Mass is an essential part of our children's spiritual growth. When our children go to Mass, they are physically in the presence of Christ. As all parts of a child's life, routine and consistency are integral to a child's success. Our students attend Mass weekly to give thanks and to receive the Body of Christ. Each week, a different class hosts the Mass and are placed in charge of the readings and leading the school in song. In addition to weekly Mass, our children attend adoration weekly, and receive the sacrament of Reconciliation throughout the year.
"Parents are called to make their children discover the value and importance of the response to Christ's invitation, who calls the whole Christian family to Mass."
-Pope Benedict XVI, 2005 address in St. Peter's Square
Our children are given the opportunity to pray with Jesus in our Adoration Chapel on the first Friday of each month, with many classes going on a weekly basis.
Adoration is a way to be present with the Lord and focus on actively listening to His word through prayer. During Eucharistic Adoration, we pray to Jesus Christ, who is present in the Eucharist.
"While it is true that you can pray to God anywhere and that He is always within you, it is especially powerful to adore Jesus in the Eucharist. In the presence of the Eucharist, we pray to the power and sacrifice that it represents — the body of Jesus, who gave His life so that we may live.
It is His body, blood, soul and divinity that is really, truly, and substantially present in the Eucharist.
We adore and receive the Eucharist in communion at Mass, which is the most beautiful act of worship that we have as Catholics. We have Jesus truly present in all of the tabernacles around the world. We can continue to adore Him in the Eucharist after Mass in a quiet time of prayer and contemplation on Who we have just received . Being in the presence of the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ gives spiritual strength and nourishment in a uniquely powerful way." -www.omvusa.org
The sacramental life of the children at St. Charles is an important component of our religion program in the Catholic tradition. Preparations for two sacraments, Reconciliation and First Eucharist, are completed in a child's religion class. In accordance with the diocesan guidelines, candidates for First Eucharist will receive the sacrament of Reconciliation prior to First Eucharist.
We celebrate First Eucharist each year during Grade 3. Parents are required to be active partners in their children’s preparation for these sacraments. Reconciliation and Eucharist are only conferred to students baptized in the Roman Catholic faith.
In addition to weekly mass, our students have religion classes several times throughout the week. Our religion classes are age appriopriate and are aimed at nurturing our children's inherent love for God and His church. While students do not need to be Catholic to attend St. Charles, all students must enroll in our theology program.
We believe that service is an integral part of our faith. To learn more about how we serve our community, visit our page on Service & Stewardship.
Our day is filled with prayer! The most basic definition of prayer is speaking to God, but this can be a struggle when we are not use to a regular routine of prayer. From the formal recitation of prayer to the intimate improvisation of speaking from our heart, our children learn to make prayer a part of each moment of their day. From starting our morning with a schoolwide prayer, to regular practicing of prayer throughout the day, including before snacks and meals. Many of our classes begin each day with a decade of the rosary.