The NDCL Campus Ministry program is central to the mission of NDCL. Committed to developing our students’ individual spirituality and Christian leadership. The Campus Ministry and the Religion Department work together to foster their Spiritual formation. The education and religious activities offered at NDCL are designed to strengthen faith, develop gifts, and empower the students for leadership.

RETREATS

Freshmen have a large class retreat which builds community by focusing on relationships with self, others and God. Freshman Retreat begins with a Mass at the Notre Dame Educational Center (Freshmen should be dropped off there in the morning) then Senior Buddies will lead Freshmen in the low ropes course on the school grounds.

Sophomores take time to reflect on Christ’s role in their lives and what it means to live a life of faith. Sophomores will split into smaller retreat groups to attend retreat at different sites in the Cleveland area. Senior Retreat Planners lead the Sophomore Retreat.

Juniors participate in a service retreat which focuses on social justice needs and issues in the Cleveland area. Juniors will be split into smaller groups to spend a day serving those less fortunate through non-profit, social service and advocacy agencies.

Seniors break into small retreat groups to reflect on God’s action in their lives thus far and how they will live as Christian adults beyond their years at NDCL.

Seniors may be commissioned as Retreat Leaders for the Freshman and Sophomore retreats. As leaders they plan and prepare for the experience, give witness talks and serve as small group leaders.

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LITURGY

Liturgical experiences including prayer services and Mass are celebrated regularly. These number about one a month. Students on all grade levels participate at school Masses as lectors, singers and alter-servers. Seniors may also be Eucharistic Ministers. The liturgies are planned by students under the guidance of the Campus Minister. In the spring, students act out the Living Stations of the Cross, a prayer experience for the whole school. In October, the month of Mary, the students pray the Rosary over the PA throughout the week, and students who wish may pray the rosary in chapel on Fridays during the activity blocks. The students are always welcome to the chapel for time of personal prayer before and after school and during their activity block.

Religion is integrated in many other areas of student life as well. The school day begins and ends with prayer and many teachers pray daily before class begins. There is a weekly communion service for all athletes. Many teams have made it a tradition to pray at the Mary statue or in chapel before games. Sports award nights are prayer-centered. The school play cast and crew celebrate Mass together before opening night of their performance.

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SOLIDARITY

In honor of World Fair Trade Day, a student models clothing made by people paid a just wage. The Fair Trade Fashion Show was hosted by NDCL and Catholic Schools for Peace and Justice.

Understanding solidarity as right relationships with all persons and people, NDCL students are challenged by local, national and world concerns to understand the struggles others face and what can be done to better serve our world community.

In Centesimus Annus, Pope John Paul II wrote:

“Sacred Scripture continually speaks to us of an active commitment to our neighbor and demands of us a shared responsibility for all of humanity. This duty is not limited to one’s own family, nation or state, but extends progressively to all…so no one can consider himself extraneous or indifferent to the lot of another member of the human family.”

The Diocese of Cleveland’s program, Church in the City, gives us the opportunity to focus on the needs here in the diocese, raising awareness of Social Justice, Interdependence and building friendships. Through Church in the City, NDCL hosts a field trip for 3rd graders from St. Helen and St. Francis (Cleveland) schools. NDCL faculty and students teach the children art, science, cooking and Physical Education, giving them a chance to interact with their pen pals. NDCL students also plan an 8th grade retreat for St. Helen’s, St. Francis and Metro Catholic schools.

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