Catholic Faith
Our Faith
St. Patrick Cathedral School integrates the Catholic faith into all aspects of school
life. This Christian foundation presents itself in many ways:
life. This Christian foundation presents itself in many ways:
- Regular opportunities for the school community to experience prayer and the
Sacraments. - Obvious and visible signs, sacramentals, traditions and rituals of the Catholic
Church exist throughout the school. - Authentic Catholic teachings, which include a curriculum infused with Catholic
values throughout the “secular” subjects. - Ongoing formation of teachers for catechetical and instructional
competencies. - Emphasis on partnership with parents and guardians―as the primary
educators of their children― with fundamental concern in their spiritual and
academic education. - Service-orientation fostered among students.
- All staff members are actively engaged and committed to bringing the Gospel
into the total educational experience.
Catholic Identity factors for measuring the integration of faith life into the entire
program as defined by the Texas
program as defined by the Texas
Attending Mass
St. Patrick Cathedral School gathers weekly on Thursday morning at 8:30 am to
worship as a faith community. Students, Faculty and Staff work together to plan
liturgies and prayer services in which the entire student body attends. Parents,
Guardians and family members are welcomed and encouraged to attend. As part
of the liturgy preparation, the students participate in the readings, prepare the
Prayers of the Faithful, assist the priest as altar servers, and participate in our
wonderful school choir!
worship as a faith community. Students, Faculty and Staff work together to plan
liturgies and prayer services in which the entire student body attends. Parents,
Guardians and family members are welcomed and encouraged to attend. As part
of the liturgy preparation, the students participate in the readings, prepare the
Prayers of the Faithful, assist the priest as altar servers, and participate in our
wonderful school choir!
Liturgy of the Word
The first Thursday of the month we also participate in the Liturgy of the Word
with the Cathedral Parish Deacon or the Director of Religious Education.
The first Thursday of the month we also participate in the Liturgy of the Word
with the Cathedral Parish Deacon or the Director of Religious Education.
Prayer
Prayer at St. Patrick Cathedral School is part of every school day, beginning with a
communal Morning Assembly Prayer Service led by Student Council officers,
weekly Masses and meditating on the mysteries of the rosary with recitation of
one decade of the rosary during the Advent and Lent seasons. Opportunities for
prayer are also offered throughout the day in the classroom and each day ends in
prayer.
communal Morning Assembly Prayer Service led by Student Council officers,
weekly Masses and meditating on the mysteries of the rosary with recitation of
one decade of the rosary during the Advent and Lent seasons. Opportunities for
prayer are also offered throughout the day in the classroom and each day ends in
prayer.
Seasonal Celebrations
The school calendar incorporates the Liturgical Calendar of the Church, observing
Feast Days, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Ordinary time.
Students celebrate the miracle of Christmas through a reenactment of the
Nativity along with the Posada.
The school calendar incorporates the Liturgical Calendar of the Church, observing
Feast Days, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Ordinary time.
Students celebrate the miracle of Christmas through a reenactment of the
Nativity along with the Posada.
At the Triduum we celebrate Passover with the Passion of Christ with a
presentation of the Living Stations of the Cross.
In the month of May we honor our Blessed Mother with a May Crowning
presentation of the Living Stations of the Cross.
In the month of May we honor our Blessed Mother with a May Crowning
Ceremony
We also acknowledge major feast days such as The Assumption of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, Archangels, St. Francis of Assisi (Blessing of the Animals), The
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, San Juan Diego, Our Lady of
Guadalupe, and St. Patrick.
We also acknowledge major feast days such as The Assumption of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, Archangels, St. Francis of Assisi (Blessing of the Animals), The
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, San Juan Diego, Our Lady of
Guadalupe, and St. Patrick.
Sacraments
Preparing for the Sacraments are significant spiritual milestones that students
experience alongside their classmates. Parents and Guardians are included in
preparing their children for reception of the Sacraments through adult education
evenings and retreats.
St. Patrick Cathedral School students in 1st grade begin preparing for, and in the
2nd grade receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist during
the school year.
The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated while the students are in high school
in the Diocese of El Paso.
Practicing Catholic students who have received their First Communion may
receive Eucharist during school Masses. Catholics and non-Catholics who are not
prepared to receive communion are encouraged to come forward for a blessing.
All students who receive the Sacraments must be baptized Catholic.
Preparing for the Sacraments are significant spiritual milestones that students
experience alongside their classmates. Parents and Guardians are included in
preparing their children for reception of the Sacraments through adult education
evenings and retreats.
St. Patrick Cathedral School students in 1st grade begin preparing for, and in the
2nd grade receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist during
the school year.
The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated while the students are in high school
in the Diocese of El Paso.
Practicing Catholic students who have received their First Communion may
receive Eucharist during school Masses. Catholics and non-Catholics who are not
prepared to receive communion are encouraged to come forward for a blessing.
All students who receive the Sacraments must be baptized Catholic.
Altar Servers
St. Patrick Cathedral School enjoys a strong connection with the Cathedral. Many
students choose to serve the parish in the Altar Server Ministry. Beginning in the
third grade, all children are invited to train as an altar server. The training is
conducted under the supervision of our parish Deacon. Students are then
St. Patrick Cathedral School enjoys a strong connection with the Cathedral. Many
students choose to serve the parish in the Altar Server Ministry. Beginning in the
third grade, all children are invited to train as an altar server. The training is
conducted under the supervision of our parish Deacon. Students are then
encouraged to serve at both school and parish Masses. The primary role of the
altar server is to assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy during the Mass.
altar server is to assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy during the Mass.
Buddies
Want to warm your heart? Come watch how well our older students support and
join in learning and social activities with our young students. Grade 8 students
buddy with Pre-School. Students read to each other, attend Mass together, and
join together for any number of activities and learning experiences. The best
though, is when buddies of any grade...see each other as they pass on campus;
they extend a smile, high-five, a hug, or point that finger and say, “I know you!!!”
Our Buddy experiences provide that very necessary sense of belonging for each
person in St. Patrick Cathedral School.
Want to warm your heart? Come watch how well our older students support and
join in learning and social activities with our young students. Grade 8 students
buddy with Pre-School. Students read to each other, attend Mass together, and
join together for any number of activities and learning experiences. The best
though, is when buddies of any grade...see each other as they pass on campus;
they extend a smile, high-five, a hug, or point that finger and say, “I know you!!!”
Our Buddy experiences provide that very necessary sense of belonging for each
person in St. Patrick Cathedral School.
Service
St. Patrick Cathedral School students are encouraged to share their gifts and
talents in order to enrich the greater community by doing direct and indirect
service year-round.
St. Patrick Cathedral School students are encouraged to share their gifts and
talents in order to enrich the greater community by doing direct and indirect
service year-round.
Families (Parents & Guardians)
"Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children.
They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where
tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and service are the rule."
They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where
tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and service are the rule."
-- Catechism of the Catholic Church
Parents and guardians play an essential role in the success of St. Patrick Cathedral
School. They contribute time, talent and treasure all for the betterment of their
children and all the students of the school. We could not succeed without their
contributions and are forever grateful for all they do.
School. They contribute time, talent and treasure all for the betterment of their
children and all the students of the school. We could not succeed without their
contributions and are forever grateful for all they do.
St. Patrick Cathedral School Parents and Guardians work to...
- Be role models for generosity, service, spirituality and other positive values.
- Give our children the most complete school experience possible.
- Ensure opportunities for our children to grow.
- Facilitate enriching experiences for children and families.
- Develop positive relationships within the community.
- Generate school spirit and respect.
Our parents and guardians generously contribute their time, talent and treasure
to help make St. Patrick Cathedral School the wonderful place we know it to be.
All parents and guardians make a commitment to volunteer at least twenty (20)
hours a year of their time to the school.
to help make St. Patrick Cathedral School the wonderful place we know it to be.
All parents and guardians make a commitment to volunteer at least twenty (20)
hours a year of their time to the school.