St. Patrick’s parents can expect a Catholic school that has a community climate permeated by the Gospel spirit of freedom and love. St. Patrick’s Catholic School is a place that recognizes each student as a unique person, loved by God, and in a lifelong process of development, learning, and faith. Teachers encourage each child’s efforts and see mistakes as opportunities for growth.
The Roman Catholic faith forms the foundation of all instruction and classroom interaction. The religion curriculum emphasizes the study of Catholic doctrine, scripture, moral and ethical formation, prayers, liturgy, and worship.
School Masses
The school community comes together every Wednesday and on Holy Days to celebrate Mass with our parish family. Each grade has the opportunity to host the Mass, which includes proclaiming the readings, writing the petitions, serving as gift bearers and altar servers. The liturgy is enhanced with singing led by our school choir and cantors. Our elementary students learn the Mass responses, songs, and appropriate behavior from their junior high prayer buddies.
Prayer Life & Morning Assembly
A relationship with God is developed with regular and varied prayer throughout the day. All students pray in the morning, mid-day, and in the afternoon. All students learn the traditional Catholic prayers and families are encouraged to pray them as well. Students and teachers gather every morning with the pastor and/or parochial vicar of St. Patrick’s Church to listen to the Gospel, pray, celebrate birthdays, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. During the time gathered as a school community, students offer petitions, and we highlight important events occurring for families in our school community. This is a wonderful opportunity to become centered as a school community as we begin our day living in our faith.
Spiritual Profile of a St. Patrick's School Graduate
He/She:
- Has developed a potential for a life-long relationship with God
- Lives and promotes Catholic values
- Seeks opportunities to provide service to others
- Has a strong moral and ethical conscience
“St. Patrick’s School is a very special place because of the people. The teachers are phenomenal and they truly care about their students. It brings me such joy to watch my son grow and be nurtured by a community that loves him. I love watching our Catholic faith in action – the students pray together and they learn how to serve those most in need.”
-Gina (Mother of Tommy ’24, Molly ’26, and Jack ’29)
Buddy Program
The closeness of our school community is reinforced through our “Buddy Program,” where younger students are paired with older students for Mass, special activities, academic learning opportunities, prayer services and school-wide events for the duration of their time at St. Patrick’s. The buddy program provides opportunities across the ages to develop strong, caring friendships. Our older students develop into strong leaders modeling kindness, compassion, love, respect, and responsibility for their buddies. The buddy program also supports socioemotional and academic growth in the younger students and fosters responsibility, builds community, and often leads to lasting friendships.
Reconciliation, Holy Communion, & Confirmation
These sacraments are the most compelling of our traditions as they are the first participatory sacraments for our younger children. After much instruction and preparation, our second grade students and their families join together to celebrate Mass and receive Jesus in the sacrament of the Eucharist. It is a time of joy, thanksgiving and reflection as these boys and girls participate more fully in the liturgy and come to understand the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Student in the school receive this sacrament within the parish mass alongside students learning in the St. Patrick’s Religious Education Program. Beginning in second grade, our students have multiple opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the school year as offered by our parish priests especially during Advent and Lent.
The sacrament of Confirmation takes place for children in grade eight when they assume their place as “adults” in the Catholic faith.
Stations of the Cross
As part of their Lenten prayer, students reflect on the Stations of the Cross as a school community.
May Crowning
The St. Patrick’s School community honors Mary, our Mother, with a Mass and May Crowning. In gratitude for her many graces and the intercession of our Blessed Mother, our second grade students crown Mary and make an offering of flowers. Our eighth grade students lead the parish family and school community in the recitation of the rosary.
Jesus Day
A second grade tradition where our first communicants participate in a mini-retreat day with their parents. The time together preparing for the sacrament of Holy Communion is made most memorable by the banners that each student proudly makes representing the importance of the Eucharist in their own lives, and presents in church on the day of their First Holy Communion.
Adoration
This spiritual event fosters devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Each class spends time in prayer before the Eucharist.
Vocations
St. Patrick’s School maintains a religious presence through instruction and visits by the priests and deacons from our parish. Our eighth grade students attend the annual Archdiocesan Vocations Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Seventh and Eighth graders attend a biennial field trip to the Servants of the Lord (convent), Saint John Paul II Seminary, and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Our 4th grade class visits the Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton and the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes at Mount St. Mary’s.