole community.” —Lynn Kittridge, campus minister