Jesus Christ is Lord!!
“Be it known to all who enter here, that Christ is the reason for this school. He is the unseen, but ever present teacher in its classes. He is the model of its faculty and the inspiration of its students.”
This sign can be found throughout Nativity School, reminding us why we are here. In how we treat each other and as we strive to expand our knowledge and develop skills, we are called to live as sisters and brothers of Christ. We help each other grow in knowledge, wisdom, faith, and love in imitation of Jesus Christ. Nativity School strives to guide children to become active, caring members of society who are motivated by their relationship with Christ.
Weekly School Masses
Nativity School Mass is usually on Tuesday morning at 8:15am.
Students also attend Masses on Holy Days of Obligation.
Students learn to openly express their faith and to build leadership skills by planning class liturgies and serving as altar servers, readers, gift bearers, and singing in our choir.
Parents are invited and encouraged to attend Mass.
As part of our Buddy Program, 5th-grade students sit with their Kindergarten Buddies, and 4th-grade students sit with their 1st-grade buddies during Mass.
Service to Others
Whether as part of a classroom project or as an individual mission, our students make service a part of their school and home life. Our students have conducted projects to assist organizations such as Utopia Wildlife Center, Bartholomew County Humane Society, Love Chapel, Turning Point, and many others. Several student clubs also work on service projects that involve the entire school. At St. Bartholomew Catholic School, we make service a part of our everyday school life.
Middle School students are also required to complete 6-8 hours of community service per school year as part of their Religion grade.
Sacraments
Sacrament of Reconciliation
In addition to the regular parish time for confession on Saturday from 3:00-4:00pm, there are generally two communal penance services during the year. Students are encouraged to attend the penance service in Advent for First Reconciliation in preparation for First Holy Communion.
First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion
In the second grade, children prepare for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. For the time leading up to these sacraments, preparation for them is the focus of religion classes. The entire family will also share in the excitement of this special time in their children’s lives through many at-home family projects.
Non-Catholic students participate in sacramental preparation along with their classmates. Although they do not take part in the sacrament itself, they have also made a special journey with their families and friends and are encouraged to attend First Reconciliation and First Communion services to share in the community celebration.
Confirmation
Preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation happens in the seventh grade religion class.