Our Vision and Mission
OUR MISSION
At Father McGivney Catholic High School we believe in developing the whole student, mind, body and spirit. We model our mission to promote a Culture of Life from the four pillars of the Knights of Columbus – Unity, Charity, Fraternity and Patriotism.
OUR VISION & MOTTO
McGivney was designed to use the most modern technology for classroom learning. Our teachers and staff come highly recommended and have impressive experience and teaching certifications. McGivney’s curriculum and extracurricular activities provide an excellent, well-rounded high school experience. But, Father McGivney Catholic High School wasn’t started just to provide a high-tech, academically-challenging, college preparatory education. McGivney is a Catholic high school – not just in name, but in spirit and faith. Upon McGivney’s inception, a Faith Formation Committee was established to ensure that Catholic identity is integral in every aspect of the high school, and not just an added component. This committee worked for years to design a unique faith formation program for faculty, staff, parents and students that represents our motto: Servire Culturae Vitae – Serving the Culture of Life.
PILLARS OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
HOUSE MODEL ORGANIZATION
Based on the US Bishop’s document on Ministry to Youth entitled “Renewing the Vision,” McGivney will incorporate youth ministry concepts into the House Faith Formation model where students will meet with their “House” – a group made up of a cross-section of students from each class. This model allows for friendly competition, as well as the opportunity for mentoring one another in an environment that breaks down barriers between cliques and stereotypes.
SERVICE: FMCHS Works of Mercy
Annually, our students have the opportunity to give back to their parish, their school community, and the world at large. As such, students are required to participate in two components of the FMCHS Service Learning Program in order to prepare them to become selfless and generous adults: individual volunteer opportunities, and school-sponsored Service Days. They must demonstrate a living faith by documenting a total of, at minimum, 10 hours as a Freshman, 15 hours as a Sophomore, 20 hours as a Junior, and 25 hours as a Senior.
THEOLOGY CURRICULUM
The ultimate goal of the Theology curriculum at Father McGivney Catholic High School is to help our students know, love, and serve God in this world so that they may be happy with Him forever in the next. The eight semesters of theology required for FMCHS students include the six required courses as directed by the USCCB's Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age (2007) along with specific instruction in the Apologetics. The additional Apologetics material is to support the defense of the Faith that is needed in our modern culture. Two electives (Church History and Catholic Social Teaching) are offered as college-preparatory Theology IV. From the introduction of this framework, we understand that "The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ" (Catechesi Tradendae, 5). Each course in the curriculum is designed to impart to students the what and why of the teachings and Tradition of the Catholic Church, and then to instruct students on how to defend and live those teachings in their lives.
FACULTY FAITH FORMATION
An important element of ensuring the Catholic integrity of McGivney, faculty faith formation is based on the successful programs developed by the Evermode Institute. The Evermode Institute offers a complete curriculum in the fundamentals of our Faith that is confident in its Catholicism and clear in its approach.