From the first moment that a student sets foot in a Catholic school, he or she ought to have the impression of entering a new environment, one illumined by the light of faith and having its own unique characteristics . . . an environment permeated with the Gospel spirit of love and freedom.
Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School
The Congregation for Catholic Education, Rome, 1988.
It has been said that the spirit of Catholic education is a quality that is “caught, not taught.” Catholic education is more than the sum of its parts. Its spirit permeates the interactions of students, teachers, staff, coaches, and club moderators in every venue, every day. Around the campus, students see reminders of the essential spirit of the school, both in physical signs and symbols and in less tangible ways that students and adults work together.
An “environment illumined by the light of faith” can light a spark in any young person of passion and commitment.
At St. Patrick-St. Vincent, we draw on our strong Catholic identity to offer spiritual tools and guidance that a secular school cannot:
- A strong Religious Studies curriculum that helps to deepen each student’s personal faith life and values system
- A Christian Service program which helps students develop a mindset about bringing comfort and hope to the wider world, particularly those who are in need
- Regular opportunities for the community to join together in prayer
- On-going opportunities for faculty and staff to grow in their own faith as role models for the young people we serve
- An active partnership with parents, as they guide their children through their academic, spiritual, and character development