Spiritual Life

Students and teachers come together each week for a Wednesday chapel service. Gathering to pray together is supportive and nourishing for our community. These weekly services usually include hymns, readings from scripture, communal prayers, a time for meditation, and an opportunity for a student or faculty member to share an experience or some thoughts with the rest of our school community. Themes for chapel services throughout the year include service, cultural traditions, holy holidays, and student milestones.

Sunday Mass is a regular part of resident life. Day students and their families are always welcome as well. Significant Masses are also celebrated during the school year, including Opening of School Mass, our annual St. Catherine of Siena Mass, and Baccalaureate Mass. Our special Candlelight Mass for the Christmas season is a highlight for our students and alumnae and is a longstanding tradition at school.

Each class spends time during the year performing various community service activities. These have included habitat restoration, food preparation for homeless shelters, clothing drives, and beach cleanups.

Confirmation classes are taught to juniors and seniors every other year. The bishop of the Diocese of Monterey comes to school and administers the sacrament to the confirmandi.

An ongoing invitation for silent prayer is provided for students in the Rosary Chapel, which is open every day. Special weekly prayer services during Advent and Lent are offered as well.

As Pope Paul VI said, “If you want peace, you must work for justice.” Students learn about important social justice issues in their Religious Studies classes and are encouraged to put their concerns into action in a variety of ways at Santa Catalina, including through club activities.

In Santa Catalina's culture of openness, students enjoy opportunities to learn about the traditions of a diversity of faiths.