Catholic Identity
A spirit of welcome and openness is characteristic of Santa Catalina School. We embrace the true meaning of the word "catholicity" (from the Greek words kata and holos, meaning "inclusive of everyone") with an invitation and welcoming spirit to all of our students. With a grounding in the particularity of our Catholic heritage, we affirm and celebrate and embrace the rich religious diversity of our student body.
As a Catholic school, faculty and staff live and model their faith for students. In word and in deed, students are taught that there is meaning and great purpose in life. Students are prepared for the future through an education, both in and outside of the classroom, that acknowledges the spiritual dimension of the human person. We believe that we are all created in the image and likeness of God.
Rosary Chapel
The Rosary Chapel is the center of spiritual life on campus and a beautiful reminder of the Dominican tradition on which Santa Catalina is founded. Students, teachers, and the wider school community gather here for Masses, chapel services, quiet reflection, and special events.
Campus Ministry
Sunday Communion Services are led by our school’s chaplain. Students are regular participants and are an integral part of each service. When Mass is celebrated, students serve as readers, gift bearers, and Eucharistic ministers. At all services, the school’s choir provides the music.
Students and teachers come together each week for Wednesday chapel services. These weekly services are a time for prayer and reflection. Chapel Services also provide an opportunity for teachers and students to share their thoughts and experiences with the larger school community.
Each class spends time during the school year engaged in various community service activities. These have included habitat restoration, food preparation for homeless shelters, clothing drives, and beach cleanups. Service is one of Santa Catalina School’s core values. Students learn of their capability to make a difference in the world. They also learn of their responsibility to serve those who are less fortunate.
Catholicism teaches that human life is sacred. As such, at the foundation of all principles of social teaching is the dignity of the human person. The Peace and Justice Club is inspired by the words of Pope Paul VI: “If you want peace, you must work for justice.” Santa Catalina’s Peace and Justice Club is an umbrella term for a number of student clubs that seek to educate and bring about the awareness of the need to work for peace and justice in the world. Important social justice issues are discussed and students are then invited to put their concerns into action in and through these clubs, such as the Model U.N., Allegria/Smile Fund, Safe Space, R4 (our environmental club), and the Black Student Union.
Under the guidance of the Diocese of Monterey, preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation is offered to those junior and senior students who choose to deepen their commitment to their Catholic faith. Students attend weekly classes that aid in their preparation for the conferral of the sacrament at the Confirmation Mass.