Faith formation lies at the heart of the educational experience at Risen Christ Catholic School. Rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church, Risen Christ is committed to nurturing the spiritual development of our students by providing opportunities for students to deepen their relationship with God, understand Catholic teachings and traditions, and live out their faith in their daily lives.
Students participate in regular religious education classes that focus on liturgy, the sacraments, Catholic saints, and prayer. Through participation in daily prayer, opportunities for reconciliation and the celebration of weekly Mass on Thursdays, students strengthen their understanding of the Eucharist and develop a sense of belonging to the larger faith community. (Sacramental preparation is received by students at their individual parishes.)
Risen Christ warmly welcomes students of all faith traditions, fostering ecumenical understanding and mutual respect. Faith formation at Risen Christ creates a nurturing and supporting environment, where students graduate ready to make a positive difference in the world.
Catholic Traditions from Around the Globe:
At Risen Christ, we enjoy celebrating the Catholic traditions from a variety of countries that represent the heritage of our students. Some festivities include Las Posadas, honoring the journey of Mary and Joseph, the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, paying tribute to the patroness of the Americas, and Dia de los Muertos, where students come together to honor and remember their deceased loved ones on All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
Service:
Additionally, students engage in service-learning opportunities that encourage them to live and lead in the example of Jesus Christ by directly serving others. Through acts of charity and community service, students learn important virtues of the Catholic faith. Recent projects have included picking up trash in the community on Earth Day, raising money to support Every Meal, and participating in the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl to aid farmers in Honduras.
Virtue Education:
In 2022, Risen Christ Catholic School proudly launched Spirit Families, a unique program designed to foster a strong sense of community and faith among our students. Each student is placed into a Spirit Family, which is named after a virtue. These families provide an invaluable opportunity for students to connect and engage with peers across different grade levels, promoting a deeper understanding of their faith and encouraging mutual support and growth.
Additionally, in the months of March and May, one boy and girl from each grade level are awarded St. Joseph and St. Mary Awards for exemplifying the virtues of these great saints.
Meet Sisters Atalia and Amaranta:
Atalia and Amaranta were chosen for the St. Mary Award by their teachers because, just like Mary, they choose to say “Yes” to God with their actions.
When a student needs help with work, they say “yes” to explain with patience and kindness. When a teacher needs help, they say “yes” to assist and brighten our days. When their family needs help, they says “yes” to comfort and care at home.
Wherever the need is, Atalia and Amaranta are there to answer with whole hearts and whole selves; a “yes” to the call to serve.
Meet First Grader Jonathan:
Jonathan exemplifies St. Joseph because of his genuine kindness towards all students. He is the first to jump up and help another student with his sincere, caring nature. His teachers often see him smiling, putting his arm around other students’ shoulders and “checking in” with a student who may be having a rough day.
Jonathan is a protector of the group, humble, hard-working, respectful and mature beyond his years. We are blessed to have students like Jonathan at Risen Christ!