What are some activities at school that make it a spiritual as well as fun place?

January 27, 2005

"Religion class is fun. Sometimes we play games. Taking religion tests are fun. We review it and it is fun. Saying prayers in the morning and before lunch is good because I believe in God."

- Caitlin Murphy, Spalding Catholic, Alton/Hospers

"There are many activities at school that make it spiritual and fun. After we go to Mass on Wednesdays our priest comes in and gives us a fun lesson or we play a fun game. In 4th or 5th grade you get to go to Sioux City to the Cathedral and to Trinity Heights. Everyday we have a religion lesson. In 6th grade we get to go to the Grotto in West Bend. It is a shrine made out of rocks. Often in any of our classes we start talking about what would Jesus do in that situation or what do you think God thinks about that. I like it at school because it can be spiritual but also fun."

- Andrew Crawford, sixth grade, St. Rose of Lima School, Denison

"Choir is an activity at Saint Edmond that I have been involved in for four years. While participating, choir has allowed me to express my spirituality through song in a joyful prayer. We sing many songs of praise in and outside of class, including church, concerts and contests."

- Gina Delucca, a senior at St. Edmond High School, Fort Dodge

"There are several ways. The Christian Leadership Team has done everything setting up the gym for the Christmas mass to our back-to-school dance, Musketeers Hockey game to having a movie night and raising money for Mission Honduras. For our fundraiser for the Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Shelter, the National Honor Society's had a competition between the staff and students to see who could raise the most money per person. I cannot think of a better place than Catholic Schools. The students are close. Although we may have different likes and dislikes, we all get along."

- Kelli Langel, a junior at Gehlen High School, Le Mars

"These are the things that make Catholic Schools special to me: When we have prayer service after lunch. When we say the rosary during class. When we have religion class. When we have Mass every Friday to worship God."

- Ashley Bindel, 5th grader at Pocahontas Catholic School

"Some activities that Remsen St. Mary's has that make it spiritual and fun are our weekly school liturgies. We all get to participate. I have a lot of good friends here and the teachers are nice. We learn academic and life-long skills that will help us to be contributing citizens of the world."

- Chad Weiler, 8th grader at St. Mary's, Remsen

"At St. Patrick's we have many ways to keep religion fun and interesting while increasing our faith and spirituality. All of our teachers are very supportive and helpful when it comes to talking about our faith. We have fun and upbeat religious music that everyone has fun listening to as well as performing at Mass. Each week we have a school Mass that is planned by a certain class and the students get to participate by doing the various parts. Every Monday when we start our week, the whole school gathers in the hallway for hall prayer where we hear Scripture passages, sing and talk about the Gospel from the weekend. Some fun things we do include having fun activities for Catholic Schools Week like Pajama Day, Dressy Day, School Spirit Day and Class Color Day. We also do religious activities like decorating the classroom door in a religious theme. We also have fun games and activities that help us in our religion class to study and better understand the Catholic faith like Bible searches and Bible crosswords."

- Ashley Wagner, 8th grader at St. Patrick's, Sheldon

"Some things that we do at Holy Cross that are spiritual and fun are learning about God and Jesus in a fun way by going on field trips like the Queen of Peace. Another reason is because kids in every grade can say a prayer on the intercom. That is what we do at Holy Cross that is fun and spiritual."

- Christie Lanphier, 5th grader at Holy Cross School, Sioux City

"We have many activities that allow us to incorporate our faith while having fun at the same time. I'll always remember the Christmas dinner we have every year as a school family in they gymnasium. After our meal, a small program is presented to allow us to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Christ Jesus. During the spring, classes work outside for Earth Day before ending the day in the park for an outdoor Mass. Also throughout the year, many speakers are brought in to share their experiences on how God affected their life. Many topics that teenagers and adults can relate to have been covered, ranging from drunk driving to bullying and stereotypes. Students also have the opportunity to actively participate during school Masses, by providing musical talent in the choir, playing instruments or serve as lectors, altar servers or eucharistic and hospitality ministers. All of these activities greatly enhance the spiritual atmosphere here at St. Mary's while also allowing both teachers and students to thoroughly enjoy themselves."

- Katie Larsen, senior at St. Mary's, Storm Lake