Weekly discussion groups where IHA’s young women come together to pray, share, and support one another through their faith journeys by reading, journaling, and conversing.

Each class gathers annually for a grade-level retreat, a requirement for all students to complete each year. On these retreats, students reflect on their call as Catholic women, hear from dynamic Catholic speakers, identify their gifts, take part in team-building activities, study scripture, and participate in faith sharing and the Sacraments.

We have two special programs that are offered on an alternating basis: our BELIEVE. Conference and our Mission@theheart trip.

BELIEVE. Conference: A two-night, Gospel-Centered personal development conference open only to IHA students. At past BELIEVE. Conferences, students heard from a variety of Catholic woman speakers such as Lisa Cotter, Katie Prejean McGrady, Isabella Somera’17, and Lauren Rhein’09. Participants take part in discussions, Mass, adoration, and enjoy a formal sisterhood dinner with their peers.

Mission@theheart: A three-day service immersion trip that takes place in Kearny, NJ. This trip offers IHA students the opportunity to serve a variety of local non-profits, take part in workshops and discussions on social structures and Catholic social teaching, and participate in Sacramental experiences such as Mass, adoration, and confession.

IHA gathers as a community to celebrate Mass at least once per month. Students participate in liturgical planning and serve as altar servers, Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, and choir members. 

IHA offers Mass in the Sister’s Chapel on a regular basis for students and faculty members as an opportunity to celebrate liturgy together as a community and ground ourselves in our Catholic faith. For more information and to request a Mass intention, please contact Ms. Jessica Giglio, at jgiglio@ihanj.com.

At the end of Junior year, rising seniors are invited to apply to be trained and commissioned as Eucharistic Ministers for the IHA community. These Extraordinary ministers of Communion serve at all school liturgies and may go forward to serve in their parishes.

Each year, IHA students are invited to apply to be trained and commissioned as Altar Servers. These young women serve Mass for the IHA community and go forward to serve in the same capacity in their home parishes.

Catholic Identity is also at the heart of the mission of the IHA faculty. With this in mind, each fall, the entire IHA faculty gathers for a day of retreat. Faculty members listen to presentations by well known, dynamic Catholic speakers, participate in discussions, share their own faith journeys, and celebrate Mass together. The day ends with a few surprises from our students.