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.
http://slacampusministry.blogspot.com
Important Dates
- August 15 Freshman Orientation from 9 am 3 pm in the Community Center and Academy
- August 15 New Parent Coffee at 10 am in the Parish Hall
- August 17 Uniform sales from 3 7 pm in the Academy Library
- August 19 First day of classes; school pictures taken
- August 19 Finance Council Meeting at 6:30 pm in the Rectory
- August 25 Chalk the Walk at lunch in the pavilion
- August 25 Magazine drive begins
- August 27 Welcome Back Rally at 1:15 pm in the Community Center
- August 27 Welcome Back Mixer from 7:30 10:30 pm in the Community Center
- August 30 Back-to-School Night beginning at 6:30 pm in the Church
- August 31 School theme day to include freshman elections
- September 1 Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated with the Elementary and Middle Schools at 8:30 am in the Church
- September 2 Pastoral Parish Council Meeting at 7 pm in the Rectory
- September 3 Minimum Day 12:15 dismissal
- September 6 LABOR DAY No school
- September 7 Parent Club Meeting at 7 pm in the Little Theater
- September 9 Education Council Meeting at 6:30 pm in SLEMS Faculty Lounge
- September 10 Mass at 8:30 am in the Church
- September 10 Freshman Zacchaeus Retreat from 8:30 am 2:30 pm
- September 11 Parent Club BBQ from 11 am 2 pm in the pavilion
- September 14 High School Information Night from 7 8:30 pm at Most Holy Trinity School
- September 14 Mens Club Meeting at 6:30 pm in the pavilion
- September 15 Youth Advisory Board Meeting at 6:30 pm in the Rectory
- September 16 Finance Council Meeting at 6:30 pm in the Rectory
- September 16 High School Information Night from 7 8:30 pm at St. Lucy School
- September 17 Trivia Game Night from 7 9 pm in the Parish Hall
- September 17 Student Council Lock-In from 7 pm until 8 am on September 18 in the Academy building
- September 20 High School Information Night from 7 8:30 pm at St. Catherine School
- September 20 Toilet Paper Drive begins
- September 22 Magazine drive ends
- September 23 High School Information Night from 7 8:30 pm at St. Clare School
- September 23 Senior Breakaway Day
- September 24 Celtic Pride Day
- September 24 Celebrity Sandwich Day at lunch in the pavilion
- September 24 Laps for Lyme and Lymphoma from 8 11 pm at Rollin Ice
- September 25 Campus Restoration Day from 9 am 4 pm
- September 26 Academy Sponsored Mass at 6 pm in the Church
- September 27 Make up Picture Day
- September 28 High School Information Night from 7 8:30 pm at Holy Spirit School
- September 30 High School Information Night from 7 8:30 pm at St. John Vianney School
- September 30 Class of 2011 College Night at 7 pm in the Church
School News
ACADEMY WELCOMES NEW FACULTY AND STAFF
As the Academy prepares for the arrival of new students and the reappearance of returning students, the Academy also welcomes some new faculty and staff. Joining the Academy for the 2010 – 2011 school year are:
Kelly DeBarr who will be joining the staff as a Spanish instructor, teaching levels 1 and 3. Additionally, Kelly is interested in coaching swimming, working in Campus Ministry and involving herself with activities dealing with foreign language.
Richard (Rick) Louie is our joining our science department. Rick will be teaching Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, Physics and Honors Physics. Rick comes to St. Lawrence Academy with a wealth of experience in teaching at small Catholic high schools, having worked at both Bishop Garces High School in Bakersfield and St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High School in Watsonville.
Kelly Schlernitzauer has joined our front office staff as school register. Having worked at Harker Academy for ten years, Kelly brings a wealth of front office experience to our campus.
And, Janet Yamada has stepped into the role of Development Director for the Education Center. Janet has been a volunteer at the Education Center for a number of years. She has a wealth of fundraising and event planning experience both here at Saint Lawrence and with her volunteer work with Girl Scouts (Troop 61331), San Jose Youth Community Service, and Suzume no Gakko, a Japanese culture program.
We welcome all of our new personnel and wish them the best of luck in the upcoming school year.
