Faith Formation Department
The Faith Formation Department provides a robust and unique experience that blends together religious studies, liturgical and prayer life, retreat ministry, and service learning. Seeking to engage both the minds and hearts of students in the spirit of Blessed Basil Moreau, we provide an environment in which students develop their faith and understanding of God, in and out of the classroom.
Grounded in the Holy Cross charism and spirit, the Faith Formation Department strives to cultivate a deeper and more mature reflection on Jesus’ message, Church teachings, and our individual and communal response to these. Students are presented with an academic and pastoral understanding of the Catholic faith that empowers them to make an informed and intelligent commitment to their own personal faith, life, and tradition.
Mrs. Abbott received her B.A. in English from Arcadia University and her M.A. in Humanities from Salve Regina University. Mrs. Abbott has been at Notre Dame for over 20 years. Mrs. Abbott was honored with the Archdiocesan Summa Scholars Award in both 2014 and 2017 for her “exceptional time, energy, care and love for her students in the pursuit of academic excellence.” Mrs. Abbott is the moderator of the Book Club, Knights of the Round Table, and oversees the Writing Center tutors.
Service Program
The Notre Dame High School Community lives the Gospel call to serve through the vision of the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau. Moreau’s vision is summed up in these words regarding our students:
"We shall always place education side by side with instruction; the mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart."
–Bl. Basil Moreau C.S.C, Circular Letter 36, 1849
Therefore, the student, being educated in the tradition of the Congregation of Holy Cross, will find the challenge to growth directed toward both his mind and his heart. Christian service is then an integral and necessary part of a Notre Dame education in the Holy Cross tradition.
The Service Program at Notre Dame High School was conceived in an effort to respond to the recent challenges of the global pandemic and our response as people of hope. More importantly, it serves to fulfill our mandate as Holy Cross people of faith to have the competence to see and courage to act.
"The mission is not simple, for the impoverishments we would relieve are not simple. There are networks of privilege, prejudice and power so commonplace that often neither oppressors nor victims are aware of them. We must be aware and also understanding by reason of fellowship with the impoverished and by reason of patient learning. For the kingdom to come in this world, disciples must have the competence to see and the courage to act."
–Holy Cross Constitutions
The Competence to See and Courage to Act
The service program is designed around six key components; Research, Inquiry, Engagement and Resilience, Creativity, Documentation, and Reflection. Each of these components can be found in detail on the Service Ministry Google Classroom Page. Code: 2az5y3e A list of steps, student guide, and other resources are available here.
Teacher guidance, progress, and reflection will all be an important part of our teacher advisory program throughout the academic year.
Members of the Class of 2025 will complete their service projects within their Teacher Advisory Class. TA Teachers and Senior Peer Counselors will guide the TA group to design their projects in September, and carry out their service projects throughout the school year.
Members of the Classes of 2024 and 2023 will complete their service requirements individually. Students may also work collaboratively in small groups if they choose to. Students may choose to begin their service projects during the summer 23 months, or begin them at the onset of the new school year. Each step will have an assigned due date throughout the first semester. Steps 1-3 will be due during Quarter 1 , Steps 4-6 will be due during Quarter 2. All service requirements will be due by the end of the first semester.
Members of the class of 2022 Senior service will be completed through the Social Studies Department. This will include a service requirement of volunteer work for a political campaign. The candidate will be of the student’s choice. Students will also complete a Faithful Citizenship Project connecting the political campaign to the Church’s teachings. As a Holy Cross community, we are called to inspire each other to ask the tough questions and more importantly take action.
The Competence to See and Courage to Act
Step 1: Research
- Interest Survey
- Identify areas of student civic interest
- Identify local/national/international organizations and nonprofit entities that support efforts in chosen areas of interest that serve the community.
- Suggestions: Environmental agencies, nursing homes, libraries, schools, churches, food banks, veteran affairs, Rotary, Lions, Elks, Read to Grow
Step 2: Inquire
- Choose and contact an organization and ask; How can I help? Make suggestions
- Be resilient. Don’t give up. If your first choice says “no thank you” then try another
Step 3: Engagement
- Establish a contact person and become part of their team.
Step 4: Create
- Design your project. What is it you are going to do? How are you going to do it? Who are you going to serve?
Step 5: Document
- Keep records of time and activity. If permitted, take videos, pictures, etc.
Step 6: Reflection and Presentation. Respond to these 6 reflection questions and make a presentation to your TA.
- Why did you choose this area of interest (Step 1 Research & Step 2 Inquiry)
- Why did you choose this organization (Step 1 Research & Step 2 Inquiry).
- What did you do? (Step 3 Engagement, Step 4 Create, Step 5 Documentation)
- How did this make you more caring?
- How has this challenged you, or changed your perspective?
- How did you achieve the competence to see and what gave you the courage to act?
