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Curriculum » Catholic Spiritual Development

Catholic Spiritual Development

St. Brendan is, first and foremost, a Catholic school. The children receive daily religious instruction. Our parish pastor, Father Mike Quinn, and the priests and nuns in residence engage with the children both during school hours and at parish and school events. Our Catholic identity and mission are integrated into every aspect of our curriculum and student life.

Mass:    The school attends Mass each First Friday of the month as well as on all Holy Days and every day during Lent. Parents are encouraged to join in these liturgies. Children participate in school liturgies as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, and members of the choir. St. Brendan Church offers a 5:00 PM Saturday Family Mass which all families are encouraged to attend as a community.

Sacraments:    Second graders prepare for and receive First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Eighth graders prepare for and receive Confirmation.

Altar Servers:    Students in grades 7 and 8 are required to serve as altar servers for weekend Masses. Grade 6 students receive altar server training during Lent and begin serving afterward.  

Social Service Projects:    One of the distinguishing characteristics of St. Brendan School is our emphasis on finding ways to give back to our community through student-driven outreach projects that combine creativity, entrepreneurship, compassion, and empathy. Children of all grades may propose projects at any time by presenting their idea to their teacher and the principal. Children are responsible for the projects from inception to execution, and their reward is the joy of having given of themselves.

In addition, each grade chooses one month during the school year to lead a schoolwide service project that focuses on and highlights Catholic Social Teachings. Examples of these projects include:

  • Gathering new socks for the homeless;
  • Earning funds to donate to the Heifer International Project;
  • Making sandwiches for the St. Vincent de Paul Society;
  • Collecting towels for Muttville;
  • Making greeting cards for the homebound in the parish and assisted living facilities;
  • Various fundraising projects to support local and global disaster relief organizations.
 
Action for Others Project:    Eighth graders perform forty hours of community service as part of their Confirmation preparation. They volunteer at school and parish events and often propose their own social service projects.
 

Peace Families:    In grades 1 through 8 students participate in Peace Families led by our eighth graders. These "families" gather once a month to engage in team-building activities and to share time together.