Living The Mission
Mission
Ursuline Academy fosters respect, compassion, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to service. Inspired by the legacy of St. Angela Merici, our students grow to be women of integrity who engage in their communities with purpose and presence. We live with faith, courage, and joy.
Ursuline Core Values
Each Ursuline school in the United States and abroad is founded on a core set of values that originated with St. Angela Merici. They include:
– Spiritual formation and faith development
– Academic excellence
– Respect for the uniqueness of the individual
– Development of the whole person
– Development of a nurturing community spirit
– Commitment to peacemaking
– Serviam (I will serve) as a lived reality
"Our goal is that each student comes to know the joy of giving others her most valuable gift–herself–and one of her most precious resources, her time. "
Service
In keeping with Ursuline’s motto, Serviam, and the Christian call to help others, each student is required to perform community service in keeping with her abilities and interests. Our goal is that each student comes to know the joy of giving others her most valuable gift– herself– and one of her most precious resources, her time.
Service Expectations
- Grades 7, 8 and 9 complete 30 hours of service per year
- Grades 10 and 11 complete 40 hours of service per year
- Grade 12 complete 80 hours of service performed during their Senior Service Project.
Each grade is asked to complete 5 hours of service in line with a specific focus (see below).
- Grade 7: Elderly
- Grade 8: Education & Literacy
- Grade 9: Individuals with Special Needs
- Grade 10: Hunger, Poverty, Homelessness
- Grade 11: Environmental Ethics
Campus Ministry
The Campus Ministry team at Ursuline Academy seeks to create an environment permeated with Gospel values and to enrich our community with a greater depth of contemplation and participation in Catholic social action. Students’ spiritual life is nourished in a variety of ways throughout the year.
- Required community service hours
- Daily prayer
- Community prayer services
- Eucharistic Masses with Choral Group ministries
- Peer Minister-led class retreats
- Student service events such as the Thanksgiving Food Drive, Christmas in the City, Clothe-A-Child Project, and the Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk
- Student service through community organizations such as the Dedham Food Pantry, My Brother’s Keeper, and Ursuline Education Services sponsored service trips.
Ministry Office
The Campus Ministry Office welcomes all suggestions for service projects and will consider all submissions carefully. Students and parents are welcome to suggest a service opportunity! In most instances, suggestions will not be incorporated within the same academic year since service trips require the coordination of staff and faculty and have to be planned in advance. Thank you for your continued prayers and work in support of our mission of Serviam.
The following are suggestions for students and present possible service opportunities:
- Assist with an after-school program
- Teach CCD or participate in Liturgical Ministry
- Visit the elderly
- Serve at a charitable or nonprofit organization, e.g., St. Vincent de Paul, My Brother’s Keeper, Cradles to Crayons, Pine Street Inn, Room to Grow, Community Servings, New Life Furniture, the ARC of MA, Community Harvest, etc.
- Serve at a food pantry or soup kitchen
- Assist with education or sports programs for children or adults with special needs
- Assist with an environmental preservation, protection or clean up initiative
If you have any questions, please contact the Campus Ministry office at 781-493-7791.