Living Our Faith
Morning Prayer
Each morning, our entire school community—led by our Campus Minister—comes together in prayer. We lift up urgent needs, special intentions, and family prayer requests as one faith-filled community, placing our trust in Jesus at the start of every day.
Theology Class
Four Years of Faith Formation
At Althoff Catholic, every student completes four years of theology as an essential part of their high school journey. These courses provide a strong foundation in Catholic teaching, helping students grow in their faith while deepening their understanding of God’s Word and His plan for their lives.
Students explore the Bible—authored by God through divine inspiration—learning how to read, interpret, and apply Scripture to their daily lives. They become familiar with the major sections and books of the Bible while discovering its lasting impact on people throughout the world.
Throughout their studies, students are introduced to the mystery of Jesus Christ—the living Word of God and the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity—and reflect on how following Christ leads to a life of purpose and meaning.
Our theology program also helps students develop a strong moral foundation by studying the values, virtues, and principles that guide the lives of Christ’s disciples, empowering them to live with integrity, compassion, and faith.
Through four years of theology, students grow not only in knowledge, but in spirit—preparing them to live out their faith with confidence and conviction.
Mass
Living Our Faith
Faith is at the heart of everything we do at Althoff Catholic, and the celebration of the Mass is the spiritual anchor of our school community. Students gather for all-school Mass every Wednesday, and have the opportunity to attend an optional Mass before school on Fridays—beginning their day rooted in prayer and grace.
Our students also have access to our campus chapel for Eucharistic Adoration, offering quiet time for personal reflection and prayer before Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament.
In addition, we come together as a school family for the Sacrament of Reconciliation during our Penance Services twice each year, providing students the opportunity to experience God’s mercy and renew their hearts.
Throughout the year, our community also joyfully observes Holy Days and the liturgical seasons of the Church, keeping Christ at the center of our daily lives.
Through these traditions and practices, we nurture the spiritual lives of our students—helping them grow in faith, hope, and love.
RETREATS
Our retreats are an opportunity for us to come together as a community and address challenges we may be facing and grow in our faith in God.
Freshmen Retreats
The freshmen retreat program is a one-day, off-site program of renewal led by our Director of Campus Ministry. It focuses on breaking down social barriers, being your true self, and building a sense of Christian community through the example of Jesus Christ and the evangelism of St. Paul.
Sophomore Retreats
The sophomore retreat program is a one-day, off-site program coordinated by our Director of Campus Ministry. The retreat day is led by a nationally experienced Catholic retreat ministry team with a focus on resisting temptations, reconciliation, and virtue.
Junior Retreats
The junior year retreat program is a two-day, overnight event that takes place at Camp Ondessonk in Southern Illinois. This dynamic program, led by our Director of Campus Ministry, entices the students to a whole new level of Christ-centered living and Christian community.
Service
Serving with Faith and Purpose
At Althoff Catholic High School, we believe that service is more than an activity—it’s a calling. Christ teaches us to serve others, and we embrace service as a vital part of living out our Catholic faith.
Through meaningful service experiences, our students:
- Put their Christian values into action
- Grow in awareness and compassion for those in need
- Develop a lifelong commitment to serving others
From local outreach projects to school-wide service initiatives, students are given countless opportunities to make a real difference in the lives of others while growing in faith, humility, and love.
Service is not just something our students do—it’s part of who they become.
Service Requirement
Freshman and sophomore students are required to complete 3 hours of community service each semester. This is in addition to any service hours they may complete with student groups or athletic teams. The hours are tracked and graded through their Theology class.
Senior Service Project
Through the Service Learning Project, seniors spend three weeks in full-time volunteer service. Students are placed in people-serving agencies throughout the community and are given an integrated service experience involving direct, person-to-person contact with those in need. This opportunity for service to others and for personal growth is so important to the Mission of the Catholic high schools and to the Christian formation of our students that the satisfactory completion of the project is a requirement for graduation.
Soup Bus
Our students have the opportunity to meet the poor (especially children) in their own neighborhood, and personally serve them a meal. Sponsored by our Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Soup Mobile Kitchen serves meals to children and adults in an underserved neighborhood of East St. Louis twice a month. The students and faculty raise money, buy and prepare food, and serve it to local residents.
Funerals
Our students are asked to serve at funerals from time to time. Students can be released during the school day to assist and serve with local parishes and priests.