“We intentionally start and end our day with prayer. It sets the tone for our students to remind them every day is a gift from God, so that when they come back to school the next day, they can continue to show their faith and their virtue.”
Carmen Grace Poppert, Principal
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:
To foster a strong sense of community and faith among our students, Risen Christ Catholic School places each student into a Spirit House: Gaudium (Joy), Veritas (Truth), Servitium (Service), Fides (Faith), Humilitas (Humility), Justicia (Justice), Caritas (Charity), and Lumen (Light). Middle school students are placed into Spirit Houses with mixed-grade groups of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, allowing for meaningful mentorship, collaboration, and leadership development. These Spirit Houses 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, leadership, 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 Ian (6th grade):
Fifth grade teachers shared, “St. Joseph wasn’t always sure about what to do. He wasn’t always confident that things would be okay. But he worked anyway…” Ian lives this same spirit. Even though he sometimes gets worried, he consistently shows up with determination — always working hard for his teachers, supporting his classmates, and caring deeply about his community. “His friends love him and they know he cares,” his teachers noted.
Ian’s kindness, steady effort, and willingness to help others makes a lasting impact in the classroom. With patience and humility, he demonstrates that leadership isn’t about recognition, but about showing up for others each day. As his teachers reflected, “He shows that true strength is found in humility, service, and love for others.”