Sophomore

List of 3 items.

• Sophomore Family Liturgy

  The Freshman-Sophomore Family Mass and Dinner will take place on Sunday, September 11, 2022 beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the Church of the Holy Family. This Eucharistic celebration brings into focus the relationship between studying Scripture and serving people in need.

• Sophomore Retreat

  The Sophomore Retreat is led by juniors and seniors under the direction of the First Years Chaplain. It is a unique opportunity for students to step out of their comfort zone, build new relationships with classmates and leaders, and spend time in conversation with God. There will be a lot of fun, too! Retreats take students away from the daily rhythm of school to provide them with the time and space to quiet their hearts and minds for prayer. The theme of Sophomore Retreat is Living Word. For two days, students explore Scriptural themes of God in Creation, in Covenant, in Christ, and in the Spirit, with the ultimate goal of growing as people for and with others.

• Sophomore Service Commitment

  The Christian call to service is rooted in the life of Jesus Christ. Out of love humanity, Jesus became human and lived every day for God and for others, even to his death.

  
  During sophomore year, students commit to 20 hours of service ideally at *one pre-approved service site that will stretch them out of their comfort zones. They are challenged to serve people different from themselves: people who are poor and marginalized, hungry, sick, aged, homeless, or differently-abled. This commitment to going beyond familiar communities helps students live the Grad at Grad values, especially being open to growth, committed to doing justice, religious, and loving. In building relationships through service, our hope is that students will see the face of Christ in the poor, and that they might strive to be Christ's face for others. Suggestions for possible service sites include nursing homes, boys and girls clubs, homeless shelters and soup kitchens. *Due to the uncertainty of the pandemic, we are mindful of accommodations that best suit health and safety concerns.  Please discuss any concerns with your parents about fulfilling the above goals directly with a member of Formation and Ministry, and we will come up with a safe and satisfactory plan together. 

  
  Students also actively partake in Chapel Reflections through their Theology class. These reflection sessions provide context, structure, and opportunities for deeper reflection on students' service. Chapel Reflections culminate in a final reflection paper due in May 2023 and focused on connections between Scripture and service.

  
  Students must meet with the First Years Chaplain or other FAM staff member before beginning their service. Once the site is approved, students must follow the instructions for tracking their hours online. All sophomores must have their service sites pre-approved and 10 hours completed by Thursday, December 8, 2022. The final deadline for reporting the remaining service hours for the 2022-23 school year is Thursday, April 27, 2023!

  
  Your First Years Chaplain is available to help you find a service site that works for you! The Formation and Ministry office is located on the third floor next to Room 330. Please come by any time!