STUDENT REFLECTIONS ABOUT HOW BEING IN ST. JOAN OF ARC SCHOOL
HELPS THEM COME CLOSER TO GOD
- One of the lessons in Middle School Religion Class is
that God made us in God’s own image.
Students hear IMAGO DEI repeatedly so that they learn to treat others with dignity,
recognizing the presence of God in their classmates, families, and people who come into their lives.
Middle School students were asked to reflect on some images of God,
who makes God real for them, and to comment on their relationship with God.
These are just a few of those responses that students were willing to share. - Since Pre-K through fifth grade I attended public school. At this school I learned all the subjects except one- religion. Even though my family and I go to mass every Saturday night or Sunday morning, it wasn’t until fourth grade that my parents sent me to Religious Education classes at St. Joan of Arc Church in order to get ready for my First Communion. I went to classes every Sunday for two years. There I learned many prayers and I got to know more about God. In May 2010 I received my First Communion. Msgr. Garcia celebrated the mass on that special day. In September 2010 I entered St. Joan of Arc Catholic School where religion is one of the most important subjects because we learn about God and about Jesus’ life and teachings every day. I am very happy today not only because I have made new friends and I have great teachers, but also because I feel really close to God now more than ever.
SIXTH GRADE STUDENT - Who is God for me? I am reminded of God in all of humanity. Considering we are all made in God’s image, we all remind each other that God is present everywhere and in our every day life. God, as well as being our creator, is our consultant, friend, and father. God reveals himself in many different ways in my life. He could be your teacher, your neighbor. He could be the person who you very much dislike and would never except to give you a helping hand. The two people who have helped God become real for me are my grandmother and my mom. Since I was little they always took me to mass. They were the ones who helped me develop a relationship with God and thank them for that. Peaceful times in church remind me of God’s presence too.
EIGHTH GRADE STUDENT Class of 2011 attending The Mary Louis Academy - For me God is my coach in life. He guides me to the path I must go in order to reach my goals. I see God as a spirit of peace and love that cares for those who are in need. I always think about God during mass, religious events, and when I have problems in my life. The people who help me see God are my family and teachers. They always tell me to thank God. God reveals himself to me by the teachings I learn in school and at mass. Ever since I was young, and as I grow older, my relationship with God will continue to deepen. I feel more closer to God because I am going to St. Joan of Arc Catholic School. Because I am a student here, I feel that I have a strong relationship with God. I hope I can go to McClancy High School and continue my Catholic education.
EIGHTH GRADE STUDENT Class of 2011 attend Msgr. McClancy High School. - My parents remind me about God because they love and care for me just like God. The people in my life who help God become real for me are my teachers and my family. The place that I find God is St. Joan of Arc Church and in the Ati Ati Ahan Festival where Filipinos celebrate. God reveals himself to me through prayer, the mass, and in my house. My image of God and my relationship with God has changed since I was young because I learned more about him through the bible stories I hear in school and at mass. My relationship with God has also deepened because my family helps me learn more about God.
SIXTH GRADE STUDENT - God is our creator and Savior. I believe that God is the rock and foundation of the Catholic Church. God is the person in whom I can depend on. God is there for me when I need Him. He is tender, loving, and watches over me. God accepts me for who I am but challenges me to become something even better. I find God in my family and the people I go to school with. St. Joan of Arc School is a place where I have found God and as I get ready to leave, I am sad. The teachers in my school set God’s example for me. They have taught me about faith. They have touched me with bible stories. One teacher always helps us to apply those stories to our every day lives. My teachers also made me realize I have a moral responsibility to help others. My dedicated teachers, who have to put up with me, help me better understand Jesus’ teaching. In my eyes, I see God as my role model and He is extremely important to me.
EIGHTH GRADE STUDENT Class of 2011 attending St. Mary’s High School - God is everything to me. God is the savior of my life. My grandmother teaches me about God and here I have learned to love God with my heart and soul. I think by making my relationship with God grow stronger, I go to mass more, even when my family doesn’t go. I meet my friends at church and then we go to Jahn’s for breakfast. I like that. I can talk to my friends about God and we talk about what the priest says at the mass we just went to. When I pray at home and in school I can feel God’s presence. Since fifth grade, I have known God more and more each day. I know that what I learn here at St. Joan of Arc will help me in high school- I just need to get accepted into a high school next year. That, I think, will come from lots of praying!
SEVENTH GRADE STUDENT - God is like an overseer who watches over me. God cares for me no matter how good or bad I am. He loves me just the same. Every time I think about God I can feel Him watching what I do. My parents and Mr. Fruner help God become real for me. My school, SJA, St. Joan of Arc Church, and my home remind me about God’s presence. I find God in church because I feel His presence when I enter. My image of God was not clear when I was younger but now I see God everywhere. I think that is cool!
SEVENTH GRADE STUDENT - God is everything to me. My grandma teaches me about God. My relationship with God grows stronger when we go to mass in school and when I go to mass with grandma. God is always inside us, talking to us, helping us to know right from wrong. I see God in my teachers and in my classmates. When I pray I feel God right near me. Since fifth grade I have known God but now I know more things about God. I am growing closer to God because of what I learn in religion class and what I hear about God in SJA. I pray more and ask God to help me be good and stay out of trouble.
SIXTH GRADE STUDENT
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT ST. JOAN OF ARC