Faith and spirituality are at the core of everything we do at OLA. We are proud of our many and varied opportunities for the students, staff, and parents to improve their faith and spirituality through prayer and sacraments throughout the school year. In response to the call for community service and outreach and in embracing our Catholic faith, OLA students, staff, and parents are called to action. Teachers and parents serve regularly as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist and participate in the music ministry. Students participate in sacramental preparations and celebrations. Liturgical celebrations are led each week by students in different grades where the students are given the opportunity to serve as lectors, cantors, altar servers, gift bearers, and ushers.
The Religion curriculum standards established by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are met by student workbooks published by Our Sunday Visitor. The grade level workbooks have been successful in promoting Catholic doctrine and practices. The publisher offers a website accessible to teachers and students for enrichment, chapter reviews, and lesson planning. The Religion curriculum also includes units on family life (RCL Benziger “Family Life") and child abuse prevention and awareness (Virtus “Empowering God's Children") /lacatholics.org/empowering-gods-children/
Students participate in semi-annual Prayer and Reconciliation services during Advent and Lent. Stations of the Cross are presented by students in Grades 4 - 8 every Friday of Lent. A school-wide Living Rosary is presented in the month of October as well as the May Crowning and Rosary to honor the Blessed Mother. The students in Grades 3–8 participate as altar servers in school Masses and parish funerals.
In response to national and international crises, the School community responds with Mass, prayer, and monetary donations such as collections for victims of global and national and local natural disasters, Catholic Relief Services, and the Missionary Childhood Association during both the Advent and Lenten Seasons. The funds reach global communities such as Haiti, Ecuador, Tanzania, Nigeria, Nepal, Senegal, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Eighth grade students attend the annual Missionary Childhood Association Mass at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral each year and serve as lectors and altar servers, participate in the multi-cultural entrance procession, as well as in the choir.
OLA's outreach through various service projects is evident throughout the year, including the OLA Fiesta (one of the four largest Claremont City events), as well as events and activities such as Pennies for Priests, and Shoes that Fit, reaching out to the elderly residents at Claremont Manor, raising funds and collecting toiletry items by student members of the California Junior Scholastic Federation (CJSF) in support of Damien High School's Tijuana Mission project, and supporting any Parish food drive efforts.
Parents are involved in sacramental preparation, have weekly opportunities to attend school Masses, chair and participate in the OLA Fiesta, deliver donations of books, food, and/or Christmas baskets. Parents are encouraged to attend the annual Missionary Childhood Association Mass at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral each year and serve as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist and ushers.
More information is available in this link: ADLA RELIGION CURRICULUM
