In 2019, Manistee Catholic Central implemented the Virtues in Practice Program. Virtues in Practice is a program for children in preschool through 11th grade to grow closer to Jesus by imitating His life and virtues. This program is set up in such a way that the whole school studies the same virtue each month with each age group studying at a level which best suits them. This provides a whole-school focus, and an at-home, whole-family focus. It is a curriculum structured on the teachings of saints, regarding the virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Our students are able to reflect on the virtue of the month through classroom instruction, and in daily practices. Also, our priests tailor their homilies during weekly mass to give examples of how saints have displayed these virtues, as well as give suggestions on how our students can apply each virtue to their daily lives. This practice allows our students to cultivate the necessary habits to live as Disciples of Christ.
If a student is observed displaying great understanding of a virtue, they receive a ‘Saber Rock’ and their name is announced to the whole school during afternoon prayer.
The virtues our students studied during the 2019/20 school year were: self-control, faith, courtesy, good judgement, courage, respect, obedience, patience, and gratitude. The virtue we would like our students, staff, and families to focus on during the summer is hope.
Hope is trusting in God’s loving plan. Through the virtue of hope, our hearts are set on the goal of heaven.
His plan for our lives, and that He expects us to do our part to increase the talents He has given us so that we are ready to answer His call.
Year of Hope
The Year of Hope offers an opportunity to focus on study skills and vocations. We know that God designed each of us with gifts and talents to suit His plan for our lives, and that He expects us to do our part to increase the talents He has given us so that we are ready to answer His call.