Catholic School in Los Angeles Area | Louisville High School

Faith in action

Louisville is committed to developing faith-filled and morally aware individuals who are of service to their Church and school, to the community, and to others. By participating in Louisville’s Retreat and Community Service programs, each student has the opportunity not only to enrich her own life by giving back but to enrich the lives of others by volunteering in a variety of ways.

Masses at Louisville are unlike any other because not only do the students and faculty all come together, but people of different cultures and faiths are celebrated.

Gina Kim, Class of 2025

Liturgies & Celebrations

All students are encouraged to participate in Liturgies and other celebrations as lectors, singers and cantors, movement ministers, sacristans, eucharistic ministers, ushers, and sound technicians. The following are some of our favorite celebrations:

Liturgies

Feast of St. Louis
Heritage Mass: Celebrating the Irish heritage of the Sisters of St. Louis who came to California and founded Louisville High School.
All Saints Day
Immaculate Conception
Assumption of Mary
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Baccalaureate Mass: On the evening before graduation graduates and their families gather on the senior lawn for a sunset Mass. Seniors reflect on their four years as a Louisville student, and treasure this special evening together.
Grandparents Liturgy: Every year our students invite their grandparents to celebrate the Mass followed by a special luncheon together.
Spring Mass and Picnic: Our annual Mass and Picnic in May also includes an induction of graduating seniors into the Louisville Alumnae Association. Families and Alumnae join us for Mass, followed by a picnic lunch on the class lawns.

Prayer Services & Celebrations

Los Angeles Archdiocesan Events

Louisville also participates in events that are put on by the Los Angeles Archdiocese, such as:

Los Angeles Youth Day: A day specifically planned by teens, for teens, held at the Anaheim Convention Center. Our students attend and help to plan an participate in the event, sharing their faith with others.
Catholic Prayer Breakfast: Students participate in this special event at the Our Lady of Angels Cathedral, praying the Rosary, attending Mass, and listening to inspiring keynote speakers.

The retreats here at Louisville give me time to decompress from the stress that school life brings, and grow mentally and spiritually. They also provide a great opportunity to get closer with my classmates and create bonds that will stay strong for years to come.

Sophia Weight, Class of 2025

Retreats

All retreats are student-directed, with students being selected to serve as the retreat leaders and trained in preparation for each retreat experience. Each class retreat is designed to guide students through the growth and challenges of that particular year and developmental period. Overseen by the Campus Minister and joined by members of the Faculty and Staff, Louisville retreats are truly led with love.

Freshman Retreats: Sanctuary & Embracing Your Gifts

The freshman class is invited to two retreat experiences on campus in the fall and again at the beginning of the second semester. Students receive an explanation of the sanctuary that they will discover while they are here at Louisville.

Led by Sophomore, Junior, and Senior students
Student talks are given based off of the themes of love, faith, friendship, and sisterhood
Retreats begin with prayer prior to breaking the students up into smaller groups. Larger activities and discussions also take place throughout the day.

Sophomore Retreat: Choices

The sophomore retreats are two-day retreats held off campus at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino. Celebrating life's choices, the retreats are a time of exploration of the choices made throughout our lives. They allow for small group discussion, personal reflection, and communal prayer.

Led by junior and senior students
Personal talks are given by student leaders reflecting on choices that have been made in their life and the consequences that followed
Student leaders share their journey in faith and finally the choices they hope to make as they mature
There are a number of activities and exercises over the two days that help to emphasize choices made in the retreatants’ lives
Quiet time is allotted for reflection and journaling

Junior Retreat: Encounter

Encounter is a three-day retreat held off-campus at the Serra Retreat Center in Malibu. This retreat is based upon the Gospel of Emmaus and focuses on the encounters we all experience in our lives. Those who choose to make this retreat enjoy opportunities to develop their prayer lives, engage in spiritual dialog, discuss issues that are pertinent to their personal struggles as well as growth in faith, hope, and love.

Led by Senior students
Retreatants learn to build trust in one another, in themselves, and in God
Time is given for personal reflection, journaling, and shared activities
A Mass or Taize Prayer service

Senior Retreat: Kairos

The senior retreat is Kairos, which means “The Lord’s Time.” This retreat enables candidates to focus on their relationship with God, with themselves, and with family and friends. It fosters the value of Christian life as the candidates work to build a true faith community over four days at the Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center in Sierra Madre.

Led by a combination of adult, student and alumnae leaders
Talks are given over the four days, along with group activities and shared prayer
Students participate in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist
Students are given the opportunity to discover what it means to live the “fourth day”

Service

Our community and environmental service program connects Louisville students to the mission of the school which invites the entire community "to bring Christ to all and all to Christ." In the spirit of the charism of the Sisters of St. Louis, Louisville High School requires that students participate in a Christian service program. Part of each service opportunity is dedicated to orienting students to the challenges and blessings of volunteer service. By encouraging commitment to lifelong service, Louisville students are inspired to become leaders and volunteers who will tackle problems of poverty and environmental issues in their immediate and global communities.

Through the Christian service program, students will graduate Louisville High School with an awareness of the many local volunteer opportunities available to tackle issues of poverty, environmental stewardship, and social justice with open minds, hearts, and hands.

In addition to the school provided service trip, students will be required to complete 10 hours of community service on their own at each grade level. In total Louisville students will graduate with over 100 hours of community service after their four years at Louisville.

Service has truly allowed me to find my love for helping others in my community and reminds me how every life has value. I am so glad to have such a comforting and supportive community.

Mary Piscatella, Class of 2024

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