Aquinas Catholic MS/HS Discipleship Program
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us: “The disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it…” (CCC 1816)
The Aquinas Discipleship Program is designed to help students intentionally grow as disciples in Christ by forming servant hearts through four dimensions: Personal Formation, Service to Parish, Service to School, and Service to Community. Through these experiences, students are invited to encounter Christ, live their faith in concrete ways, and cultivate the habits of lifelong discipleship.
The Four Dimensions
Personal Formation
Growing in relationship with Christ through intentional faith formation and spiritual growth.
Examples
- Teens Encounter Christ Retreat TEC
- For 2nd Semester Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors
- Register 3-8 weeks in advance
- Eucharistic Adoration or parish holy hours
- Parish youth group or approved faith formation opportunities
- Family faith formation projects
- Bible studies or Catholic book studies
- Other approved formation experiences (ie creating prayer opportunities outside school hours)
Service to School
Building up the Aquinas community by serving fellow students, faculty, staff, and school programs.
Examples
- Tutoring or mentoring younger students
- Assisting teachers or staff outside the school day (or during study hours/free period)
- Including Summer classroom prep
- Campus beautification or improvement projects
- Helping keep the chapel clean (basic vacuuming, dusting etc)
- School event preparation or clean-up (outside school hours)
- Helping with concessions OUTSIDE club/organization expectations
Service to Parish
Participating in the life and mission of the Church while giving back in gratitude to the parish communities whose faithful support makes Aquinas Catholic Schools possible.
Examples
- Parish dinner/fundraiser
- Altar serving
- Parish choir or music ministry
- Religious education assistance
- Parish office or clerical help
- Church cleaning, parish grounds, or cemetery care
- Contact your Parish pastor or secretary
Service to Community
Serving others with generosity and compassion while living out the Gospel beyond the walls of Aquinas.
Examples
- Food pantry or meal ministry
- Columbus: Simon House (help serve meals, via St Mary’s Parish)
- Contact: Bridging our community
- Blue Valley
- Visiting or serving residents of nursing homes
- Serving elderly or homebound neighbors
- Community clean-up projects
- Pro-life service opportunities
- Volunteering with approved nonprofit organizations
- Serving neighbors or others in need
Annual Expectations
- Each student in grades 6–12 will complete an annual Discipleship Plan during the first quarter of the school year. Students are encouraged to prayerfully select meaningful, age-appropriate projects within each of the Four Dimensions that foster personal growth and service to others.
- Projects should collectively reflect approximately fifteen (15) hours of participation throughout the school year. The Discipleship Plan will be reviewed with the student’s Society Mentor and signed by a parent or guardian in the first quarter. Transfer students will have their expectations prorated by the administration.
- The purpose of the Discipleship Plan is to encourage students to intentionally consider how they will grow as disciples in Christ throughout each of their school years rather than simply fulfilling a school requirement
Completing a Project
Finished a project? Complete a Reflection Page!
The Reflection Page replaces the Service Sheet used in previous years. Just like the former Service Sheet, students will record the project or experience they completed, the date, participation hours, and a brief description of what they did.
The new Reflection Page also invites students to take the next step: to pause and consider how the experience helped them grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Remember: A project is considered complete once the Reflection Page has been submitted.
Opportunity Calendar
Looking for ways to complete your Discipleship Plan? This calendar provides ideas and upcoming opportunities.
New opportunities will be added throughout the year, so students and families are encouraged to check back regularly.
Have an opportunity to add? Contact Melissa Yindrick (Campus Ministry Director) at 402-367-3175