Faith and Service: Living Our Values

At Serra, faith is part of the rhythm of daily life. You see it in the way students show up for one another, in classrooms where big questions are taken seriously and in moments set aside to reflect and reconnect. Our Campus Ministry program anchors this experience, offering opportunities for reflection, connection, leadership and outreach.

Grounded in the Catholic tradition and welcoming to students of all backgrounds, Serra invites students to explore spirituality in ways that are both personal and shared. Across theology classes and campus life, students wrestle with enduring questions of purpose, meaning and responsibility. They don't just attend liturgies, they help plan and lead them; they make them their own.

Retreats like the Imago Dei junior retreat and the Kairos senior retreat are defining parts of the journey. For many students, that's when things begin to click. Friendships deepen, perspectives shift and they start to see themselves and others in a new light. It's not unusual to hear alumni point back to these experiences as moments that stayed with them long after their time at Serra.

Service at Serra is about showing up thoughtfully and with intention. Whether serving in local neighborhoods, around the state, across the country or globally, our Padres contribute thousands of hours of Christian service each year. They come to understand service as an ongoing commitment. They acknowledge that the gospel reminds us we are responsible for our brothers and sisters, especially those in need.

Campus Ministry's year-long student leadership program, Encounter, invites seniors to deepen their faith while continuing to grow as leaders through faith formation, leadership development, brotherhood and prayer. The team meets biweekly in the evenings to pray, reflect, journal and share with one another. Encounter leaders lead freshman, sophomore and junior retreats, Kairos, and social justice activities. They also help to plan and participate in our liturgical celebrations.

This is what we mean by educating the whole person. Serra challenges students to grow -- not only academically, but as young men of respect, integrity, inclusion and compassion. In a world that can feel noisy and uncertain, we help our students grow spiritually, deepen their faith and discover God's presence in their lives.

Campus Ministry Staff

Prayer

Prayer is part of daily life at Serra. During daily announcements, Encounter leaders invite everyone in the school community to join in prayer and silent reflection. When not in use by others, our on-campus chapel is open to anyone seeking a quiet retreat from the noise of the day. Teams, clubs and classes may include prayer as part of their activities.

The Serra School Prayer serves as a unifying tradition, orienting Padres toward a shared sense of purpose. Composed by students decades ago, it remains woven into the life and identity of the school.

Serra School Prayer

Lord God, from you comes all that is good,
all our talents and abilities.
Help us develop these gifts,
even when it means hard work.
Help us face the reality of working together as a community.
When necessary,
help us deal with pain and disappointment.
Be with us in our endeavors.
In the spirit of Junípero Serra,
let us never give up.
Let this dedication in our lives today
help us grow in faith, maturity and life for tomorrow.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.