Activities
Parents, students, faculty, and staff are all part of Spiritual Life at Saint Jude. This unique program was started in 1983 by Saint Jude parents, as a way for the school and parent communities to share in our children’s faith formation. Our faith comes alive and is celebrated through various opportunities for prayer, service, and spiritual growth. As a special component of our school community, Spiritual Life is one of the many things that make Saint Jude such a wonderful place!
Spiritual Life Classroom Enrichment (SLCE): Parent volunteers for Kindergarten through Fifth grade rotate visiting the classroom several times throughout the school year to lead a craft or activity with the children. These volunteer opportunities are priceless because they are one of the few chances you have to be involved with your child in their classroom. This aspect of Spiritual Life gives parents the opportunity to directly participate in their child’s faith formation, live liturgically, and learn more about their faith together.
Eighth Grade Rosaries: Every year Spiritual Life gives beautiful, handmade, knotted rosaries to the 8th grade graduates. These special rosaries are made by parent volunteers with prayerful, loving hearts – full of hope for the graduates' bright futures. No experience is necessary – we are happy to teach anyone who wants to learn how to make them! Look out for our next Rosaries and Rosé event where we will come together in fellowship and work on them together.
Fathers in Faith/Mothers in Hope: Provides opportunities for the men and women in our school to join together in fellowship and deepen their faith.
Blaze and Ignite - A monthly bible study for both middle school girls (Blaze) and boys (Ignite) facilitated by middle school faculty with the support and assistance of parent volunteers. Through this program, the goal is for each middle school student to know their identity is grounded as God’s beloved daughter and son.
May Crowning: This beautiful tradition of devotion to our Blessed Mother begins with a rosary procession at school and continues into the church. Classroom bouquets of flowers are placed around the statue of Mary, and eighth grade students crown Our Lady with a beautiful crown of flowers. Our school community enjoys a special ceremony of music, readings, and prayers to honor Mary.
Parent Rosary / The Family Rosary: Parents gather once a month to pray the rosary together for the intentions of our community, students, and staff. Also, Spiritual Life will be providing bags with The Family Rosary to circulate to all Saint Jude families during October as a way to honor Our Blessed Mother during the month of the Rosary. Each child will be given a Rosary in a bag with an insert for explanation and instruction. Prayer is the greatest gift of love and support that we can share.
Mothers’ Retreat: The Mothers’ Retreat is a unique opportunity for school mothers to gather in faith and fellowship. Mothers will enjoy Mass, a speaker, beautiful music and reflection, optional Reconciliation/Adoration, and lunch.
Sunshine: Parent volunteers from each class help support fellow Saint Jude families who are experiencing a life change; whether it be a death in the family, a hospital stay or a new baby, the Sunshine committee helps coordinate support throughout the school year.
Nativity Sets: Spiritual Life parent volunteers started this special program in 2000, and the tradition continues today. During Spiritual Life Classroom Enrichment (SLCE) lessons in December, students Pre-K through 5th grade create pieces to add to their own personal Nativity Sets: Pre-Kindergarten (Star), Kindergarten (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph), 1st grade (the Three Wise Men), 2nd grade (the Shepherd and the Sheep), 3rd grade (the Angel), 4th grade (the Camel), and 5th grade (the Stable).
Prayer Requests: Parents, faculty, and staff can submit prayer requests for loved ones. These prayer requests will be emailed to the Saint Jude community (parents, faculty, and staff who have signed up to receive prayer requests) and will be prayed for at the next Parent Rosary. Also, parents, faculty, and staff can sign up to receive prayer requests via email. Check out SchoolSpeak for more Information and to sign-up to receive these prayer requests.
First Communion Gifts: Every year Spiritual Life gives First Communicants a special gift in May to commemorate this important sacrament and milestone in their Catholic faith journey.
Spiritual Spotlight: At the beginning of each month, Spiritual Life will post a newsletter with the monthly prayer and reflection on SchoolSpeak; our hope is to allow our community a brief pause in our busy lives, inspire spiritual reflection, and encourage liturgical living in our homes.
Prayer Angels: Students, staff, and parents are invited to offer a special intention to our patron, Saint Jude. Prayer Angels are then displayed at a select school Mass offered for those intentions.
Student Prayers: Throughout the year, each student (by grade) will have the opportunity to write a prayer and read it during the Saint Jude morning news show. Families are encouraged to come and stand with their children in the Media Center as they read their prayer.
EMHC/Altar Server Coordinators: Altar server coordinator organizes altar servers for all school Masses throughout the year - alternating to ensure each student has an opportunity to serve. Parent volunteers who are trained as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) will serve at school Masses as needed.
Adopt-a-Seminarian / Elijah Cup: Each class adopts a Seminarian, prays for them, and sends them cards of well wishes. At school Masses, classes are given the Elijah Cup, and are asked to pray for vocations while keeping the cup in their classroom for a period of time.
