Campus Ministry
Be a Servant Leader. Be a Knight.
At St. Francis de Sales School, Campus Ministry refers to a department, as well as a student organization. In general, the department is responsible for creating opportunities for spiritual expression, formation, and development.
The conveyance of the liturgical and seasonal life of the church and Salesian spirituality is also the job of the Campus Ministry department, as is the job of helping and encouraging students and faculty alike to work for a more just society. To this end, the Campus Ministry department plans and organizes a variety of liturgies, prayer services, and retreats, as well as service, social, and educational opportunities for those in the St. Francis de Sales community.
Besides the Campus Ministry Department, there also exists a student organization commonly referred to simply as “Core Team.” Members of Campus Ministry & Core Team help to plan and execute the many programs and events sponsored by the Campus Ministry department. The group is led in conjunction with the Director of Student Life.
Here are some of the many roles that are played by students involved in Campus Ministry:
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Mass servers
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Eucharistic ministers
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Liturgical planners
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Lectors
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Retreat leaders
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Thanksgiving basket coordinators and deliverers
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Prayer leaders
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Coordinators of Advent project
Salesian Theme - 2024/2025
Campus Ministry Department
Liturgy & Worship
- All-school Masses at Gesu Catholic Church (about 1 per month)
- Mass during class periods (about 1 per quarter)
- Team & Masses (regularly in-season)
- Reconciliation Services (Advent & Lent)
- Stations of the Cross (planned and presented by the 7th grade)
- Holy Thursday Foot Washing Service
- Adoration & Rosary Ministry days for teaching and praying (2-3 times per year)
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (weekly on Tuesdays in Homeroom)
- Rosary (weekly on Fridays after school)
Retreats & Class Days
- Senior Salesian Retreat: “We are made for Relationship - Self, Others, and God” - 2-night retreat at Camp DeSales (three offered per year)
- Junior Pillars Day - 1-day reflective experience that includes prayer, worship, table-group sharing, reflection on the Salesian Theme and Pillars and other activities
- Sophomore Pillars Day: “The Bread Day” - 1-day experience that includes prayer, worship, meeting the Visitation Sisters, baking bread, and reflections from staff; some bread is shared by retreatants and the remaining loaves are donated to the Cherry Street Mission
- Freshman Pillars Days - Two 1-day experiences (fall and spring) that include learning about the Pillars, group activities, tour of the Cathedral, reflection on the year and “Live Jesus”
- 7/8th Grade Reflection Days - determined by need of the classes in conjunction with Religion teachers
- Genesis 2:2 Art Retreat - 1-day opt-in experience including individual reflection and sharing focused on Christian art at the Cathedral and Toledo Museum of Art
Other Opportunities
- Jamaica Mission - week-long service opportunity coordinated by Fr. Rose, offered annually
- Salesian Leadership Camp (SLC) - week-long experience at Camp DeSales for our Student Leaders to deepen their leadership skills
- Catholic Youth Camp (CYC) - 6-day co-ed, residential, recreational, faith-building retreat for parish and school youth groups at Camp DeSales
Spiritual Pillar
St. Francis de Sales School is firmly rooted in the Catholic faith and the Christian humanist teachings of our patron saint. The depth of Salesian spirituality permeates our culture and method of teaching. Students encounter God through Mass, retreats, daily prayer, our Salesian Leadership Initiative, and our Campus Ministry department. "Be who you are and be that well," is more than a motto, it's our way of life
Direction of Intention
My God, I give You this day. I offer You now all the good that I shall do and I promise to accept, for love of You, all of the difficulty that I shall meet. Help me to conduct myself during this day, in a manner pleasing to You.
