All girls, grades 1-12, Catholic, independent school with a co-ed early childhood program

Faith SR

Before coming to Stone Ridge, I did not consider myself as a person who was deeply rooted in my faith. Since becoming a Stone Ridge girl, my personal faith in God and relationship with God has grown in ways that I could have never imagined. Obvious displays of faith such as prayer and attending Mass have become a significant practice in my life, but underneath this surface layer, I have felt and can still feel myself growing in the mission of the Sacred Heart and of Stone Ridge. My understanding for the greater community around us has increased along with my desire to help those in need through social action. My appreciation for the great privilege and value of our education has grown so much.
- Caroline Hertzberg '20

PRAYER & FAITH RESOURCES
As the ways in which we have traditionally connected to our personal faith and our communities have been disrupted, we offer these resources for you and your families to help sustain and deepen your spirituality and connect your prayer needs to the community of Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart.

Advent at Stone Ridge

Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four Sundays and weekdays leading up to the celebration of Christmas. The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of Jesus’ birth on Christmas.

Photo of Children in Nativity Scene

Advent Resources for Families

Advent Wreath Blessings: Sharing and Blessing of Advent Wreath, Tuesday, December 1, 6:30 pm. Lower and Middle School families are invited to attend the virtual event hosted by Mrs. Meg Russell, LS/MS Campus Minister. This article from Ministry Spark is a great resource for families who want to make and Advent wreath. RSVP to share your wreath and have it blessed.

Sacred Heart Schools Advent Prayers: Sacred Heart Schools from the US and Canada have collaborated to bring the Sacred Heart community four weeks of Advent prayers. Spend time in prayer and reflection with this video on the First Week of Advent, Second Week of Advent

Hanging of the Greens: Last year the SRPA and the Office of Formation to Mission collaborated on a “A Hanging of the Greens Prayer Service” to begin SRPA Christmas Decorating Day. While we will miss decorating the school together this year, we invite you to use this Hanging of the Greens Prayer Service for Stone Ridge Families as you begin decorating your house to call to mind the rich, spiritual symbolism of our Christmas decorations. Feel welcome to adapt the program to your family!

Chapel: Our Chapel remains open and available for personal prayer for students and employees, as well as classroom visits to our Advent Wreath and Nativity Set Collection. Safety Guidelines are posted at the entrance to the Chapel. 

Divisional Advent Programming: Our Lower School and Middle School Campus Minister, Meg Russell, led families in an “Advent Wreath Sharing & Blessing” this past Tuesday. If you were not able to attend and would like to bless your wreath, please feel welcome to use this blessing. Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School will begin their assemblies throughout Advent with Advent Prayers. Upper School had a beautiful Advent Prayer Service to begin Social Action yesterday and several of our students participated in a Network of Sacred Heart Schools Retreat this week with other students from the 24 schools in the US and Canada. Upper School students are participating in an Attitude of Gratitude throughout the month of December led by the Counseling Department. 

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception: Next Tuesday is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. We will be honoring this special day by division. Students in the Lower School will hear the Gospel proclaimed and teachers will select from a handful of other age-appropriate worksheets, activities, and prayers. The Middle School will honor the Solemnity with a student-led Prayer Assembly. Upper School will begin their day with prayer at Assembly. Visit Archdiocese of Washington or your parish website for information about live-streamed or in-person Masses for that day. 

Mass Resources

Digital Mass
If you wish to share in the experience of participating in the Mass, here is a list of Live Streamed & Recorded Masses and Prayers in the Archdiocese of Washington

Spiritual Communion

If you miss receiving Communion, you might try praying an Act of Spiritual Communion, such as this one composed by St. Alphonsus Liguori:  

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Pope Francis' prayer to Mary
during coronavirus pandemic

O Mary,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman People,
know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings
and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.

Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

Stone Ridge Tabernbacle

 

Need more guidance or suggestions? Share your photos, ideas, and questions with the Campus Ministers. Photos and ideas might be shared on Stone Ridge’s Social Media Pages.