Middle School Spiritual Life

As a Catholic School, we strive to form not only the mind, but also the person. Catholic education is particularly rewarding because of the harmony of “fides et ratio” or “faith and reason.” When faith is integrated into a vigorous academic program, the students gain a more complete education and world view. A York Catholic education is meant to shape the development of students intellectually and spiritually, so they are drawn closer to God.

Our school day begins and ends with prayer, and each class begins with prayer.  Classes also incorporate other celebrations, which may be Holy Mass, prayer services, Eucharistic Adoration, and other devotional activities according to the liturgical year.

School-wide Masses and Prayer Services are celebrated approximately once a month, and on Holy Days of Obligation.  Attendance is mandatory for students and faculty.  Throughout the month, Mass is also held in our Chapel of Our Lady Rosa Mystica with optional attendance for students and faculty.

As part of its total educational mission, York Catholic includes an important opportunity during the school year for students to reflect on their lives as Christians and spend time developing their relationship with Christ.  Grades 7-8 participate in a one-day class retreat.  Parents and students are informed of the required days of retreat.

Our commitment to serve the larger community impels us to foster social awareness and encourage action for the common good.  To form habits in the area of service and encourage students to live out their faith, the school monitors a program of Corporal Works of Mercy in which each student is required to perform hours of uncompensated service each year within a volunteer program or non-profit organization.  Middle School students are required to verify twelve (12) hours of service. While this amount of time is minimal over the course of the year, most students choose to serve well beyond the minimum hours necessary as our students recognize their role as life-long caretakers of their community.  In addition, students are required to reflect on their service experience by completing projects as assigned by their Theology teacher.  Organizations frequently contact York Catholic when volunteers are needed at their events.  We invite you to browse our YC Service Booklet.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered to the school-wide community three times a year:  at the beginning of the school year, and during the seasons of Advent and Lent.  Individual students may request the Sacrament by contacting our York Catholic chaplain via email.