Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry plays a vital role in a Saint Lawrence education. It provides a diversity of spiritual opportunities through which our students can deepen their understanding of themselves as individuals and of their faith as Catholic Christians. The Academy welcomes students of different faith traditions to share in our common concern for the spiritual and moral development of all persons. Campus Ministry helps each student to develop a deep commitment to be "women and men for and with others."
Contact Information:
Director of Campus Ministry: Martin Argenti
Phone Number: 408-296-3013 ext. 341
Fax Number: 408-296-3794
Email: margenti@saintlawrence.org
RETREAT PROGRAM
All students are able to participate each year in their class' annual retreat. The freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior retreats are designed around a theme relevant to the age and developmental level of the participating class. The retreat program helps build community, develops an awareness of each person's spirituality, allows reflection on God's presence in our lives, integrates spirituality into everyday life, and helps students to discover what it means to live as Christians. The size of our classes allows us to send them on retreats as entire groups, thus reinforcing the sense of community.
- August 15, 2010 - Orientation on campus
- September 23, 2010 - Senior Breakaway Day at Central Park
- October 27, 2010 - Sophomore Breakaway Day
- February 16, 2011 – Freshman Retreat
- March 10-11, 2011 - Junior Retreat
- April 13, 2011 - Senior Retreat Vigil in the Church
- April 13 - 15, 2011 - Senior Retreat
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Each student at Saint Lawrence Academy completes a 100-hour community service requirement prior to graduation. In fulfilling the requirement, each student can reflect on the Gospel message of service to others. Students work with a variety of non-profit organizations throughout Silicon Valley. During the 2009 - 2010 school year, the Saint Lawrence Academy community performed more than 8,000 hours of service.
Students are able to select from a wide variety of community service opportunities and service locations. Some of the sites most frequently visited by Saint Lawrence Academy students are:
- Sacred Heart Community Center
- Martha's Kitchen
- Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley
- Agnews Developmental Center
- Loaves and Fishes
- San Jose Family Shelter
- San Tomas Convalescent Hospital
- Second Harvest Food Bank
- Special Olympics
- Atria
- Cypress Senior Center
- Green Pastures
- Independent Peer Socialization Training Program
- Live Oak Adult Day Services
- Sunnyside Gardens
SERVICE PLUNGES
Saint Lawrence Academy offers students to experience service through intensive Service Plunges. Through day or overnight service plunges, students are immersed in the service experience visiting a wide variety of community sites.
- November 6 – day service plunge
- January 28 – 29 – overnight service plunge
- April 2 – day service plunge
LITURGY
Saint Lawrence Academy is the only high school in the Diocese of San Jose with a church on the campus, where mass specifically for high school students is celebrated on the second Friday of each month by Parish Pastor Thuc Si Ho. Students and faculty help in the preparation and presentation of the liturgies, which celebrate our lives, our diversity, and God's presence in our lives through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
SUMMER IMMERSION TRIP
For a number of years, the Saint Lawrence Academy community has participated in a Summer Immersion Trip to Mexico. Due to safety concerns over the past two summers, Saint Lawrence Academy did not travel down to Mexico. For the 2010 – 2011 school year, the school is looking at Immersion trip opportunities within the United States borders.