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Campus Ministry

As they were walking along the road to Emmaus, two men were joined by a stranger. They walked, talked, and then parted ways. Upon reflection, the men said, "Did not our hearts burn within us?" (Luke 24:32). In that moment, they realized the stranger was Jesus--in their midst! 

Everyday, Jesus is with us, in some way or another. The Campus Ministry department at Marianapolis strives to help students pause and notice the moments when their hearts, too, burn within them. Through liturgy, retreats, service, and pastoral care, Campus Ministry seeks to meet all Marianapolis students where they find themselves along their spiritual journey. Through intentional work rooted in the Catholic tradition, students are exposed to faith in action and are called to become contributing young citizens of our ever-changing world! 

Triduum and Divine Mercy Novena Recordings

Service

At Marianapolis, service is an integral tradition of our learning experience. Students find opportunities to impact their local and global communities annually.

Among others, service traditions include: 

  • Relay for Life

  • Homelessness Awareness Night

  • Turkey Dip for Muscular Dystrophy

  • Holiday Food Drive

  • Red Cross Blood Drive

  • Disaster Relief Outreach 

The school fosters an appreciation for service through Residential Service Sunday and Rake Day, traditions that help students give back to the MPrep community. 

The Disaster Relief Club raises funds through various bake sales and events on campus to support those affected by natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and earthquakes. On the weekends, students have the opportunity to volunteer in the local community at the Matulaitis Nursing Home as well as the Paws Cat Shelter. Other service opportunities sponsored by Marianapolis student groups include the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, and the Turkey Dip to raise funds for Camp Quinebaug. Within academic programs, service opportunities are also found such as Mission: New Orleans and Mission: Appalachia, both LEAP Week offerings. Students are encouraged to get involved at any level in the numerous service opportunities available.

Retreat participants surrounding the alter and Father Tim Roth

Liturgy

Salvete: Liturgical Service

Salvete is a student led group that is responsible for staffing all full-school masses throughout the year. Students are trained as Lectors, Altar Servers, Greeters, and Eucharistic Ministers twice a year - in September and January. Salvete is open to students of all grades and of wide-ranging liturgical backgrounds. 

Pastoral Care

During lunch, the Ministry Space is open for students to connect with peers, Campus Ministers, and God. 

Our campus Chaplain, Father Tim Roth, is available by request to hear confessions.  Additionally, the Campus Ministers can meet with students for direction and guidance.  

Retreats

Knight Vision Retreat: The 9th Grade Experience

During orientation, each 9th grade student participates in the Knight Vision Retreat. After a prayer service with their families, the freshmen travel off campus for a day long experience. The goal of the Knight Vision Retreat is to establish the importance of faith in the Marianapolis experience. 

igKNIGHT Retreat: Open to All

Our igKNIGHT retreat offers students the option to devote a whole day, an overnight, or an entire weekend to their faith journey. Led by the Spiritus Leaders, these retreats promote an atmosphere of trust and healthy vulnerability in which students are encouraged to share their life stories and questions of faith. While the theme and structure of each igKnight varies with many fun activities woven in, the main thread is student and staff talks followed by small group discussions centered around the ideas of Gratitude, Obstacles, and Finding God. These retreats - offered at various times throughout the year - are open to all students and fulfill the junior, senior, and PG faith experience requirement. 

Quest: Open to All

Twice a month students have the opportunity to attend a "mini retreat" called Quest. Like the name suggests, these retreats are about searching for truth and the deeper meaning of life. Guided by the light of faith and personal experience we are on a Quest for Wisdom. Our Quest begins with peer reflections and ends with meaningful conversations in the form of small group discussions facilitated by Spiritus Leaders. These "mini retreats" also fulfill the junior, senior, and PG faith experience requirement.

Kairos

"Kairos" is the Greek word for "the right time" and has become synonymous with the nationally recognized "Kairos" Retreat run in many Catholic schools across the country. It is set up as a series of student-led talks, small group discussions, prayer, reflection, and group affirmations at the end of the retreat. A penance service is offered on the final evening. It is an incredibly powerful experience and also fulfills the junior, senior, and PG faith experience requirement. 

Spiritus: Student Leadership

Spiritus is a student-led group that assists with all class retreats and other Campus Ministry related initiatives throughout the year. Spiritus leaders are selected as part of the student leadership application process in the late winter/early spring.