Sacraments

At the very center of the faith development of SMSA is the source and summit of our Catholic Faith, the Eucharist. Mass is our most important ritual and is intentionally focused on throughout the system. SMSA attends Mass as an entire K – 12 system once a month at Holy Family Catholic Church. Additionally, there are weekly opportunities for the 3rd – 12th grade students to celebrate the Mass in the Chapel of St. Mary: Our Lady of the Ledge Chapel. Opportunities for Reconciliation are also offered throughout the year in the form of Reconciliation services and individual Reconciliation offered by our Chaplain.

Prayer

Prayer is an essential aspect of the day to day processes at SMSA. When we pray we raise our minds and hearts to God. Every day begins with an all-system morning prayer, led by an individual homeroom or classroom, and is observed by every person in the building. Prayer can be heard throughout our system at the beginning of classes, before meals, as a part of athletics, in group meetings, and as a part of staff and faculty duties. Prayer, the practice of, and the development of, is central to the faith development of our students.

Retreats

SMSA Campus Ministry provides our high school students with a yearly retreat program giving our students the chance to grow in Christian self-understanding, the spirit of prayer and worship, and the Christian call to service. The retreats are considering to be essential to our students’ faith development. The retreats are offered each year of high school (Junior Confirmation retreat through home parish) and range from a single day to an overnight retreat experience.

Liturgical Ministries

Students throughout our system, especially in the high school, have the opportunity to serve their community through participation in liturgical ministries such as serving, reading, ushering, sacristan duties, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Trainings and regular schedules are provided for student to further strengthen their faith and understanding of the Sacraments.

Extra Curricular Faith Events

Throughout the year students will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of “out of school” faith events. From mission trips to faith conferences, SMSA seeks to supplement our religion curriculum with active faith opportunities. Opportunities will be communicated directly to the students throughout the year and as they are scheduled.