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!
Blaze and Ignite - A monthly bible study for both middle school boys and girls facilitated by middle school faculty with the support and assistance with parent volunteers. Through this program, the goal is for each middle school student to know their identity is grounded as God’s beloved son and daughter.
Eighth Grade Rosaries – Every year Spiritual Life gives beautiful, handmade, knotted rosaries to the eighth grade graduates. These special rosaries are made by 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!
Elijah Cup / Adopt a Seminarian – 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. Also, each class adopts a Seminarian, prays for them, and sends them cards of well wishes. (For the Elijah Cup schedule, please see the School Mass Schedule in the Spiritual Life section of SchoolSpeak.)
Fathers in Faith – An opportunity for the men in our school to join together in fellowship and learn more about their faith. (TBD-winter)
First Communion Gifts – Every year Spiritual Life gives the First Communicants a special gift to commemorate this important sacrament and milestone in their Catholic faith journey. (May 2024)
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 prayer, to honor Mary. (May 1, 2024)
Monthly Reflection – At the beginning of each month, Spiritual Life will post a prayer, reflection, or short story to the Spiritual Life section of SchoolSpeak, to hopefully allow us a brief pause in our busy lives, and inspire some spiritual reflection.
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, Reconciliation (optional), and lunch. The retreat usually occurs in the spring, during Lent.
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 in kindergarten-5th grade create and add pieces to their own personal Nativity Sets: 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).
Parent Rosary – Parents gather once a month to pray the rosary together for the intentions of our community, students, and staff. Also, as part of our devotion to Mary during the month of May, students will bring home a class rosary bag to pray with their family. Prayer is the greatest gift of love and support that we can share. (Rosary dates and times are listed on the school calendar and can also be found in the Spiritual Life section of SchoolSpeak.)
Prayer Angels – Students, faculty, 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. (October)
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/or the prayer requests will be prayed for at the next Parent Rosary. Also, parents, faculty, and staff can sign up to receive prayer requests via email. (For more information, please visit the Spiritual Life section of SchoolSpeak.)
Spiritual Life Classroom Enrichment (SLCE) – A team of parent volunteers for each kindergarten-5th grade classroom rotates visiting the class 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. All activities are pre-planned, and step-by-step instructions are given to the volunteers.
Student Prayers – Throughout the year, each student 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. (For a schedule by grade, please see the Student Prayers Schedule in the Spiritual Life section of SchoolSpeak.)
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.
Please contact us if you would like more information about any of these Spiritual Life programs. We are excited for you to find out which part of Spiritual Life appeals to you and your family!
- Molly Dean and Lili Ray Co-Vice Presidents Spiritual Life 2023/2024 ptaspirituallife@saintjude.net
