Formation in Virtue & Atrium

 

Virtues in Practice

Implemented three years ago, Sacred Heart Academy incorporates the Virtues in Practice program, a three-year cycle of virtues program developed by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. Each month, PK-8th grade students learn more about a new virtue as well as about saints that exemplified that virtue. They are encouraged to grow in each virtue, inside and outside the school. This upcoming school year, we will study the following virtues and learn more about the saints.

Virtues in Practice – Year of Faith

September: Faith (Theological virtue and gift from God by which we believe in Him and believe everything He has revealed because He is Truth itself)

  • St. Martha (PK-2), St. Jerome (Grades 3-5), St. Augustine (Grades 6-8)

October: Reverence

  • Saint Hyacinth (PK-2), Saint Tarcisius (3-5), St. Margaret Clitherow (6-8)

November: Stewardship

  • St. Elizabeth of Hungary (PK-2), Blessed Fra Angelico (3-5), St. Joseph Moscati (6-8)

December: Generosity

  • St. Nicholas (PK-2), St. Mary Magdalene (3-5), St. Maximillian Kolbe (6-8)

January: Gratitude

  • St. Francis of Assisi (PK-2), St. Julie Billiart (3-5), St. Josemaria Escriva (6-8)

February: Honesty

  • Sts. Jacinta & Francisco Marto (PK-2), St. Kateri Tekakwitha (3-5), St. Athanasius (6-8)

March: Mercy

  • St. John Vianney (PK-2), St. Faustina (3-5), St. Teresa of Calcutta (6-8)

April: Justice

  • St. Anthony of Padua (PK-2), St. Katharine Drexel (3-5), St. Thomas More (6-8)

May: Zeal

  • St. Paul (PK-2), St. Dominic (3-5), St. Francis Xavier (6-8)

 

Sacred Heart Academy House Program

K-8th grade students are assigned into small groups/houses, each group/house named after a saint known for his/her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in order to enhance our spiritual community and create a stronger bond among students across the grades. Our house program helps us to promote further the cultivation of virtues (following the Virtues in Practice Program), solidarity, community building, mentorship, leadership skills, and school spirit.

 

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (atrium) is offered to Sacred Heart Academy PK through 2nd grade students. Built on the Montessori based catechesis, our atrium is a specially prepared space for children to contemplate the life of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and know He loves them! Our Preschool-2nd grade Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program enriches our religion classes (in groups, students visit the atrium once a week during religion class periods and continue to have religion classes with their homeroom teachers other days of the week).