At Light of Christ Catholic Schools (LOCCS), we greatly value the relationships and partnerships with the clergy and their parishes, who are integral members of our school division family. Their presence enriches our hallways, inspires our students and staff, and provides a living example of faith in action.
We don’t just value these relationships; we prioritize them. As part of this commitment, we collect monthly data from our seven schools on the various faith-based activities occurring in the schools and the connections made with the clergy. This data allows us to celebrate our successes and also share them with our Board, parishes, and stakeholders.
For the 2024-2025 school year, the results of this collaboration were truly inspiring. Between September and May, our clergy engaged in over 402 opportunities to connect with our students, outside of the regular monthly school Masses. These connections consisted of over 178 whole-school visits and over 224 classroom visits.
The clergy are active participants in our schools and offer support in a variety of ways. Their presence supports the faith life of the students, staff, and the school through activities such as backpack blessings, Advent wreath ceremonies, Remembrance Day services, and various liturgical celebrations throughout the year.
They also help to build community through their informal and formal visits. Some of the informal visits included joining family BBQs, cheering at Track & Field days, participating in the high-energy “Staff vs.Students” sports games, and joining students in a game or visit at recess. Some of the more formal planned visits included activities such as supporting classroom teachings on topics like the lives of Saints or the Seven Social Teachings, reading stories, and helping lead school retreats. All of these moments allowed students the opportunity to get to know the clergy as mentors, teachers, and friends.
Continuous strengthening of these relationships will always be a focus for LOCCS. We are deeply grateful to our clergy for sharing their time, wisdom, and heart. They truly embody and live our three core pillars: Pray, Educate, Serve. We are excited for our continued journey together as we deepen these bonds and nurture a community where faith is felt and shared every single day.
