ICA GRADUATES ARE WOMEN OF FAITH!
Students have a special way to grow in faith through Campus Ministry programs. The student Campus Ministry team works together with the school Campus Minister to provide opportunities for retreat, prayer, and service
Retreats
Each ICA grade level experiences a unique retreat opportunity based around the following themes:
Freshmen — 1 day retreat at the MSJ motherhouse in Fremont. This retreat is focused on new students to the school becoming part of the Dominican family. It focuses on our shared call to the four pillars of Dominican life: faith, community, study, preaching.
Sophomores — 2 day overnight retreat/workshop at the Girl Scout camp in Pescadero. This retreat is focused on helping students identify and learn to value their gifts. Students are invited to see themselves as God’s treasure and to treasure themselves.
Juniors — 2 day overnight retreat at Presentation Center in Los Gatos. This retreat is focused on helping students recognize ways they hide their real selves by wearing “masks.” Students are invited to recognize and value their most authentic self as God’s beautiful creation.
Seniors — 3 day 2 night retreat at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Los Altos. This retreat, based loosely on the KAIROS model, leads students through three days focused on recognizing and strengthening relationships with God, self, and others.
Prayer
Our Catholic identity is experienced and expressed in our school liturgies. We celebrate all holy days of obligation, as well as many important school occasions with Mass. The solemn seasons of Advent and Lent are opportunities for Reconciliation (scheduled through religion class). And, as all seasons are important opportunities for prayer, we have several non-Eucharistic prayer services as a school community.
Each school day begins with prayer led by members of the Campus
Ministry team. These prayers, selected by the team, are a daily opportunity for the entire school community to gather for a moment in prayer.
Service
Women of Faith, ICA students are expected to grow in their understanding of the dignity of all creation as well as understanding their responsibility to act for social justice and global awareness.
A Service Learning model has been incorporated into the classroom for all ICA students. Students will prepare for service through classroom lessons. After performing the service, they reflect on their experience and discuss it in the context of Catholic Social Teaching. Finally, they share their experience and information in some formal way though writing, presentations, or displays. Service Learning takes place in the following subject areas and are teacher directed.
Campus Ministry Team
The Campus Ministry Team includes juniors and seniors of ICA. Students apply during their sophomore year and commit to 2 years on the team. As part of their training, all Campus Ministers attend a L.I.F.E. Retreat (Living In Faith Experience) with other students from Mission San Jose Dominican High Schools. This week-long retreat is an opportunity to grow in faith and learn valuable leadership skills. The team meets weekly and plans all liturgies and retreats. The team is also called upon to lead school prayer every morning and at important events.
