SBCS 5th graders go on retreat

Students praying and reflecting

On November 14 & 15, fifth grade students at Santa Barbara Catholic School participated in their annual retreat. Every year, SBCS conducts retreats for its students from grades four to eight.

This year, the fifth graders reflected on the theme “Human Dignity” which focuses on the teaching that we are all created very good in the the image and likeness of God. Some of the activities included “Back Compliments” and “Beautiful Human Dolls, Inside and Out” where they created their own superheroes (ideal human beings) with superpowers and super inner qualities and values. The realization was that God’s breath of life, our soul, is our own “superpower” that makes us all beautiful and equal but unique beings capable of being and doing good.

The retreat was facilitated by Assistant Principal for Faith Formation Miss Bernadette Alcantara and Religion Teacher Ms. Joyce Guevara.

Students giving another student “Back Compliments”
Ms. Guevara (standing) explains the activity to the students
Students Reflect and Pray during the 5th Grade retreat

8th Grade Retreat – Stewardship

Santa Barbara’s 8th Graders Attend Mercy Retreat
 
As part of the Faith Formation program of Santa Barbara Catholic School, the SBCS 8th graders attended  a retreat facilitated by Religion teacher, Mr. Delson Balance last October 25 and 26, 2016. The retreat was held at the Santa Barbara Parish Hall. Focusing on the Mercy Core Value of STEWARDSHIP, the retreat had a three-fold objective: 1.) To let students develop a habit of reflection and prayer. 2) To help student gain valuable insights from Pope Francis’ encyclical, “Laudato Si” and from the life of Venerable Catherine McAuley. 3.) To foster a positive and healthy class spirit and unity that would enable students to get to know and understand themselves, their peers, God’s creation and hopefully, God, better.