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Spiritual Development Plan
2011- 2012
St. Philomena School
Bringing Faith to Life and Life to Faith
Statement of Faith
As Catholic Christians, we believe that we are made in the image of God to know, love, and serve Him; and, to live with Him eternally in Heaven (CCC 1721). As a faith community, we share in the sacramental life of the Church and daily support one another on our spiritual journey. As a school community, we are committed to “bringing faith to life and life to faith.”
Foundation
“Becoming a disciple of Jesus means accepting the invitation to belong to God’s family, to live in conformity with His way of life: ‘For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.’’ (CCC 2233)
As a faith community, the students and staff at St. Philomena School are active participants in the sacramental life of the Church and daily support one another on their spiritual journey. Our relationship with God is not only individual, but shared. Through prayer, the Sacraments, and service we work together to build God’s Kingdom on earth, and challenge one another to grow in holiness.
Prayer
“The tradition of Christian prayer is one of the ways in which the tradition of faith takes shape and grows…” (CCC 2651)
Prayer is essential to the faith formation of our students, as well as the continued spiritual growth of our staff. We lift our hearts and minds to God by participating in the rich tradition of Catholic prayers and devotions. As a school community, we begin our day with prayer during morning announcements, offer the Meal Prayer and Playground Prayer at lunch time, and end our day with prayer in individual classrooms. We offer our thoughts, words, and actions to Jesus Christ our Savior each day. Opportunities for Prayer at St. Philomena School include:
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Morning prayer with whole school
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Weekly all-school Mass, where our Children’s Choir provides music and students take an active role in the Liturgy.
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Prayer Services during the year: Advent, Lent, Rosary (Catholic Schools’ Week)
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Eucharistic Adoration in our Chapel
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Faculty Prayer service each month
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Staff Religion CEU opportunities
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5th grade All Saints Day Mass, and Saints in Heaven presentation
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5th grade Blessing of Bibles and prayer service in October
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Catechetical Sunday and teachers’ blessing in September
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Stations of the Cross during Lent
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Mass to honor Veterans from our parish and community in November
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Mass to honor fathers from our parish during March
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May Crowning and Mass to honor mothers from our parish in May
Sacraments
“Spiritual progress tends toward ever more intimate union with Christ. This union is called "mystical" because it participates in the mystery of Christ through the sacraments - "the holy mysteries" - and, in him, in the mystery of the Holy Trinity. God calls us all to this intimate union with him…” (CCC 2014)
“The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life:1 they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian's life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life.” (CCC 1210)
Persons encounter Christ in the Sacraments. The Sacraments, most especially the Eucharist, are the source and strength of our Catholic community and are essential to the life and growth of the Church and its members.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of the Eucharist are celebrated and received in the 2nd grade. Preparation is ongoing throughout this year, and culminates with an age-appropriate Jesus Day retreat for our students the day before receiving Jesus for the first time in the Eucharist.
The Sacrament of Confirmation is conferred to students in the 8th grade. Preparation is also ongoing throughout the year, intensifying in the second semester. The confirmandi participate in the Signing of the Senses Mass in November, make an Art and Faith pilgrimage to area churches (including our Cathedral) in the Fall, and participate in a full-day, off-site retreat just a week before their Confirmation date. Students also are required to perform service work for the community.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated each week for students in Grades 3 through 8 on a rotating schedule by grade level.
During Holy Week, we take students from Grades 6, 7, and 8 to the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral.
Service
“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12: 6-8)
By virtue of their Baptism, all Catholics are called to discipleship that is manifest in loving service to others. We find true union with Christ when we give our heart to Him in our daily activities, whether it is at our school or in our community.
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Each grade level performs works of service within our school community throughout the year
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Canned food drive for charity in November
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Parish Sponsor-a-Family (Giving Tree) in December
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Serving at daily and Sunday Masses
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Students in 7th and 8th grade are required to perform at least 12 hours of community service each year. Opportunities for these grades include working at Missionaries of Charity Soup Kitchen in Peoria, serving at Mass, and volunteering at various locations in the Peoria area.
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