UPPER SCHOOL
Faith in Action
Lacordaire Academy, through its Campus Ministry program, is dedicated to living out the Dominican charisms of study, prayer, preaching, and community. Through caring for others, preaching the Good News, and protecting the environment, the Academy offers numerous opportunities for students to serve their school, local, and even global communities. Whether as part of Mission Club, Environmental Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, or the Preachers, Upper School students lead and serve others as tutors, volunteers, fund-raisers, and stewards of the Earth.
All Upper School students are required to complete a minimum of 16 hours of Faith in Action community service hours per year. At least half of these hours must be carried out off of the Lacordaire campus and in their local communities. Through the Lacordaire Campus Ministry program, students have the opportunity to serve at soup kitchens and food pantries, non-profit organizations, as well as attend service trips throughout the country.
Lacordaire Academy Seniors have the opportunity to put the Gospel message of service to work through Project Justice. They complete an additional 60 hours of service within local organizations serving the needs of young children, the elderly, and the handicapped.
Use your God-given gifts to serve others
1 Peter 4:10
Spirituality
Outside of serving their community, Lacordaire Upper School ladies participate in many other activities that foster spiritual growth. All of Lacordaire Academy participates in regular liturgies throughout the school year on Holy Days of Obligation and holidays as well as school-wide Reconciliation. The Upper School ladies have the opportunities to become Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, members of the Lacordaire Choir, and Preachers. As Dominican Preachers, these young ladies share the Good News with their school community through preaching at Masses and prayer services, facilitating retreats for Upper, Lower, and Middle school students, and participating in the Dominican High School Preaching Conference.
As a Dominican High School, the Campus Ministry program is also dedicated to creating and sustaining relationships between the Lacordaire students and the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell, NJ. Sisters frequently visit the Lacordaire campus to spend time in classrooms and give witness talks on many different topics. Lacordaire students also participate in many events and work with many organizations sponsored by the Caldwell Dominican Sisters such as First Friends, National Catholic Sisters Week, and St. Catherine’s Convent in Caldwell, NJ.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
From being a Eucharistic Minister at school Masses, to serving the underprivileged and marginalized members of society, to guiding one another in contemplation, prayer, and faith as retreat leaders and Dominican Preachers, the students of Lacordaire Academy are challenged to put their FAITH INTO ACTION every day.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
James 2:14-17
MIDDLE & LOWER SCHOOLS
In keeping with our Catholic Dominican tradition, it is our goal to provide offerings that allow students the ability to deepen their faith and spirituality. Each day we practice the values that enable us to grow in our relationships with God and others.
Our Lower School offers a Sacramental Program for students who are baptized Catholics as part of our Religion curriculum. In second grade, students receive preparation for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. The sacrament of Reconciliation is held on campus in our convent chapel. Additionally, Lacordaire works in conjunction with the parishes of our students. Although sacramental students receive their First Communion through their parish, our community holds a special celebratory mass for our communicants. We enjoy being a part of our students’ faith journey.
Our Middle School ministry program focuses on the value and importance of being a role model for our younger students. All Middle School students participate in our Big Brother/Sister Program, partnering with Lower School students and serving as their buddies and mentors throughout the academic year. They also have the option to volunteer their time to serve as tutors and homework helpers.
Throughout the year, Lacordaire participates in community-minded activities, such as letter writing campaigns to soldiers abroad, card campaigns for hospitalized children, food and clothing drives, and visits to senior residences. Students have extended opportunities to partake in service-related offerings, such as our Student Council and One World Club. All students participate in monthly liturgies or prayer services, and we begin each school day with a prayer and reflection.