Forming students as young women who embody the Gospel is at the center of Immaculate Heart Academy's mission. Over the four years our students spend at IHA, they are continuously invited to dive deeper into their Catholic faith, further their relationship with God, and use their gifts in service to others.
Immaculate Heart Academy boasts a robust Campus Ministry program under the direction of Ms. Emily Ash '19.
Campus Ministry Opportunities include:
Small Christian Communities: 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.
Grade-Level Retreats: 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.
Special Programs:
We have two special programs that are offered on an alternating basis, bi-annually: 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.
Monthly Liturgies
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.
Daily Mass
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.
Eucharistic Ministers
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.
Altar Servers
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.
Faculty Retreat
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.