Education

PEER-TO-PEER EVANGELIZATION IGNITES AT ST. BONAVENTURE

By Kim White, Principal, St. Bonaventure Catholic School     10/19/2018

The third Tuesday of every month is a special day at St. Bonaventure Catholic School, located in Huntington Beach. The parish and school communities meet at the school arrival lines at 7:55 a.m. What is the purpose of this regular call to gathering?  The community comes together to participate in a student-led prayer service presented by the school’s student Campus Ministry team. These monthly worship experiences are completely planned and presented by the seventh- and eighth-grade school students. 

The St. Bonaventure Catholic School Campus Ministry team started in 2015 with 14 student volunteers, under the direction of an eighth-grade teacher, Anjanette Ciccoianni, who has a passion for youth ministry. With her guidance, the student team has grown to 40 student participants today. Over the past three years, the students have led communal prayers of Adoration, Contrition, Petition, and Thanksgiving. They have proclaimed the Gospel, performed skits, and become living advent wreaths. They have celebrated feast days, observed the traditions of the liturgical seasons, supported service outreach causes, and addressed issues relevant to current events. 

Participating on the Campus Ministry team is 100% extracurricular. These young students give their own time, seeking to evangelize their peers in new and fresh ways. Campus Ministry is on the rise at the St. Bonaventure Catholic School and igniting a call to evangelization.  

What draws these students to share their unique gifts and talents? Simply put: Campus Ministry empowers young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in today’s world. These young students learn what it means to follow Jesus Christ and to live as his disciples, empowering them to serve others and to work toward a world built on the vision and values of the reign of God. It draws young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community. And it fosters the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person. Campus Ministry promotes the growth of healthy, competent, caring, and faith-filled Catholic young people. 

Ministry to and with youth, from kindergarten on, needs to touch every aspect of the child’s life so that attitudes, norms, and values can form and be nurtured within a Christian community. St. Bonaventure Catholic School is a place where young people find a welcoming community so that a Christ-centered love is fed and developed. So, if you’re ever on the corner Springdale St. and Heil Ave. on the third Tuesday morning of the month, come to join our prayer service. You will share in an authentic prayer experience that promises to feed your soul.  

To schedule a school tour or to learn more about  

St. Bonaventure’s admissions process, please contact Vanessa Frei at 714-846-2472 x116 or visit the school’s website at  www.stbonaventureschool.org.