We Encourage Spiritual Growth in All Aspects of Life at CJ
We nurture the spiritual lives of CJ students through regular celebration of liturgies, retreats, small faith groups, and opportunities for prayer. Members of the ministry and service team are available to provide pastoral care and spiritual accompaniment to students.
Prayer is an essential part of the life of the CJ community, and is centered around the spiritualities and charisms of our two founding orders, the Marianists and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Each day begins and ends with prayer, with additional time for prayer and to share personal reflections at the beginning of classes. All-school liturgies are celebrated each month along with other sacramental opportunities.
- Daily Mass: In addition to the monthly all-school Mass, Daily Mass is often celebrated on designated days before school, with opportunities for sports teams, clubs, and groups to lead and participate.CJ is blessed to celebrate each all-school Mass and Baccalaureate at Emmanuel Catholic Church, a beautiful and historic Dayton landmark.Â
- Retreats: CJ offers a comprehensive retreat program led by peer leaders trained by the ministry and service staff and is designed to give students at each grade level the opportunity to develop themselves spiritually and interpersonally. All retreats are reviewed periodically and updated yearly to serve the spiritual needs of students.
- Freshman Retreat: This one-day retreat focuses on the reverence for self, others, and God and is a bonding experience for the freshman class. It inspires students to move beyond simple respect, and cultivate reverence for God and all of God’s creation. This retreat is required for all freshman students.
- Sophomore Retreat: This one-day retreat for sophomores focuses on integral ecology and what it means to care for our common home. Inspired by Laudato Si and the work of our founding orders, this retreat provides students with the opportunity to do service and reflect on how caring for the environment is a justice issue.This retreat is required for all sophomore students.
- Junior Retreat: An optional two day retreat for juniors challenges students to journey deeper into knowing themselves, building relationships with others and discovering Christ in their lives.Â
- Senior Retreat: Kairos is an optional three day experience for seniors that allows participants to grow in community and examine their relationship with God, self, and others and consider how they can put love into action in their lives. Alumni often tell us that this retreat was an essential component of their faith development and one of the highlights of their experience at CJ.
- Student Groups: Students can become involved with ministry through participation in one of these peer groups.
- Faith Leaders in God’s Hands Today (FLIGHT): The FLIGHT program provides a unique opportunity for a selected group of seniors to gain experience as servant leaders and to explore their faith together. FLIGHT is a non-credit class whose members prepare monthly liturgies, lead retreats, plan service activities and provide prayer experiences for the CJ community.Â
- LIFE Leadership: Senior students are invited to develop their leadership skills through a Christian Leadership course where they learn how to prepare monthly liturgies, lead retreats, plan service activities, and provide prayer experiences for the CJ community.