Education in the Faith CAMPUS MINISTRY EXPANDS MISSION INTEGRATION AND PROGRAMMING

Education in the Catholic faith is at the core of an Academy of the Holy Names curriculum. An Academy education provides students with spiritually rich experiences that ground them in God’s love, the SNJM core values and the gospel call to be disciples of Christ. Through mission integration and campus ministry programming, students engage with faith formation in the classroom and through hands-on experiences during retreats and service opportunities. An exciting new addition to the 2021-22 school year, programming expanded to include a peer ministry class for seniors.

The inaugural year of the peer ministry course began as a collaboration between the mission and ministry and the high school theology departments to prepare students for leadership in the faith. The class integrates the senior theology curriculum with the space for students to deepen their baptismal call to discipleship and service to others.

Interested students apply for the yearlong peer ministry course at the end of their junior year by answering personal reflection questions and participating in two rounds of interviews. Olivia Book ’23 chose to pursue peer ministry to allow for a deeper focus on her faith. “I’m a firm believer that if you believe in something, you lead by example. I feel this class allows me to live out my faith and exemplify the core values that I stand for,” said Book.

During middle and high school retreats, peer ministers serve as group facilitators, activity leaders, and most importantly, witnesses to their faith. Peer ministers learn to communicate God’s work in their life through the writing of witness talks. The process begins over the summer during their peer ministry retreat. The witness talks are then shared at middle and high school retreats to inspire and guide classmates on their faith journeys.

Though only seniors may take the peer ministry course, Book says the Academy of the Holy Names has helped prepare her for the opportunity since she started at AHN in 6th grade. “Integrating faith into your everyday life and being able to communicate with your classmates about it was something I had never experienced before. Talking with my best friends and teachers and having those open conversations allowed me to explore my faith in ways I might not have made time for outside of school. Whether it’s involvement in Mass, Adoration or through service, the Academy always provides opportunities to nourish your faith. It’s never forced upon you, but it’s always encouraged.”

“One of the specialties with the lower school retreats is the parent engagement and helping them be a part of their child’s faith formation. Family is a core component of our community of faith, love, and understanding, so I think that was a key part of the retreat experience.”

Middle School Retreats Lower School Retreats

AHN’s mission and ministry department continues to revise and improve retreats for our middle schoolers in grades 5-8. Retreats are tied directly to the religion curriculum. In the spring, students spent mornings in spiritual reflection, Mass, prayer and activities related to the retreat’s theme. In the afternoon, students engaged in service projects on campus in keeping with Catholic social justice teaching.

• 5th Grade: Jesus, the Bread of Life

• 6th Grade: The Beatitudes

• 7th Grade: The Holy Trinity

• 8th Grade: Trust

During the 2021-22 school year, the mission and ministry department explored ways to serve the spiritual development of younger members of our faith. The team developed half-day retreats for lower school students, which included their theme as part of the religion curriculum for each grade. Students enjoyed arts and crafts, songs, activities and skits. Parents were invited to participate in the entire retreat with their children.

• Pre-K: Knowing and Serving God Through Our Senses

• Kindergarten: God in Creation

• 1st Grade: Jesus, the Good Shepherd

• 2nd Grade: Preparation for First Holy Communion

• 3rd Grade: Water in Our Faith Journey

• 4th Grade: Evangelism