Ministry
Alter High School is committed to each student’s spiritual development and formation in faith. To this end, students are required to participate in a number of programs and activities designed to help them grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.
But beyond incorporating our faith into our daily lives, we also let our faith shape who we are and what we do. Our faith encourages us to be a welcoming community and it challenges us to work for justice. It ignites our passion for service and reminds us to practice compassion. It calls us to prayer and a deeper relationship with Christ, and it inspires us to be leaders who can share our faith with the larger community and the world.
We are a community that welcomes all people. Students at Alter come from many different places, backgrounds and faith traditions. During their time here, they are formed as members of one community that deeply values the diversity of each of its members. Our community spirit is fostered by our retreat program. Students make a retreat each of their four years at Alter and are given time to get to know their classmates in a different way and to build strong bonds of friendship and support while, at the same time, coming to a new understanding and appreciation of their faith.
Prayer
Prayer is a constant in the lives of Alter students. Each day begins and ends with schoolwide prayer. Each individual class begins with prayer that is more often than not led by the students in the class, thus giving them the opportunity to develop as a spiritual leader. Teams and clubs pray regularly before and after games and meetings. Students come together on Wednesday mornings to share their faith and witness to God working in their life. The entire Alter community comes together to celebrate the Eucharist at least once every month. These celebrations mark important events in our Church as well as important events in our school community. In addition, Alter provides opportunities to participate in Eucharistic Adoration and Reconciliation. Our annual retreat program provides students with new ways to engage in prayer and sacraments in a new setting and allows them to make new discoveries about their faith.
Praying for a safe trip to Europe next summer, to reconnect with family.
Praying for a safe and successful start to all the students and staff at the beginning of a new school year.
I would like to keep my Mother in your prayers as she recovers from a recent fall
Praying for the families in Uvalde, Texas may God give them strength as they put their lives together.
Please prayer for the victims of the July 4th shooting in Highland park, Illinois especially the children left alone to rebuild their lives.
Prayer Request Form
Mass and Sacraments
Mass is offered on the first Friday of the month before school in the Chapel. All students, parents, faculty and staff are welcome to attend. There are all-school Masses about once a month. Unless otherwise noted, these Masses are at 10:10 a.m. at St. Charles Church. Parents are always welcome to join us for these
All students participate in a school-wide reconciliation service during Advent and Lent. The Director of Campus Ministry is always available by appointment to assist students with any pastoral needs.
Retreats
Alter requires that all students attend a retreat each year they are at Alter. A retreat is a time away from the everyday schedule in order to allow students time to reflect on their relationships with God, with others and themselves. Freshmen and Sophomores each attend a one-day retreat with their class. Juniors attend an overnight retreat off-campus. The same retreat is offered four different times throughout the year so that students may choose the time that works best for them.
Students register for Junior Retreats in May of their Sophomore Year. Seniors are offered two retreat options. Alter offers the peer-led Kairos Retreat, a four-day experience of Christian Community which includes prayer, witness talks, reflection, discussion and Reconciliation and Eucharist. This retreat is cited by many students as one of the highlights of their time at Alter. It is offered four times during the year. Students register for their Kairos Retreat in May of their Junior Year. Students choosing not to participate in the Kairos retreat may attend a retreat on their own with their parish or church. These retreats must be approved by the Director of Campus Ministry prior to the student’s attendance.
Community Service
As Christians, we are called to bring Christ’s healing and loving presence to the world around us. For this reason, Alter requires all students to complete various community service projects each year. There is no set number of hours required for all students, however, clubs such as Key Club, National Honor Society and others do require a certain number of hours for membership. Each academic department at Alter has incorporated at least one service learning project in to the curriculum. So each year, students can expect to complete 2-3 projects as part of their regular course work. Total numbers of hours required for these projects will vary but can be expected to be about 5-10 hours per project. In addition to this required service, there are number of clubs students may join to offer even more service to the community.
