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The Assistant Chaplain program forms the heart of student ministry at Saint Dominic Academy.  For the 2020-2021 academic year, 23 Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors serve as Assistant Chaplains.

What is an Assistant Chaplain?

Assistant Chaplains are Christian 2nd semester Freshmen-Seniors who, through their leadership and example and in close collaboration with the Chaplain, work to strengthen and maintain a strong Catholic life at Saint Dominic Academy.  Assistant Chaplains are led by a team of three lead chaplains who focus on liturgy and spirituality, pastoral ministry, and community service.  In addition to ministry in these areas, Assistant Chaplains strive to build up and nurture the Catholic life and mission of Saint Dominic Academy through their words and actions both on and off campus.

 

What do Assistant Chaplains do?

Assistant Chaplains work with the Chaplain and Teacher Moderators in the following ways:

  • Attend professional development days, weekly meetings, retreats, and other scheduled Assistant Chaplain faith and skills enrichment activities throughout the year.
  • Witness to Christian charity and generosity within the school, reaching out in particular to middle school students and any struggling students through personal interaction and various group initiatives.
  • Collaborate with Chaplain, teachers, staff and volunteers to plan and carry out student retreats throughout the year.
  • Serve as student sacristans who are responsible for the care and maintenance of the chapel, sacred vessels and linens, prep and take down at school liturgies.
  • Schedule, prepare, and lead Morning Prayer and other prayer/liturgy occasions at the school.
  • Recruit, schedule, and train student liturgical ministers: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Readers, and Altar Servers.
  • Plan and organize Catholic Schools Week, various field days, and other Campus Ministry social activities and events throughout the year.
  • Work with Middle School staff and teachers to carry out middle school Campus Ministry events and activities.
  • Facilitate connections with local Catholic charitable organizations, planning and carrying out various opportunities for students to volunteer in the local community.
      

 

Who can be an Assistant Chaplain? 

Catholic second-semester Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who make every effort to attend Mass or Christian Services on Sunday, strive to live according to their faith, and maintain better than a C average in all their classes.

 

What is the commitment involved?

Assistant Chaplains make a one-year commitment that begins in April and continues through to the end of the following academic year.  While serving as Assistant Chaplains, the following commitment is expected, barring exceptional circumstances:

  • Attendance at three scheduled, day-long professional development/retreat days during the summer.
  • Leadership of Morning Prayer during the morning student assembly on a rotating basis as assigned.
  • Planning, preparation, and assistance during at least one student retreat over the course of the year. 
  • Attendance at weekly meetings with the Chaplain (currently during lunch on Wednesdays), occasional after-school and weekend meetings as required for projects throughout the year. 
  • Every effort is made to provide a flexibility that will allow Assistant Chaplains to devote adequate time to athletics, academics, family and friends.

How do students apply?

During Lent, current Freshmen-Juniors approach their religion teacher or the Chaplain for an application.  Completed applications must be submitted to the Chaplain for review before an interview is scheduled.

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