Spiritual Life

Service learning and service activities help raise the consciousness of our students to the needs of others. We are proud of the “second nature” response our students have to putting faith into action—in fact, many service projects have come directly from student ideas and initiation. 

Throughout the year, students prepare for, implement, and reflect on a variety of service opportunities. These range from school-wide service projects to Projects of Passion adopted by each classroom.

Common projects include:

• Christmas caroling at local senior living facilities
• Food drives for the Food Bank for Monterey County
• Coat drives for the Salvation Army
• Braxton's Toy Drive

Sometimes, students respond to events in the wider world. Past projects have included:

• Outreach to orphans displaced by the war in Ukraine
• Sending cards and blankets to families affected by wildfires in California and Colorado
• A backpack and school supply drive for local students through the Salvation Army

Each classroom has a Project of Passion, a cause or organization they support throughout the year. These have included:

• PreK donating blankets and towels to the SPCA for Monterey County
• Grade 2 creating a "kindness rock garden" on campus
• Grade 5 collecting over 400 books to donate to a Belize literacy organization

Building relationships is one of our enduring strengths and is key to our approach to teaching religion. No matter what age, the connection between what we learn in the classroom and what we live out in our relationships is vital. Just as important is our relationship with ourselves: We teach students to look within—to recognize the value and dignity in themselves so they may see it in others.

Religion is taught twice per week from kindergarten through middle school. Lessons range from studies of the saints and scripture to world religions and morality. Each lesson brings relevance and application to students’ lives, so that they may put the value of love and service into practice.

The entire Lower and Middle School comes together once a month for Mass in our Rosary Chapel. Masses are devoted to song, community, and reflection.

Santa Catalina offers sacramental preparation for students entering Grade 2 for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Preparation is offered after school in partnership with the Diocese of Monterey.