2012-2013 Student Handbook - Catholic High School

Pastoral Counseling
As pastoral counselors, campus ministers work toward the total faith development of
each student, attempting to help him fulfill his social, psychological and religious needs.
Campus ministers are available to students on a daily basis for spiritual guidance and faith
counseling, listening, helping and lending support.
Liturgies
School Masses are celebrated regularly by all students and faculty. Special emphasis
is placed on having all students participate in order to make our liturgies transformative
experiences for students. Students serve as liturgical ministers in many ways for the liturgies.
The student choir sings at all liturgies with the accompaniment of student musicians. Students
serve as lectors, greeters, altar servers, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. We
hope that our liturgies will inspire students to become actively involved at their parishes, and
we strongly encourage students to become leaders of their parishes’ youth organizations. In
these various ways, students are challenged to assume their responsibility as lay leaders and to
consider vocations and the many ministries offered by the Church.
Reconciliation
Twice a year the Campus Ministry Department holds reconciliation services for all
students. Bishop Muench and numerous priests minister the Sacrament of Reconciliation to
students. We hope that the powerful experience of God’s forgiveness through the Sacrament
in a school setting will inspire students to go to Confession regularly in their parishes.
School Wide Charity Drives
The Campus Ministry Department, as well as other school organizations, promotes
numerous charity drives throughout the school year. The purpose of these drives is not only to
raise money for important charities, but also to help students form solidarity with our brothers
and sisters who are suffering throughout the world. All students participate in the Thanksgiving
Food Drive by bringing canned goods to their first period classes. The Greater Baton Rouge
Food Bank strongly depends on students’ contribution during this demanding time of the
year. During Advent, many teachers have their classes adopt a family and purchase gifts for
them. Some teachers also have their classes donate money to other charitable organizations.
During Lent, the entire school participates in Operation Rice Bowl, the official Lenten charity
drive of the United States Catholic Church. The Campus Ministry Team provides all teachers
with resources to help explain the purpose of Operation Rice Bowl and inspire students to
participate in the drive. Teachers emphasize that participating in this drive allows students to
participate more fully in the life of the Church.
School Wide Prayer
Communal and private prayer is essential in forming an intimate relationship with Christ
and thereby being transformed by his loving presence. Therefore, great emphasis is placed
on prayer throughout the entire school day. Every school day begins with a student leading
prayer over the intercom. The student writes the prayer with the help of Campus Ministers and
is encouraged to address the current needs of both the school and the world. Every class starts
with prayer led by both teachers and students. The Campus Ministry Department also offers
weekly prayer experiences available to all faculty and students in the Brothers’ chapel during
lunch periods. In religion classes, students frequently lead prayer services which include
music, scripture readings, and personal reflections.
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