Throughout the course of the school year, the Presentation community comes together to celebrate our faith. Many of these traditions date back to the founding of the school, while others have been added in the years since. These events are at the heart of our spiritual life on campus. Members of our Presentation community from all faith backgrounds are invited to share in these traditions.
One occasion which brings mothers and daughters together is this celebration of Eucharist. This heart-warming experience is a treasured tradition occurring in the fall. Mother-daughter duos are asked to participate in many ways as readers, homilists, and to lead the congregation in a special blessing.
Campus Ministry makes a genuine effort to put students in touch with their parish and youth ministers. The student body is invited to celebrate mass and parish-registered students attend a lunchtime meeting with her youth minister and/or pastor. Because we see our ministry in collaboration with that of the parish, youth ministers are always welcome to our campus, and students are encouraged to meet with them.
We recognize this occasion in a special way because it is the feast day of our faith community. With honored guests, the Sisters of the Presentation, a special liturgy is prepared and celebrated usually including a guest speaker as the homilist. After mass, the faculty and staff perform follies in a variety show much to the students' delight.
We honor and embrace our diversity of cultures, faiths and traditions through a variety of events that educate, encourage dialogue and celebrate diversity through the following prayer services:
We begin with the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday. In addition to receiving ashes, quality time is given to preparing for the season. Weekly lunchtime services during Lent are planned by students to continue the moments of pause and reflection. While they are creatively presented, each follows a structure that resembles a paraliturgical nature. Students and faculty are invited to attend the lunchtime Sacrament of Healing and Reconciliation. During Holy Week, an all-school gathering marks this important liturgical time. Whether with washing of feet or a passion play narrative, students creatively ritualize the last few days of Our Lord.
In the fall, the juniors gather as a class to celebrate their unity and new role as upper-classwomen. With Campus Ministry, they help plan the liturgy and what special readings will be included. After communion, the Junior homeroom teachers give the students their class rings. Following is a special blessing of the junior class by their mentors who stay with the class their four years at Presentation.
May Day is a celebration of Mary, the Mother of God. Mary is honored in a variety of ways within our school community. With a multi-cultural focus, readings, scripture, poetry, song, dance, and crowning are many of the ways in which we pay tribute to our Blessed Mother. Students of any grade are invited to wear cultural dress and volunteer to read a prayer in their language. Seniors honor Mary by bringing a special flower that day and joining in the procession.
Former Bishop Pierre DuMaine gave Presentation High School the mandate to offer a confirmation. Although Bishop Patrick J. McGrath strongly supports our program, the student’s home parish should be her first choice for a confirmation program. At Presentation, confirmation is offered every other year to juniors and seniors. The process entails completing an application, interviewing with a campus minister, choosing a sponsor, attending mass regularly, participating in evening sessions, and volunteering. Led by Presentation faculty, the evening sessions consist of discussions about what it means to be Catholic, prayer, service, gifts of the spirit, and a celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated at a school-wide liturgy and reception with the Bishop. All parents and guests of the candidates are invited to attend.
