Help Wanted for Masses

We are looking for students who would like to help occasionally with our Masses and Prayer Services. They don’t need to be Catholic, but they do need to be respectful of what we are doing as we gather for Mass or Prayer. For the Masses we need students to help; greet and hold holy water; serve at the altar, read and write the prayers of the Faithful, read scripture, Communion Minister (this is the only role that requires a student be a Confirmed Catholic), Sacristan (help with all the special things needed for the Mass), carry in symbols and gifts, and help set up and take down.  

There will be a Training and Informational Meeting on Monday, October 12 during Study Block. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come and check it out.  No experience necessary -- we will be training and mentoring students into the roles.  Now is the time to step forward and join us. In addition to the training and informational meeting, we also have a “Liturgy Sign Up” binder in front of the CMS office for students to sign up to help with the Masses and prayer services each semester.

Help Wanted for Morning Prayer

We are looking for students to lead our daily morning prayer over the intercom each morning.  We will train students, who can create original prayers or choose from a selection of prayers that have been created by students all over the country.  We ask students to sign up for a one week period of time and will have two students per week so that they can help each other out. More details and training will follow during the Training and Informational Meeting on Monday, October 12 during Study Block. We also have a “Morning Prayer Sign Up” binder in front of the CMS office for students to sign up for a particular week or two each semester.

Retreat Opportunity

Encounter Registration is now open for either the November 19-21 or February 18-20 Encounters. These retreat opportunities are open to Juniors and any Seniors that were not able to attend last year. Now is the time to register for either one. The deadline is Thursday, October 15 by 3:15 PM.  Registration forms are available from religion teachers, Sr. Linda, the CMS office, and from the wall racks next to the CMS bulletin board. These retreats begin at SMA on Thursday morning and end back at SMA at 1 PM on Saturday.  We will be at the YMCA Camp Collins just outside of Gresham. The cost is $80.   Don’t let the cost keep you from going; there is some financial assistance available through Sr. Linda's office.  We also welcome donations to help other students attend. The $80 fee pays only a portion of the cost of food, lodging, meeting space, buses and various supplies. SMA feels very strongly about the call to nourish the spirituality of our students and subsidizes the remainder of the costs.  

 
Upcoming Masses and Prayer Opportunities

While we typically have eight All School Masses or Prayer Experiences each year, we also have many smaller optional Masses that take place during Study Block. Students have the option of staying in study hall to study or they can join us for any of the Masses that are usually held in the Chapel or the Performing Arts Center. Students and faculty do not have to be Catholic to come and pray with us. Upcoming prayer opportunities: 

Thursday, October 15 -- Study Block Mass

Sunday, October 18th -- 150th Anniversary Mass, 10:30AM at University of Portland’s Chiles Center

Thursday, October 29 -- Study Block Mass

Thursday November 12 -- Study Block Mass

Tuesday, November 24 – an All School Special Thanksgiving Prayer Service.

Check the calendar on the webpage for future dates.