Debora Campbell, Campus Minister
December is a natural time to reflect on our personal faith, particularly in Catholic and other Christian traditions. It’s the time we welcome the Advent Season, which marks the beginning of a new year in the Catholic Church and a time of waiting and preparation for Jesus’ coming at Christmas.
At Sacred Heart School of Halifax, the Christmas spirit takes hold early and runs deep into December and even January when we celebrate the Epiphany. And yes, there are definitely more faith-based activities during this month in particular.
But, for us, faith and spirituality flourish all year long.
That’s because, as a Catholic school that welcomes all faiths, we educate the whole child — not just intellectually, but physically, emotionally, and spiritually. That spirituality is important; in fact, we would argue it’s essential. The Catholic Church believes that a human body is “…a human body precisely because it is animated by a spiritual soul”. Interestingly, and some might say, incongruously, science also establishes the value of spirituality. Ask noted author, Yale professor, and clinical psychologist Lisa Miller, who has extensively researched the power of spirituality. “Every single human being is born a spiritual being. We know that in science, through twin studies, through MRI studies. Just as much as we’re physical and emotional and cognitive, we are spiritual. It’s our birthright.”
By incorporating spiritual formation in our model of education, Sacred Heart School of Halifax sets itself apart as a private school in Halifax. Since our founding in 1849, faith and spirituality have been unshakeable pillars of our education, and we think they are instrumental in our success and longevity.
Faith is sometimes hard to define or even, for some, to understand. Simply put, faith is believing that there is something greater than ourselves. It draws our eyes and hearts upwards and helps us envision a better world, and inspires us to move towards it. Faith gives us purpose.
But beyond the intangible, there are many ways, both small and large, that we incorporate faith and spirituality into our experience, curriculum, and daily lives.
For instance, our Chapel is a sacred space and refuge for students and staff to escape the worries and busyness of daily life, to rest in the peace and presence of God or whatever higher power calls to them. It also hosts small educational gatherings, group sessions, and spiritual retreats, reinforcing its role as a centre for reflection and community. This spirit of intentional reflection is deepened through our regular practice of Espacio — which literally means “space” — and invites students to embrace silence as a way to slow down and listen to the movements of their hearts.
Throughout the school year, we gather for liturgies and services that are both religious and non-religious in nature, creating opportunities to worship and celebrate together through prayer, readings, and music. These moments foster community, joy, purpose, and hope while also teaching students how to show respect and reverence when due. This commitment extends naturally into our curriculum, where students explore world religions to better understand diverse faiths and perspectives, and where younger students are introduced to foundational stories and teachings of the Bible.
The strength of our community is deeply tied to this shared spirituality. From the Book of Intentions, which invites us to hold one another’s joys and sorrows, to choirs that often sing sacred music, to the everyday practice of love, kindness, and sharing, our values are lived, not merely taught. Social justice is a core part of our Mission: we guide students to examine and challenge the systems that perpetuate racism and other injustices, and to use their voices, hands, and hearts to support those in our broader community who need care and advocacy.
Not everyone here is Catholic. Many faiths are practiced and welcomed within our community, and for those who identify with no faith tradition at all, that too is embraced. What matters most is the shared spirituality we cultivate — a way of thinking, learning, and living where everyone can find comfort, hope, joy, love and a profound sense of belonging at Sacred Heart School of Halifax.
