Faith Formation
Source: http://www.toledosua.org/sua-life/faith-formation
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:22
Faith Formation
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Faith Formation
The teachings and life model of St. Angela Merici, foundress of the Ursulines, is instilled in every aspect of daily life at St. Ursula Academy. In our classrooms and our community, through academics and extracurriculars, our students see St. Angela’s values in action—and they become part of the way our girls see the world around them.
The entire SUA community begins each day together in morning prayer, and we pause mid-afternoon for our “Angela Moment,” when we reflect on our day.
Every student takes four years of Theology to learn more about our Catholic faith, other religions, and moral and ethical decision-making.
We celebrate all-school liturgies regularly, including Holy Days and special SUA traditions.
Through Campus Ministry and many informal occasions, our students pray often and open their hearts to service opportunities.
SUA’s loving and supportive atmosphere reflects the Ursuline values so carefully articulated by St. Angela Merici more than 400 years ago. Her motto, "Soli Deo Gloria," a Latin phrase meaning “For the Glory of God Alone,” inspires all of us to live the Gospel values daily and in everything we do.
Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry at St. Ursula Academy offers many opportunities for our students to grow in their Catholic faith, as well as a multitude of different avenues for spiritual expression, regardless of religious affiliation. Students participate in faith-based activities such as liturgies, service projects, prayer services, and volunteer programs.
Monthly Angela Reflection
Read Sr. Donna Frey's monthly reflection on the life of St. Angela Merici.
ANGELA REFLECTION
Arrow Core Team
The Arrow Core Team works alongside the Campus Ministry Team to help in the planning, execution and leading of Masses, prayer services, class retreats, morning announcements and anything else within the general faith life of SUA. The goal of Arrow Core Team is to spread the love of Christ throughout the SUA community in order to grow together in our faith!
Retreats
Every student at St. Ursula Academy participates in one class retreat per year. While faithful to Catholic teaching and tradition, these retreats are inclusive of all students. Every class retreat at SUA is focused on a specific theme that connects to that grade, opening the hearts and minds of all students in relationship to one another and the love of God.
All retreats are held off campus.
6th Grade Retreat
7th Grade Retreat
8th Grade Reatreat
Freshman Retreat
Sophomore Retreat
Junior Retreat
Senior Kairos
SUA Junior Academy Journey
The 6th Grade Retreat is an introduction to the retreat process and includes worship, prayer, and various activities in a large group setting, as students learn what it means to be an Arrow. Exploring the adventures of a new school as they are journeying together in God’s love to become who He created them to be.
True Friendship
Students explore what true friendship means and what it looks like, letting go of fears and things that may hold them back to be the best friend God created them to be, all while realizing and knowing that our best friend is God.
Honor: God, Others, Self
At this retreat the 8th Graders examine how they can best honor God by serving and loving others so they can be their best selves that God created, always remembering that in all interactions in life, they are third.
The Ursuline Core Values in Life
Students develop a sense of what it means to be a member of the SUA community by examining the Ursuline Core Values. Students learn what it means to be a part of the St. Ursula Academy legacy. As the students are new to the school, this retreat takes place early in the year and includes many opportunities for the students to get to know one another. As they seek to grow in their relationship with God and each other as the adventure of high school begins.
Living with Questions
We all live with questions in our daily lives. We explore some of these questions as we weave our lives, friendships and relationships with God together, creating the beautiful life God’s created for us so we can live life more abundantly
Journey to Your Vocation
God’s calling each of us to live our lives fully by following His will for us. Remembering that we must trust completely that God has a plan for us and He will lead us to and through our vocation.
God’s Time
The Senior Retreat is a three-day, overnight retreat, Kairos focuses on our past, our present, and the challenge of our future relationships with God and others. Heavy emphasis is placed on small- and large-group discussions and faith-sharing, witness talks, prayer, liturgy, healing, forgiveness, and community.
Service
St. Ursula Academy's Serviam Program is designed to help students live out the Ursuline charism of contemplative love of God and an openness and eagerness to serve the needs of others. St. Angela Merici dedicated her life to serving women, children, and families suffering from injustice. This program encourages SUA students to imitate her dedication to serving those most in need through intentional service and prayer. A minimum of 60 hours must be completed at two or more nonprofits/organizations throughout the students’ four years of high school.
» Click here for a list of approved service agencies
Serviam Club
Any student is welcome to join the Serviam Club. Serviam means “I Will Serve” in Latin and is used as a motto for Ursuline service programs throughout the world. Students have the opportunity to take on leadership roles for our seasonal collections and drives, as well as participate in monthly service projects both in and outside of school.
The Toledo Labre Program
Every Monday night—rain or shine, holiday or school day, summer or winter—students from St. Ursula Academy, St. John’s Jesuit High School, and Notre Dame Academy come together in a simple act of faith: offering food and friendship to the hungry and homeless of inner-city Toledo. Labre was started 13 years ago to provide students with a unique service experience where they get face-to-face with those they serve.
Students meet each Monday afternoon at the host school (rotates monthly) where they make and package food for the hungry and homeless in East and South Toledo. After the food is ready, students share prayer intentions and pray for those they are going to serve. The group members ride together to two locations, where they distribute food, interact with community members, and build connections with those who need it most.
Afterward, the students head back to the school to reflect on their experience, pray for each person served, and note any special needs for the next visit. Many students return to Labre every week to see those they have connected with and meet new faces.
» Click here to participate in Labre
“St. Benedict Joseph Labre, poor in the eyes of men and women, but rich in the eyes of God, pray for us. Amen.”
I have fallen in love with Labre. It has made me realize how privileged I am to have what I have and how important it is for me to give back to my community.”
Ava DiSalle '26
MENU
Faith Formation
The teachings and life model of St. Angela Merici, foundress of the Ursulines, is instilled in every aspect of daily life at St. Ursula Academy. In our classrooms and our community, through academics and extracurriculars, our students see St. Angela’s values in action—and they become part of the way our girls see the world around them.
The entire SUA community begins each day together in morning prayer, and we pause mid-afternoon for our “Angela Moment,” when we reflect on our day.
Every student takes four years of Theology to learn more about our Catholic faith, other religions, and moral and ethical decision-making.
We celebrate all-school liturgies regularly, including Holy Days and special SUA traditions.
Through Campus Ministry and many informal occasions, our students pray often and open their hearts to service opportunities.
SUA’s loving and supportive atmosphere reflects the Ursuline values so carefully articulated by St. Angela Merici more than 400 years ago. Her motto, "Soli Deo Gloria," a Latin phrase meaning “For the Glory of God Alone,” inspires all of us to live the Gospel values daily and in everything we do.
Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry at St. Ursula Academy offers many opportunities for our students to grow in their Catholic faith, as well as a multitude of different avenues for spiritual expression, regardless of religious affiliation. Students participate in faith-based activities such as liturgies, service projects, prayer services, and volunteer programs.
Monthly Angela Reflection
Read Sr. Donna Frey's monthly reflection on the life of St. Angela Merici.
ANGELA REFLECTION
Arrow Core Team
The Arrow Core Team works alongside the Campus Ministry Team to help in the planning, execution and leading of Masses, prayer services, class retreats, morning announcements and anything else within the general faith life of SUA. The goal of Arrow Core Team is to spread the love of Christ throughout the SUA community in order to grow together in our faith!
Retreats
Every student at St. Ursula Academy participates in one class retreat per year. While faithful to Catholic teaching and tradition, these retreats are inclusive of all students. Every class retreat at SUA is focused on a specific theme that connects to that grade, opening the hearts and minds of all students in relationship to one another and the love of God.
All retreats are held off campus.
6th Grade Retreat
7th Grade Retreat
8th Grade Reatreat
Freshman Retreat
Sophomore Retreat
Junior Retreat
Senior Kairos
SUA Junior Academy Journey
The 6th Grade Retreat is an introduction to the retreat process and includes worship, prayer, and various activities in a large group setting, as students learn what it means to be an Arrow. Exploring the adventures of a new school as they are journeying together in God’s love to become who He created them to be.
True Friendship
Students explore what true friendship means and what it looks like, letting go of fears and things that may hold them back to be the best friend God created them to be, all while realizing and knowing that our best friend is God.
Honor: God, Others, Self
At this retreat the 8th Graders examine how they can best honor God by serving and loving others so they can be their best selves that God created, always remembering that in all interactions in life, they are third.
The Ursuline Core Values in Life
Students develop a sense of what it means to be a member of the SUA community by examining the Ursuline Core Values. Students learn what it means to be a part of the St. Ursula Academy legacy. As the students are new to the school, this retreat takes place early in the year and includes many opportunities for the students to get to know one another. As they seek to grow in their relationship with God and each other as the adventure of high school begins.
Living with Questions
We all live with questions in our daily lives. We explore some of these questions as we weave our lives, friendships and relationships with God together, creating the beautiful life God’s created for us so we can live life more abundantly
Journey to Your Vocation
God’s calling each of us to live our lives fully by following His will for us. Remembering that we must trust completely that God has a plan for us and He will lead us to and through our vocation.
God’s Time
The Senior Retreat is a three-day, overnight retreat, Kairos focuses on our past, our present, and the challenge of our future relationships with God and others. Heavy emphasis is placed on small- and large-group discussions and faith-sharing, witness talks, prayer, liturgy, healing, forgiveness, and community.
Service
St. Ursula Academy's Serviam Program is designed to help students live out the Ursuline charism of contemplative love of God and an openness and eagerness to serve the needs of others. St. Angela Merici dedicated her life to serving women, children, and families suffering from injustice. This program encourages SUA students to imitate her dedication to serving those most in need through intentional service and prayer. A minimum of 60 hours must be completed at two or more nonprofits/organizations throughout the students’ four years of high school.
» Click here for a list of approved service agencies
Serviam Club
Any student is welcome to join the Serviam Club. Serviam means “I Will Serve” in Latin and is used as a motto for Ursuline service programs throughout the world. Students have the opportunity to take on leadership roles for our seasonal collections and drives, as well as participate in monthly service projects both in and outside of school.
The Toledo Labre Program
Every Monday night—rain or shine, holiday or school day, summer or winter—students from St. Ursula Academy, St. John’s Jesuit High School, and Notre Dame Academy come together in a simple act of faith: offering food and friendship to the hungry and homeless of inner-city Toledo. Labre was started 13 years ago to provide students with a unique service experience where they get face-to-face with those they serve.
Students meet each Monday afternoon at the host school (rotates monthly) where they make and package food for the hungry and homeless in East and South Toledo. After the food is ready, students share prayer intentions and pray for those they are going to serve. The group members ride together to two locations, where they distribute food, interact with community members, and build connections with those who need it most.
Afterward, the students head back to the school to reflect on their experience, pray for each person served, and note any special needs for the next visit. Many students return to Labre every week to see those they have connected with and meet new faces.
» Click here to participate in Labre
“St. Benedict Joseph Labre, poor in the eyes of men and women, but rich in the eyes of God, pray for us. Amen.”
I have fallen in love with Labre. It has made me realize how privileged I am to have what I have and how important it is for me to give back to my community.”
Ava DiSalle '26