ST. JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL

Spiritual Program

We are happy to have this opportunity to provide you with an overview of the spiritual program at Saint Joseph High School.  Our purpose is to instill and encourage a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and the Christian lifestyle through the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.  The Spiritual Life Office of the school combines the work of the Director of Campus Ministry and Spiritual Director into a unified whole.  The goal of each activity we offer is to provide the school with an atmosphere which lends itself to spiritual growth as well as to provide each student with the strength to walk the journey of faith with conviction and selfless love.  Any student is welcome to join Campus Ministry any time throughout the year.

The following is an illustration of current and planned efforts:

• Our Religious Studies Department is increasing its efforts to provide all students with a curriculum that both instructs and challenges a student's spiritual development.  The Religious Studies Department, along with the Spiritual Life Office, work together for the betterment of each student's spiritual life.
• We offer various liturgical celebrations throughout the year: Daily Mass is offered at 8:30 each morning in the Alumni Chapel (8:15 on early dismissal days).  Each Religious Studies class is invited to arrange for a special Mass or other liturgy during the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent.  The entire school community celebrates a Mass of the Holy Spirit in September, All Saints Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Catholic Schools Week, Ash Wednesday, St. Joseph's Day, Holy Week Liturgy, an Ascension Thursday Liturgy, and other various prayer services.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered to students throughout the year. 
• An extensive retreat program for all four years is offered to provide students with an opportunity for more extensive spiritual growth.  Retreat themes include: self-awareness and Christian identity; values clarification and understanding God's Word; good and evil and how to affirm the good and avoid the evil; conscience, morality, and the courage to be a Christian.
• School-wide projects include the following: Senior Citizen Prom, a food collection at Thanksgiving; the Giving Tree at Christmas; almsgiving during the Lenten Season for a variety of needy organizations; St. Charles Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity, Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine, Southbury Training School, Catholic Concerns Day in Hartford, and March for Life (D.C.).
• All students are required to complete fifteen hours of community service each year outside of the school day.  Please see SERVICE REQUIREMENT section.
  
• Students are always welcome to see the Director of Campus Ministry and/or the Spiritual Director for individual guidance or personal concerns.

In the age when our Catholic Christian beliefs and values are being challenged, we strive to enable the students to remain strong in their faith journey.  We hope and pray that our work will be complemented by spirituality in the home.  All must work together to foster spiritual growth and love for all our brothers and sisters.

Sr. Gabriela Davila - Director of Campus Ministry

Rev. Christopher J. Samele - Spiritual Director/Chaplain

Service Requirement

• Each student must complete fifteen (15) hours of community service per academic year.  Upon graduation, the diploma reflects not only academic achievement, but also sixty (60) hours of community service completed.
• The “Service Requirement” forms are due at the end of the third quarter.
• The students are to hand them in to Fr. Samele. Service forms must be accurate and complete; they must include all the proper signatures and dates.
• The student will also hand in an essay on their experience doing the community service (500 words) to their Religion teacher.
• The onus for fulfilling this responsibility lies with the student and the parent.
• At the end of the 3^rd quarter a grade of pass (P) or (F) fail will be given to each student.  Pass means the service hours are complete and the form has been properly filled out and handed in.  Failure indicates that the service hours are incomplete, and the student may not pass on to the next grade level until they are completed. 

**** This is not an all inclusive list. However, if you are in doubt, please see Fr. Samele for clarification so that will not be a problem at the end of the year.

Revised September 2011