Service & Ministry

We must remember that each one of our children is destined for a mission in life. Neither we nor they can know what it is, but we must know and make them believe that each one has a mission in life and that she is bound to find out what it is, that there is some special work for God which will remain undone unless she does it, some place in life which no one else can fill.
Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ

Guided by the Sacred Heart Goal of fostering “an active faith in God,” Woodlands Academy encourages students both to reflect individually and to contribute their time and many talents to our community’s liturgies, prayer services, and student retreats.

Campus Ministry

Woodlands Campus Ministry Team is composed of students from all grade levels and many faith traditions. Team members meet weekly to envision, write, and implement diverse liturgical celebrations for the school community. Students serve as leaders of prayer, readers, speakers, artists, dancers, musicians and Eucharistic Ministers. Great care is taken to make all celebrations creative, meaningful and memorable experiences for the Woodlands Community.

Liturgies & Prayer Services

Mass of the Holy Spirit and Flag Ceremony

This annual liturgy and flag ceremony salutes Woodlands’ international community and marks the official opening of the academic year. The ceremony begins with a procession into the Woodlands Chapel of flags from the countries representing our students, faculty, and staff. The flags remain on display in the Chapel throughout the school year to honor our cultural diversity.

Feast of Mater Admirabilis

These words mean "Mother Most Admirable," one of the titles of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. The original painting of Mater is a fresco at the Trinita'dei Monti in Rome. Pauline Perdreau, a young Religious of the Sacred Heart, painted the fresco depicting Mary as a young girl, dressed in pink. Woodlands celebrates this feast in October with a liturgy and a ceremony honoring our sophomores with special Mater medals. The Feast of Mater Admirabilis commemorates the place that Mary holds in our lives.

Feast of St. Rose Phillippine Duchesne

Feast of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

Madeleine Sophie Barat founded the Society of the Sacred Heart in France in 1800 and was canonized a saint in 1925. The Feast of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat is celebrated every May 25 to remember and to rejoice in her vision and the heritage that is Woodlands Academy’s today: an education that is strong in its studies, serious in its principles, and rich in the spirit of life and community.

St. Malachy's Gospel Liturgy

Outdoor Liturgy

Lambs at the Crib

May Crowning

This tradition within the Catholic Church honors Mary, the Mother of Jesus, by crowning her statue with a wreath of flowers. Mary is honored as a woman of great character who serves as a remarkable role model for contemporary young women. Students and faculty vote for seniors who crown the statue, carry the wreath, read a prayer and carry a banner. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors each select a class representative to walk in the Guard of Honor.

Interfaith Prayer Service

Service Program

The Woodlands Academy Service Program promotes Sacred Heart Goal III, “a social awareness that impels to action.” Freshman are required to do 10 hours of service during their first year. Sophomores, juniors and seniors are required to do 20 hours of service per year. Once a year, students must complete a written reflection for each of their service sites. Students are required to complete 20 hours of service in an area of concentration. This area of concentration will drive their Senior Capstone Service Project. Additionally, each year, all Woodlands students, faculty and staff come together for a Day of Service.