Faith at the Heart
of Our Community
Shared faith and community are at the center of life at Nativity.
Students, teachers and faculty come together for prayer and pledge each morning. Weekly morning MASS is attended by our student body and individual class-led MASS is held each month. These liturgies give us multiple opportunities to celebrate and worship together as a school community.
Rooted in our identity, our Catholic Faith compels us to love and serve within our school, neighborhood and global society. We are a service-oriented community that has been recognized as leaders in service and outreach. We live our school year with prayer, service, the Sacraments and spiritual reflection that strengthens the integrity of our student body.
Service and Outreach
"In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first… We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation."
- Statement from the USCCB
As part of our Catholic identity at Nativity, we are called to live out our faith through service to others. Students gain an increased awareness of the needs of our neighbors through outreach programs, fundraisers, drives, and our school-wide Day of Service.
Striving to become more productive members of the Church and society, students give their time and talents in accordance with their grade level to make an impact in the world today.
Day of Service
We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
- USCCB, Catholic Social Teaching
As a Catholic school, we are called to move outside our hallways and enter into society to serve our neighbors. Our Day of Service gives students the opportunity to learn the joy and responsibility of serving others.
Care for God’s People
→ Monthly clothing donations to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
→ Annual food drive to feed 400 families at Christmas
→ Valentine Grams
→ Socks for Sacrifice
→ Pencils for Promises
→ Annual whole school Day of Service
Care for God’s Creation
→ Student Waste and Recycle Program
→ Annual clean-up of our neighborhood garden
Pastor Visits
Nativity Church’s Pastor, Very Rev. Fr. Mark Doherty, embraces a active role at the school with weekly visits and by working with students who are preparing to receive the Sacraments.
Fr. Doherty, Fr. Kyle Faller, Deacon Dominick Peloso, and a team of students from St. Patrick’s Seminary make weekly visits to our school to teach a lesson in theology, touch base with the students, or even play a game at recess. These casual and sometimes impromptu visits are a vital part of developing faith for our students as well as ensuring our strong Catholic Identity. Students have the opportunity to ask moral the theological questions as well as learn more about the Sacraments and Scripture.
Masses & Prayer Services
Faith is woven into daily life at Nativity—through prayer, service, and liturgical celebrations that nurture both personal and communal growth.
Sacraments
Sharing in the Sacraments is an indispensable part of the Catholic - Christian life. Nativity prepares students to receive the Sacraments.
First Reconciliation & First Eucharist (First Holy Communion)
This two-year program begins informally in 1st grade at both the Nativity School of Religion and Nativity School and culminates in the Spring of 2nd grade with both 1st Reconciliation and 1st Eucharist. The program includes reading, activities, retreats, community service and a church field trip. There is an emphasis on understanding the MASS, the Eucharistic miracle and God’s forgiveness and mercy in this, the 2nd Sacrament of Initiation.
In both the Nativity classrooms and the classrooms of the Sunday School, emphasis is placed on prayer, community and worship. Before each of the two Sacraments, one-day retreats are held to give students the space and freedom to prepare their hearts through prayer, art, music and reflection.
Confirmation
The final Sacrament of Initiation. Catholic Students in the Nativity School 8th grade or after 2 years in the Nativity School of Religion Confirmation Prep class receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the spring. Students are encouraged to deepen their relationship with Christ through student, service and prayer.
A one-day retreat is held locally off-site to give students an opportunity to reflect on their faith in a new environment. This, combined with the teachings on the Catechism of the Catholic Church helps build a solid foundation in the faith.
Altar Servers
Nativity School has a long tradition of student Altar Servers.
Open to students in 5th through 8th grades, boys and girls have the opportunity to become altar servers for Nativity Church. The primary goal of being an altar server is to grow in one’s faith and to serve the Nativity community.
Servers have the experience of serving God, being closest to hearing the Word, and carrying sacred items into the church.
