Campus Ministry & Service

The tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet underscores everything at St. Mary’s Academy. Students walk in the footsteps of our founders by striving for unifying love of God and the dear neighbor both on and off campus. The campus ministry and Christian service programs at SMA foster the personal and spiritual growth within each Belle that is needed to respond to our call to live out our Christian discipleship and CSJ charism of working toward "unity of neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God."

Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry serves as the spiritual heart of St. Mary's Academy, encouraging students to actively deepen their faith and self-understanding. This spiritual growth happens through a variety of experiences, including student-led Christian formation, retreats, liturgies, service, Sharing of the Heart (a spiritual practice from the CSJ tradition), and other formation opportunities throughout the year. The Campus Ministry leadership team, LACE (Leading Always by Christ's Example), commits to leading campus-wide faith formation and prayer. With the guidance of LACE, SMA students work together to cultivate a unifying love of God and neighbor through both required and optional experiences.

Mass

School-wide Masses, in which the school comes together as a community of faith, are offered at least once a month. Parents and guardians are always encouraged to attend our monthly school Masses. We invite priests from our neighboring parishes and parishes our Belles attend. Each school Mass has a theme or is offered with a special intention. This is a sacred time for our community to come together in prayer and worship.

Reconciliation

A school-wide Reconciliation service takes place during the season of Lent as we get closer to Holy Week. Students have the opportunity to go to private confessions with a priest once the communal Reconciliation service with the whole school is complete.

Prayer

Various prayer opportunities are offered throughout the year, including Examens (guided mediation prayer) and Sharing of the Heart (rooted in our CSJ charism.)

Retreats

Retreats are a foundational experience for every Belle, providing the sacred time and space essential for deep personal and spiritual growth. Rooted in the CSJ charism of unity and love of the dear neighbor, these retreats allow students to reflect, connect more deeply with God, build strong sisterhood, and grow in understanding of self and others. Because of their vital role in spiritual, personal, and communal development, all students are expected to participate annually. These experiences are coordinated by the Director of Campus Ministry and supervised by faculty and staff. All retreats are full-day, off-campus experiences, with the exception of the immersive Kairos Senior Retreat, a three-day, two-night journey.

Kairos

Kairos (Greek for "God’s time") is a powerful and essential retreat experience for every St. Mary’s Academy senior. For three days at Camp Pondo in Running Springs, Belles step away from their daily routine to connect deeply with their classmates, reflect on their journey at SMA, and discern the path where God is calling them next. Students consistently return from Kairos with an unbreakable sisterhood bond and a profound, living awareness of God’s active presence in their lives.

student receiving communion
Christian Service

The Christian service program is an integral part of the SMA student experience, helping us develop generous, responsible citizens and leaders. Our commitment is rooted in the fundamental mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet: a focus on unifying love and serving the dear neighbor without distinction. Belles put this faith into action wholeheartedly, serving their communities by exercising cultural responsibility, committing to promoting a just society, and demonstrating spiritual consciousness. Service with the vulnerable and marginalized is not just a requirement; it is an essential part of our rich educational tradition. From the annual school-wide Day of Service during St. Joseph’s Week to the minimum 20 hours required each school year, service is deeply integrated into the SMA culture.