Spiritual Formation

Liturgies:

All students at IHM attend Mass in the parish church an average of 3 times per month. Most Masses are held on Thursdays at 8:30 am, alongside the parishioners at IHM. Parents and others are always welcome. Masses are also held on Holy Days and for special events such as Grandparents and Special Friends Day and graduation. Middle School students serve as Ministers of Hospitality, lectors and Kindergarten helpers. Students in grades 4-8 are altar servers. Students in grades 3-8 participate in the choir and students from any grade may be gift bearers.

Sacramental Preparation:

Students in second grade receive instruction and are prepared to celebrate the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist during Religion class. However, the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) and the Sacrament of Penance occurs in the parish in which the family of the child is registered. According to the guidelines established by the Archdiocese of Atlanta, a free-standing formation program takes place at the parish where the family is registered. Please contact your parish to inform them that you would like to participate in their program for the Celebration of the Sacraments.

Retreats and Days of Reflection:

September:	Overnight spiritual retreat for all 6th and 7th grade students at YMCA Camp High Harbour on Lake Burton, Georgia– Spiritual and physical activities in a beautiful setting that allow the students to grow closer to God, their classmates and their teachers.
October:	8th grade Unity Retreat is held for 3 days at Alpine Camp in Mentone, Alabama- This retreat brings the graduating class together to for one strong unified group instead of separate groups of friends.
October:	Faculty and Staff Day of Reflection offers the employees of IHM a chance to be refreshed and renewed in the vocation of teaching and assisting students.
March	Second Grade Day of Reflection brings all second grade students together to focus on the importance of the Eucharist.
May	8th Grade Day of Reflection and Celebration provides a final opportunity for the graduates to explore the importance of their time at IHM.

Special events, speakers and field trips:

October:	Archdiocesan Vocations Day for 5th grade
October:	Rosary for Peace
December:	Advent Program
February:	Liturgy for all 8th grade students in Archdiocese
April:	Living Stations of the Cross presented by 7th grade students
May:	Passing of the Light Ceremony for 7th and 8th grade students
May:	Moving Up Ceremony for 5th grade (transition to Middle School)

Virtue of the Month Program:

Teaches students the importance of working on living Christian virtues; instruction in guidance classes and through bulletin boards, awards, etc.

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September - Orderliness
October - Kindness
November - Consideration
December - Caring
January - Self-Discipline
February - Unity
March - Honesty
April - Reliability
May - Gentleness

Service Projects:

All year long:

7th graders help at Margaret Harris Comprehensive School, a neighboring DeKalb County public special education school that serves students with severe and profound intellectual and physical disabilities
Mustard Seed Communities (Jamaica) – fundraising and support together with IHM Church
Briarcliff Oaks and KingsBridge Retirement Homes Bingo – Middle School students play bingo with residents
Recycling of paper, aluminum cans and plastic bottles

September:

Hispanic Heritage Month collection for Caminar Latino (program for battered women)
Pinwheels for Peace

October:

AIDS Walk
Decorated mini pumpkin sales to benefit IHM Church HIV/AIDS Ministry Walk (NJHS sponsored)
Baby bottle coin drive to benefit 3 pregnancy centers

November:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Work of Human Hands Sale (Fair Trade Items)
National Junior Honor Society food and coat drive to benefit Midtown Assistance Center

December:

CRS Work of Human Hands Sales – IHM
Toy Drive sponsored by Student Council to benefit Catholic Charities of Atlanta

January:

Sack lunches and serving evening meal at Central Night Shelter
First Grade collection of men’s gloves for Central Night Shelter
Souper Bowl – NJHS canned food drive and coat collection

February:

Sack lunches and serving evening meal at Central Night Shelter
Candygrams- Student Council fundraiser to benefit school special project
Valentine’s Day treats for OLPH Cancer Home- NJHS

March:

Sack lunches and serving evening meals at Central Night Shelter
Hunger Walk/Run at Turner Field – benefits St. Vincent DePaul Society
Food Drive for St. Vincent De Paul Society
Second Grade service project fundraiser for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
CRS Operation Rice Bowl

April:

Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Sale – IHM Library
CRS Operation Rice Bowl