As Marists, our mission is to make Jesus known and loved in everything we do. This makes campus ministry and faith formation the heart of St. Joe – all parts of St. Joe. Because this is so central to our school, campus ministry includes everyone – every student, teacher, staff, moderator, coach, parent, and alumni – everyone has a place in campus ministry. Our tagline is “All Are Welcome” – and we mean it. But due to rising costs, it is difficult for our campus ministry programming to be accessible to all Bloodhounds. To help us welcome everyone, please consider giving to our school's mission and supporting students in their faith journey. As they come to know and love Jesus, that’s an invaluable treasure that they can’t help but share with the rest of the world.

$450 – Senior Retreat – This covers transportation, lodging, and meals for one student on our senior retreat. This retreat takes place in the beautiful Texas Hill Country at Camp Eagle. Over these four days, students will look back on their time at SJA, look forward to what’s next, let go of their fears and burdens, and let God fill all that space. As they pray, reflect, and participate in a number of outdoor adventure activities with their classmates, seniors come to appreciate that although they’re students for only a few years, they’re Bloodhounds for life.

$325 – Junior Encounter – This covers transportation, lodging, and meals for one student on our Junior Encounter. This retreat is the cornerstone of our retreat program at SJA. Over three days, students Encounter Christ through the sacraments, their small groups, and the witness of their senior leaders. Throughout the 51 Saint Joseph Academy Encounters we’ve hosted so far, there is one constant: a humble and genuine Encounter with Christ.

$100 – Sophomore retreat – This covers transportation, lodging, and meals for one student on our new overnight sophomore retreat. This retreat delves into what it means to be made by God and how we can nourish our soul through good influences, prayer practices, and becoming the person God made us to be.

$1400 – Marist Youth National Programs – This covers the flights, lodging, meals, retreat fees, and overhead costs associated with the various Marist Youth National Programs for one student. Whether it’s the Marist Youth Mission Conference, Leadership Camp, Gathering, or Ecology Weekend, SJA students walk away from these programs with a newfound fire to live out our Marist mission of making Jesus known and loved. Usually hosted at the Marist Brothers Center in Esopus, New York, our students meet students from other Marist schools all over the US, while learning lifelong lessons about how to be leaders in their faith, both at St. Joe and beyond.

$1000 – Domestic SJA Missions Trip – This covers the cost of transportation, meals, and lodging for one student on a domestic SJA Missions trip. Last year, we revived our Missions program for the first time since COVID with a service trip to the Encuentro Project in El Paso, Texas. Students learned about the value of service through action, while working with a variety of faith-based organizations that serve our migrant brothers and sisters. The trip lasted a week; the transformation that occurred in each of these students ignited a passion for caring for society’s least favored that will last a lifetime.

$2500 – International SJA Missions Trip – This covers the flight, lodging, meals, overhead costs, and a donation to the local charity that we will be serving with. Due to costs, we have not been able to host an international service trip. This is not due to a lack of interest or lack of international need. We have been in contact with Marist-associated service groups in Colombia and the Dominican Republic who work to build infrastructure that provides housing and clean water in deeply impoverished areas. We would love to provide our students with this sort of direct contact and service with our brothers and sisters who need the most help, but we can’t do that without your help to bring these costs down.