The faculty and staff of St. Gregory the Great High School believe that helping students grow in their awareness of God’s presence in our world is one of the most important tasks of Catholic educators.  In the spirit of the Gospel, the Campus Ministry program exists to support the spiritual growth and moral development of our school community – students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Through this program, SGHS provides students with the guideposts needed to direct them in their spiritual and life journeys.  We have created an environment that recognizes our diverse student base and encourages prayer that is inclusive and appreciative of our multicultural community.

Prayer Life at St. Gregory the Great

Every class, meeting, and event at Saint Gregory the Great High School begins with prayer. Prayers open and close with the Order for Prayer, which  has been established so that every student, teacher and staff respond resoundingly in unison to the opening and closing formula.

In class, students and teachers lead prayers and integrate a variety of prayer styles, from contemplation to meditation, which frequently integrate intercessions and petitions.  When memorized, recited prayers are often used. The entire school community focused on the Lord’s Prayer in September, the Hail Mary in October, the prayer for the dead in November, and the Magnificat in December.

During Hispanic American Heritage Month, a number of teachers recited the prayers in both English and Spanish.

Worship at St. Gregory the Great

The SGHS community officially opened the 2009-2010 school year with an all-school Mass on September 3, the Titular Feast of Saint Gregory the Great. Fr. Jeremiah Lynch, S.J., presided in a Mass that emphasized student participation and involvement.

Also in September, each class at SGHS celebrated a “Teaching and Learning” Mass. During the Mass, which augmented the catechesis on the Eucharist that all students receive annually in religious studies classes and throughout the year in advisory and at Masses, students sat up close around the altar table in order to ask and answer questions from the presiding priest.

Each priest was chosen with the specific character of the students in the class in mind. Priests traveled from as far as Saint Louis and as near as Saint Gregory the Great Parish, and two local pastors from Saint Mary of the Lake and Saint Timothy also participated. SGHS students not only enjoyed the experience, but greatly increased their appreciation for and understanding of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

The entire SGHS community gathered in November for a Thanksgiving prayer service, and on December 8 for a Mass in celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Prayer services and Masses are scheduled regularly throughout the school year.

Retreats at St. Gregory the Great

Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors participate annually in a Day of Faith and Reflection, and seniors participate in an extended two-day Faith and Reflection retreat. Each retreat focuses on a particular theme, such as community, and is designed with the character of the participating class in mind.

The entire school participates annually in the 30-hour famine. To hear students’ reflections on this experience, please take a moment to watch the video below.

Campus Ministry at SGHS provides many unique spiritual opportunities for all of our students:

• Student participation at every Mass is encouraged. Advisories and courses are invited to plan and prepare parts or all of a Mass.
• The generous and thoughtful presiding of Fathers Paul and Brian from the Saint Gregory the Great Parish is complemented by exceptionally pastoral guest presiders and especially priests of color who demonstrate for our students the Universal nature of the Catholic Church.
• All students are prepared and invited to come forward at Communion for a blessing or to receive the Eucharist.
• Campus Ministry encourages and assists Religious Studies and other departments to invite Catholic priests, scholars, and ministers as well as other clergy and religious leaders from a variety of traditions to speak across the curriculum in classes.
• Teachers lead a variety of simple prayers to begin each class, meeting, practice, and co-curricular gathering. They are encouraged to train and then allow their students to lead prayer as often as practical.
• Students routinely practice popular Catholic devotions such as pilgrimages, Stations of the Cross, the Rosary, Blessing of the Throats, receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday, lighting the Advent Wreath, Ofrenda, and the Lenten Exercises.
• Every school day begins and ends with all-school prayer over the PA system. Whenever practical, the prayers are planned and presented by students.

The God Squad

The God Squad includes any students who assist with planning or leading Campus Ministry events. This includes everything from school Masses to retreats and everything in between. God Squad meets every Frday during lunch and all students are welcome to join at any point in the year. Participation was outstanding in planning the recent Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass, with students volunteering to do readings, write petitions, sing in the choir, and help create a school-wide devotion to Mary.

In addition to participating in daily prayers and periodic prayer services and Masses, the God Squad Retreat Team also leads the SGHS freshman retreat and seventh and eighth grade retreats for students from Northside Catholic Academy.