Campus Ministry is comprised of students that act as spiritual and religious leaders of the Alverno Community. We believe that “… the radical challenges of the Gospel and the social teachings of the Catholic Church call for lives of justice, compassion, and service.” In staying true to our roots that stem from the Franciscan Sisters and the Immaculate Heart Community, we aim to promote Christian values and guide others in living selflessly and towards improving the lives of others.
We aspire to assist in the development of the young women of Alverno into socially-conscious, spiritual, Godly individuals. We also aim to serve the religious needs of the community and to provide opportunities for personal and spiritual growth and development. These opportunities include liturgies, prayer services, and community service projects. Campus Ministry is an integral part of Campus Life at Alverno, and it is our hope that the values and teachings we help to instill in the young women of the community stay with them throughout their lives.
What is the Campus Ministry elective?
Campus Ministry is a year-long seventh period elective class that is designed to help students gain a greater appreciation for their Catholic faith, as well as to help the entire student body to have meaningful worship experiences. Students are responsible for planning and implementing school liturgies and prayer services, morning prayer and other faith-based experiences, such as reconciliation services, as well as coordinating community service projects. Students are trained in lectoring and proclaiming scripture through words and action. Students who have already been confirmed may be trained as Eucharistic ministers. Selected members will serve as retreat team members.
What is the Christian Service elective?
Formed in 2009, the Christian Service elective is a class which has a primary focus on community service, outreach, and Social Justice. Our goal is not only to help and support the students of Alverno fulfill their service requirements, but to serve as active members in the community of the greater San Gabriel Valley. At lease once a week, this class takes trips out in to the community to serve. We have relationships with several community organizations, including nursing homes, public libraries, the Sierra Madre women's club, Catholic Charities, and others. These trips are the backbone to a strong and dedicated service program.
Who Can Join?
Both Campus Ministry electives are open to all students in the 10th grade and up. You do not have to be Catholic to join; members of all faith denominations are welcome.
How Do I Join?
The admission process into Campus Ministry is not like many other seventh period elective classes. There is a formal application process which includes a written application and an interview by the senior members of Campus Ministry in May. Applicants must have at least a 2.0 GPA and must not have been subjected to any major disciplinary actions. We like our members to be upstanding young women in the Alverno Community!
What We Do
Campus Ministry is regularly involved in numerous projects and activities throughout the school year, including:
Daily Prayer
Lunchtime Communion services
Liturgies
Prayer Services
Class Retreats
Jr. High School Retreats
Stations of the Cross
Outreach with other schools
Community Service Projects
Corazón
Christian Service Club
The Alverno Mass Band
Caretakers of the school chapel
Chapel
One of the newest additions to our campus is the Alverno chapel. The indoor chapel is a small, intimate setting for prayer services, class meetings, and quiet reflection. Our new outdoor chapel takes advantage of our beautiful campus and plays host to class retreats, prayer and communion services and reflection time. Situated under a 100 foot tall pine tree, the outdoor chapel is the the perfect setting for students looking for some quiet time.
Stations-of-the-cross meditation walk
In 2008, with the help for a generous grant from the Doheney foundation and the dedication of members of the Immaculate Heart Community and Campus Ministry students, we were able to complete the final stage of our chapel renovation with the addition of a meditation walk. This beautiful walk, located along a row of 90 year old olive trees, gives our students the opportunity to walk and reflect on the passion of Jesus Christ. Handmade monuments depicting each of the stations line the path, with benches to sit and reflect. Located on the northernmost end of the campus, this area has become the "sacred space" of the school.
Stations-of-the-Cross
During Holy Week each year, our Campus Ministry class holds one of the most anticipated events of the year. A reinactment of the stations-of-the-cross leads our student body on a prayerful journey of the final hours of the life of Christ. In the shadows of the historic Villa del Sol de'Oro, our Campus Ministry students re-inact the stations,complete with costumes, props, music and meditations.
The Alverno Mass band and Liturgical dancers
The locally famous Alverno Mass band is a branch of Campus Ministry that serves to lead our students in prayer and worship through song. Open to all students, both vocalists and instrumentalists, the AMB is an energetic group that help us all praise through song. Our liturgical dancer group beautifully leads our school in worship through dance.
Liturgies
At the heart of our faith is the liturgy. At Alverno we celebrate mass together each month. Our liturgies are themed for many occasions including:
Freshman Orientation
Founder's Day
Thanksgiving
Advent/Christmas
Social Justice
Seniors
Holy Thursday
Mary's Day
Baccalaureate
Corazon
The biggest service project that Campus Ministry sponsors is called Corazón. For the past several years, Alverno has raised over $6500.00 per trip to fund the one-day excursion to Mexico. A crew that is comprised of Campus Ministry members, other students, faculty, and parents travels down to Mexico to build a home in a day for a deserving family. We arrive in Mexico at dawn on the day of the project, and leave the site nearly at nightfall. In the meantime, we completely build a new home. It is a day of hard work, but it is also a life-changing experience that you will never forget.
