Faith

"The Catholic school forms part of the saving mission of the Church, especially for education in the faith. Remembering that 'the simultaneous development of man's psychological and moral consciousness is demanded by Christ almost as a pre-condition for the reception of the befitting divine gifts of truth and grace,' the Church fulfills her obligation to foster in her children a full awareness of their rebirth to a new life. It is precisely in the Gospel of Christ, taking root in the minds and lives of the faithful, that the Catholic school finds its definition as it comes to terms with the cultural conditions of the times."

(Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education, The Catholic School, para. 9)

Weekly School Masses

Nativity School Mass is usually on Tuesday morning at 8:15am.

Students also attend Masses on Holy Days of Obligation.

Students learn to openly express their faith and to build leadership skills by planning class liturgies and serving as altar servers, readers, gift bearers, and singing in our choir.

Parents are invited and encouraged to attend Mass.

As part of our Buddy Program, 5th-grade students sit with their Kindergarten Buddies during Mass, acting as mentors and caregivers.

Service to Others

Whether as part of a classroom project or as an individual mission, our students make service a part of their school and home life.  Our students have conducted projects to assist organizations such as Utopia Wildlife Center, Bartholomew County Humane Society, Love Chapel, Turning Point, and many others.  Several student clubs also work on service projects that involve the entire school.  At St. Bartholomew Catholic School, we make service a part of our everyday school life.

Middle School students are also required to complete 6-8 hours of community service per school year as part of their Religion grade. 

Sacraments

Sacrament of Reconciliation

In addition to the regular parish time for confession on Saturday from 3:00-4:00pm, there are generally two communal penance services during the year. Students are encouraged to attend the penance service in Advent for First Reconciliation in preparation for First Holy Communion.

First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion

In the second grade, children prepare for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. For the time leading up to these sacraments, preparation for them is the focus of religion classes. The entire family will also share in the excitement of this special time in their children’s lives through many at-home family projects.

Non-Catholic students participate in sacramental preparation along with their classmates. Although they do not take part in the sacrament itself, they have also made a special journey with their families and friends and are encouraged to attend First Reconciliation and First Communion services to share in the community celebration.

Confirmation

Preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation happens in the seventh grade religion class.