Faith & Service

Rooted in faith. Called to serve. Inspired to lead.

St. Vincent-St. Mary High School students in prayer.

Our Faith Community Class Retreats Marianist LIFE Christian Service Additional Faith Formation Opportunities

Our Faith Community

A Faith Community That Feels Like Family

At St. Vincent-St. Mary, faith is part of the rhythm of everyday life. Rooted in more than 125 years of Catholic tradition and our Marianist charism, we create an environment where students are invited to know God, discover who they are, and recognize the gifts they have to share with others.

Faith You Can Experience: From prayer and liturgy to retreats, service, and opportunities for reflection, students encounter faith in ways that connect to their everyday lives.
A Community That Knows You: We believe students thrive when they are known and valued. Our family spirit creates meaningful relationships among students, teachers, coaches, staff, and families.
A Faith That Moves Beyond the Classroom: Students are encouraged to put their faith into action—serving others, standing up for what is right, building community, and responding to the needs of the world around them.
Room to Discover Your Purpose: STVM gives students space to ask big questions, explore their interests, develop their gifts, and discover how their talents can be used to make a difference.
Tradition That Looks Forward: Our Catholic and Marianist heritage gives us deep roots, but it does not keep us looking backward. We honor our legacy while preparing students to meet a changing world with faith, courage, creativity, and compassion.

At STVM, faith is not simply something students learn about. It is something they experience, question, practice, and carry with them.

STVM Campus Ministry
The mission of Campus Ministry is to teach, share, support and live the mission of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School and the Marianist Characteristics of Education with an emphasis on invitation and hospitality. Our vision is for students to encounter Christ in every day, every person, and every interaction.

Hear From Eddie McNea
undefined

St. Vincent-St. Mary High School students in pink t-shirts standing by states of St. Mary.

Class Retreats

At St. Vincent-St. Mary, retreats are an essential part of each student’s spiritual journey. Each year, students participate in grade-level, one-day retreats that invite them into a deeper relationship with Christ, discovering and exploring the Marianist Charisms and how to live out the STVM mission of learning, leading, and serving. Retreat day experiences provide students dedicated time for personal reflection, hands-on service in the greater Akron area, and opportunities to hear inspirational guest speakers and interact with the greater Church community as well as communal worship.

Kairos

Kairos (Greek for “the Lord’s time”) is a four-day, three-night Catholic retreat rooted in the Cursillo movement. STVM offers three Kairos retreats each year: one in the fall for seniors only, and two in the winter/spring for juniors and senior students. Led mainly by peers and supported by Campus Ministry staff, Kairos gives students the opportunity to reflect deeply on God’s role in their lives. Many students describe it as the highlight of their four years at STVM.

Marianist LIFE
(Living in Faith Experience)

Marianist LIFE is a national faith-formation program rooted in Catholic and Marianist tradition, designed for high school students in grades 9–12. Based on Fr. William Joseph Chaminade’s vision of building “communities of communities” to transform the world, LIFE gives students a chance to grow in their relationship with God and with one another through engaging discussions, fellowship, and fun. At STVM, our Marianist LIFE group gathers monthly for meetings where student leaders guide exploration of a variety of relevant topics, while participants share a meal, faith and friendship. LIFE evenings are typically held on the third Wednesday of the month from 6–8 p.m. in the Learning Resource Center (LRC) and MakerSpace, offering students a warm, welcoming space to learn, reflect, and become instruments of peace.

St. Vincent-St. Mary High School students collaborating at a circle table

Christian Service

St. Vincent-St. Mary High School students dropping off cans to a food pantry.

As part of STVM's commitment to the Marianist call to educate for service, justice and peace, all students complete 100 Christian Service hours prior to graduation, earning academic credit for their efforts.

All service hours are logged and verified through the MobileServe app, allowing students to track their progress at any time. Hours are due by May 1 each year, with seniors generally submitting one month earlier. More details, including expectations for each grade level and reporting guidelines, can be found in the Student Handbook.

St. Vincent-St. Mary High School students taking part in the Eucharist during a Mass.

Additional Faith Formation Opportunities

Numerous opportunities are available for students to deepen their connection to God and nourish their spirituality throughout the school day and academic year, such as:

Regular Masses and prayer services
Peer-led Scripture study, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, Rosary, and small faith-sharing groups
Daily recitation of the Marianist's Three O'Clock Prayer
Weekly "Five Minute" reflection and prayer, held each Wednesday in the school's Learning Resource Center (LRC) immediately after dismissal
Student liturgical choir and musicians as well as lectors and altar servers
Training and installation for seniors as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Opportunities to attend Akron's "First Friday" speaker series
Weekly morning mass and breakfast before school
A variety of summer engagement prayer and fellowship opportunities, such as online guided prayer, weekly "Hallowed Grounds" meetings at local coffee shops, and a summer Kairos alumni gathering