Living Our Faith
At St. Mel School, we recognize the value and dignity of all people and acknowledge our responsibility to be good stewards of the gifts God has given us.
Catholic faith and values are integrated into the life and culture of the community and support the spiritual, emotional, and social development of each student. Students are guided into becoming active Catholics with self-respect, respect for others, and a reverence for all of God’s creation.
Disciples of Christ: Education in Virtue
- We offer a comprehensive religion curriculum as well as “Disciple of Christ: Education in Virtue” program taught in grades TK-8.
Prayer
- Each day begins with a whole school morning prayer.
- Collectively, the students pray the Angelus or Regina Coeli at Noon.
All School Masses & Faith Families
- Students in TK through Eighth grade attend 8:30 a.m. Mass each Thursday. Grades 2nd through 8th rotate on a weekly basis preparing for the Mass. Students have the opportunity to be lectors and commentators and be responsible for the readings, responsorial psalms, prayers of the faithful, singing, altar serving, and offertory processions. In addition, the school choir sings at these Masses.
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Students also attend 8:30 a.m. Mass on Holy Days of Obligation that occur during the school year.
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To build community, our Children attend mass with their “Faith Families”. Faith Families offer older students an opportunity to learn mentoring and model positive behavior, and it provides our younger students with the attention and support from the older students.
- Parents are always invited and encouraged to attend school Masses.
The Sacraments
Preparation for the reception of the Sacraments is part of the curriculum in Second and Seventh and Eighth grade , including special Masses for parents and students. Our Second grade students are given in-depth instruction preparing for the Rite of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. In eighth grade students are also given in-depth instructions as they prepare to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation. A Bishop is the celebrant. The 7th & 8th grade students volunteer 20-hours of community service as part of their preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Advent, Lent, and Special Celebrations
- During the seasons of Advent and Lent, the students attend a Reconciliation Service.
- Students in grades Preschool-8 participate in the annual Christmas Pageant. The pageant is a long-standing, treasured tradition celebrated during the third week in December.
- The Seventh Grade students solemnly re-enact the Stations of the Cross for the students, families and parishioners during Holy Week, including Good Friday.
- The students participate in the following special seasonal celebrations: Blessing of the Animals, the Lighting of the Advent wreath, the Stations of the Cross and Benediction during Lent, Recitation of the Holy Rosary, and the May Crowning
Altar Servers
- Our students have many opportunities to be active participants in the celebration of the Mass. One very special way is through altar service. Beginning in the 5th grade, the students are invited to train as altar servers. The training is done under the supervision of a volunteer member of the parish.