Building character through faith.
Faith is the core of our existence and is what sets us apart from the public school system. Your student’s faith spreads and expands throughout the total experience of each and every day. We are blessed to be able to offer students daily opportunities to learn more about their faith either at weekly Mass, in daily Religion classes, or infused throughout their daily curriculum.
Our Mission
Forming lifelong intentional disciples of Jesus Christ within His Church
Learn more about our Parish Mission, Vision, and Values
Faith formation
It is our goal as educators to help students begin each day with God at the center of their lives. St. Anthony Grade School provides students the opportunity to attend weekly Mass, as well as daily religion classes. Our students actively participate in the Mass in the readings, prayers of the faithful, presentation of gifts, and as altar servers and music cantors. We are committed to creating a life-long commitment to living an active Catholic faith.
Faith in Action
Community service is faith in action. We hope to foster within our students an understanding of their call to share of themselves for the common good. As a promotion requirement, junior high students volunteer up to 15 hours a year over their junior high career at service agencies, school, and church functions, and within their own neighborhoods performing Christian service as an integral part of their lived faith.
Students also participate in a variety of school-organized service opportunities, providing service to numerous community organizations and ministries.
Sacraments
Catholic students in the second grade receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Students prepare for this sacrament by examining their conscience to understand right from wrong, and encountering the healing mercy and forgiveness of God.
Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is also held during the third-grade year at St. Anthony Grade School and the Parish School of Religion. Third-grade students celebrate their First Holy Communion and Confirmation during the same Mass which is held at the Cathedral in Springfield.
Third-grade students celebrate the Sacrament of First Communion. Students learn about this very sacred gift, which is the act of receiving Jesus’ body in the Eucharist for the first time. It is a very special time for Catholic students and their families. All Catholic students are invited to participate in the celebration.
What is restored order?
During the Fourth Diocesan Synod in 2017, lay Catholics representing every parish in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois voted overwhelmingly in support of the restored order of the sacraments, meaning Confirmation would come before First Holy Communion, and they would both occur in third grade. Despite this change being implemented in parishes and schools several years ago, the same concerns and questions debated in the synod are being raised by Catholics in our diocese today. The Diocese of Springfield put together a list of questions that are commonly asked about Restored Order. Answers to those questions along with full information on Restored Order can be found here.
