Faith Life at OLG
As a Catholic parish school, our primary mission is educate children within the light and tradition of the Catholic Faith.
Each year, the Spiritual Planning Committee of the school, consisting of the pastor, principal, religion coordinator of the school, music teacher, and a member of the Sisters of the Society Devoted to Sacred Heart of Jesus, gather to plan for the spiritual enrichment of the students and staff for the school year. This annual plan is adapted to incorporate the religious theme for the year and specific church celebrations.
Spiritual Theme for the 2024-2025 School Year This year’s focus:
- Eucharistic Revival (as per the USCCB’s three year mission)
- Family of Families (as described in John Paul II's Familiaris Consortio [Family in the Modern World])
September
The year begins with a focus on the Holy Spirit, emphasizing catechesis and spiritual reflection. Activities include school-wide Masses, Adoration, and a monthly Sunday School Choir Mass. Catechetical Sunday highlights the importance of faith education, aligning with the Eucharistic Revival mission, and allowing for the school's faculty to recommit their allegiance to the Church and her teachings. Students in grades 3 - 8 are given the opportunity for the sacrament of confession to start the school year off.
October
This month centers on the Rosary and Respect Life, promoting family prayer and unity. Events include the Blessing of the Animals, a Living Rosary at school, and a Family Prayer Night that is hosted by the parish. The theme encourages devotion and reflection, supporting the "Family of Families" focus.
This month centers on the Rosary and Respect Life, promoting family prayer and unity. Events include the Blessing of the Animals, a Living Rosary at school, and a Family Prayer Night that is hosted by the parish. The theme encourages devotion and reflection, supporting the "Family of Families" focus.
November
The theme of All Saints and All Souls fosters love beyond generations through the Catholic tenet of the Communion of Saints. Activities include a Thanksgiving food drive in support of the St. Vincent De Paul Society, a Solemnity of All Saints Mass, Day of the Dead altars that adorn the school hallways, and a Vocation Awareness Week. Outreach events focus on the elderly and feeding the poor, embodying the Church's Social teachings.
The theme of All Saints and All Souls fosters love beyond generations through the Catholic tenet of the Communion of Saints. Activities include a Thanksgiving food drive in support of the St. Vincent De Paul Society, a Solemnity of All Saints Mass, Day of the Dead altars that adorn the school hallways, and a Vocation Awareness Week. Outreach events focus on the elderly and feeding the poor, embodying the Church's Social teachings.
December
Advent brings a focus on seeking joy through Jesus, Others, and You (JOY). Students participate in a toy drive in support of the Providence Tarzana-Cedar Sinai Hospital pediatric ward and Saint Vincent De Paul Society, write prayers for Christmas, and engage in St. Nicholas Day activities. The month includes a School Mass for the Immaculate Conception, a special assembly in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Posadas at the parish, and a Christmas Mass with a Nativity pantomime that is hosted by students from the second-grade class. Students in grades 3 - 8 are given the opportunity for the sacrament of confession to help ready their hearts and minds for the coming of the Messiah at Christmas.
Advent brings a focus on seeking joy through Jesus, Others, and You (JOY). Students participate in a toy drive in support of the Providence Tarzana-Cedar Sinai Hospital pediatric ward and Saint Vincent De Paul Society, write prayers for Christmas, and engage in St. Nicholas Day activities. The month includes a School Mass for the Immaculate Conception, a special assembly in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Posadas at the parish, and a Christmas Mass with a Nativity pantomime that is hosted by students from the second-grade class. Students in grades 3 - 8 are given the opportunity for the sacrament of confession to help ready their hearts and minds for the coming of the Messiah at Christmas.
January
This month features School Masses, Adoration, and a Sunday School Choir Mass to kick-start Catholic Schools Week. Activities emphasize reflection and faith-sharing, continuing the Eucharistic Revival mission.
This month features School Masses, Adoration, and a Sunday School Choir Mass to kick-start Catholic Schools Week. Activities emphasize reflection and faith-sharing, continuing the Eucharistic Revival mission.
Lenten Season
Lent focuses on spiritual discipline and offering sacrifices, almsgiving, and prayer, which are initiated with the reception of ashes on Ash Wednesday. Friday devotions transition from School Masses and Adoration to weekly Stations of the Cross in church led by a priest and Student Council's Commissioner of Religious Affairs. The month encourages personal reflection and preparation for Easter, aligning with the theme of spiritual transformation and renewal. Students are encouraged at each Monday Morning Assembly to offer sacrifices of goodies like Starbucks or fast foods, or to pick up extra chores around the house, to help place money in the CRS Rice Bowl for the poor. In partnership with the CRS chapter of the parish, this year saw the addition of an oversized rice bowl on which students posted the various good deeds and sacrifices they made throughout Lent. Lenten Confessions are held, fostering honesty with the Lord and spiritual growth.
Lent focuses on spiritual discipline and offering sacrifices, almsgiving, and prayer, which are initiated with the reception of ashes on Ash Wednesday. Friday devotions transition from School Masses and Adoration to weekly Stations of the Cross in church led by a priest and Student Council's Commissioner of Religious Affairs. The month encourages personal reflection and preparation for Easter, aligning with the theme of spiritual transformation and renewal. Students are encouraged at each Monday Morning Assembly to offer sacrifices of goodies like Starbucks or fast foods, or to pick up extra chores around the house, to help place money in the CRS Rice Bowl for the poor. In partnership with the CRS chapter of the parish, this year saw the addition of an oversized rice bowl on which students posted the various good deeds and sacrifices they made throughout Lent. Lenten Confessions are held, fostering honesty with the Lord and spiritual growth.
The Lenten period is punctuated with a special Holy Thursday retreat for all students. The day is marked with no academic work, backpacks, or iPads. Students enter the campus in quiet reflection with Gregorian Chant echoing in the background of campus. Students quietly reflect on the meaning of Holy Thursday and the Easter Triduum in their classes. The morning continues with a washing of feet ritual, highlighting what Jesus, the Master, did on Holy Thursday for his apostles. Students then learn about the significance of and share a Seder meal hosted by our Room Parents. The morning closes with a powerful reenactment of the Stations of the Cross hosted by the eighth-grade class.
May
May is the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It highlights the second-grade class as they make their First Holy Communion this month. Friday Masses and Adoration continue after the Lenten season closes. Devotional highlights include a Eucharistic Procession within the school buildings and culminating in the school courtyard, a Vocation Day with a rally and ice cream celebration, a May Procession and Crowning prayer service, and a Friday school Grandparents' Mass. The month also features the close of the 9-month long middle school study of the development of a human baby in the womb with a baby good drive and baby shower that is hosted by the pro-life group of the OLG parish. The month concludes with the 8th grade’s final school Mass and graduation.
May is the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It highlights the second-grade class as they make their First Holy Communion this month. Friday Masses and Adoration continue after the Lenten season closes. Devotional highlights include a Eucharistic Procession within the school buildings and culminating in the school courtyard, a Vocation Day with a rally and ice cream celebration, a May Procession and Crowning prayer service, and a Friday school Grandparents' Mass. The month also features the close of the 9-month long middle school study of the development of a human baby in the womb with a baby good drive and baby shower that is hosted by the pro-life group of the OLG parish. The month concludes with the 8th grade’s final school Mass and graduation.
June
The theme for the month is the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Activities include the final Sunday School Choir Mass, a First Friday Mass, and the final School Mass for the year.
The theme for the month is the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Activities include the final Sunday School Choir Mass, a First Friday Mass, and the final School Mass for the year.