Campus Ministry
Stuart Hall High School is deeply grounded in its Catholic heritage. We are committed to the authentic spirit of the teachings of Jesus Christ. As educators, we strive to become living examples of these teachings through our words and our actions. Our lived expression of this spirit is manifested through the five Sacred Heart Goals:
- A personal and active faith in God,
- A deep respect for intellectual values,
- A social awareness which impels to action,
- The building of community as a Christian value
- Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.
Within this framework, we foster a spirit of inclusiveness, respect and tolerance. The Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria form a critical component of our spiritual growth. The variety of cosmologies that exist provide a backdrop for our spiritual learning.
There are several venues through which we explore the spiritual dimension of our lives at school. Each week, the entire school community gathers for a prayer service. We often focus these reflections around a theme or holiday, and both students and faculty are always invited to participate. Masses are held on special feasts and holidays, honoring Catholic traditions as well as special Sacred Heart celebrations.
During the second semester, the Community Chapel Series provides an opportunity for faculty and administration to share their own journeys with the students. As living examples of the Five Goals, we are called to lead our students into a deeper understanding of their personal value systems. Our distinct expressions of spirituality and unique images of God have an enormous impact on the way our students begin to explore their own inner lives. We see it as our collective responsibility to provide them with support as they examine their values, belief systems and larger spiritual frameworks. Hearing adults reflect on their passions and principles can provide students with a fresh perspective as they engage in this process.
The Campus Ministry program also sponsors an expanding retreat program, which includes separate retreats for each grade as well as opportunities for training in peer leadership. Past retreats have included trips to the Oakwood Community retirement home for RSCJs, St. Anthony's Foundation, the Marin Headlands, the Pro Action Ropes Course, plus overnight stays at school and at retreat centers in the area.
Elie Wiesel, the reknowned Jewish author and Holocaust survivor, has said that it is our questions about the human condition that unite us, and our answers that divide us. By probing questions about faith and ultimate reality, we become unified in a common spiritual journey.
