Faith Life

The religion program at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School, with our mission to instill a firm foundation in our Catholic faith built on the four pillars of a Catholic education (faith, academics, discipline and leadership), combines daily formal instruction with an active prayer life to get the best results. Relevant service opportunities bind the community together as it reminds us to see the importance of helping others. At OLPH Catholic School, we prepare the next generation of Catholics to know, love and serve the Lord in an ever-changing world.

First Reconciliation and First Communion

Parents are an integral part of our students’ faith-formation process; they are active participants in the sacramental program of Reconciliation and Eucharist at the school. Parents participate in a retreat, led by the pastor, and attend meetings to assist their children in preparing for the sacraments.

The sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist continue the child’s faith journey through the forgiveness of sins, restoration of grace and communion with Jesus Christ. Students in the second grade take part in their First Reconciliation in the month of February and First Communion in May.

Reconciliation

All students at OLPH Catholic School continue their growth in the sacraments throughout their years here. Students in grades third through eighth take part in Reconciliation twice a year, during Advent and Lent. Students go to Mass weekly and once a month as a student body, and they have the opportunity to receive the Eucharist at these times.

Confirmation

The sacrament of Confirmation is a celebration of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, who is already very present in our lives. Confirmation provides the opportunity to affirm the faith we received at our Baptism.

Preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation is a two-year process for all Catholics who have received the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. Ordinarily, this process begins in ninth grade and culminates at the end of 10th grade. If you are interested in continuing your faith journey by making your Confirmation, please reach out to one of our three parishes.

OLPH – Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church – Newhall, CA (olphscv.org)
Confirmation Office: (661) 288-1073
Confirmation Coordinator Jenny O’Neil: jennyo@olphscv.org
St. Kateri – Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Church – Santa Clarita, CA (saintkateriparish.org)
Catherine Cardenas: (661) 254-2347
St. Clare – St. Clare Religious Education (stclarere.com)
Confirmation Office: (661) 298-8627
Email: youthministrystclare@gmail.com

Altar Serving

Students can be trained to be altar servers beginning in fourth Grade. They can serve at our monthly All-School Mass, at Sunday Masses and at other religious rites. If you are interested in being an altar server, please contact olphaltarserver@gmail.com.

First Friday Mass

On the first Friday of every month, OLPH has an All-School Mass where the entire student body, many parents and parishioners attend. Students in grades fourth through eighth are given the opportunity to read, volunteer as altar servers, sing in the choir and take up the gifts at Mass.

Stations of the Cross

Students and staff at OLPH Catholic School participate in the devotional practice of the Stations of the Cross once a week as part of the Lenten season. All grades are able to take an active role and participate in this sacred tradition through readings, singing, meditation and prayer. We feel honored to be able to share the Stations of the Cross with our school and OLPH Church community. What a wonderful way to prepare for the resurrection of our Lord on Easter!

Rosary

The months of May and October are dedicated to the Holy Rosary. When we pray the Rosary, we are praying to God through Mary. During the month of October, we pray one decade of the Rosary at every morning assembly. A different class from eighth grade down to first grade will lead us. During May, we pray the entire Rosary once a week led by a different class from eighth grade down to fourth grade.

May Crowning

May Crowning is a traditional Roman Catholic ritual held during the month of May. It is a solemn and beautiful procession, at the end of which a statue of the Blessed Virgin is crowned with a garland or crown of flowers honoring Mary as “the Queen of May.” The devotion also includes all the schoolchildren placing flowers in front of Mary. Our eighth-grade students create a crown, and one student is chosen to have the honor of adorning the Blessed Mother statue in the church.

At OLPH Catholic School, we also recognize and honor St. Joseph the Worker during the May Crowning as a role model for our students. One student is chosen to place a stole on Joseph during our May Crowning ceremony.

Christian Service

The goal of Christian Service at OLPH is that students grow in their relationship with Christ through direct service to the poor and vulnerable, grow in empathy for those different from themselves, and gain an understanding of the Catholic Church’s commitment to helping others.

We are called to be Ambassadors for Christ.