Saint Andrew Catholic School utilizes the Virtues in Practice program created by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecelia, Nashville, TN for children in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The purpose of the program is to grow closer to Jesus by imitating His life and virtues.  

This 3-year program focuses on the Theological Virtues, faith, hope, and charity. Children not only study and grow in virtues but experience virtues as a part of their everyday lives. The program covers 27 virtues over a three-year cycle, with 81 saints held up as models of the virtues. 

The years of the cycle emphasize and are named for the three theological virtues: 

• The year of FAITH focuses on Catholic devotions and the idea that “faith works” (Gal 5:6), by a school-wide emphasis on service projects. 
• The year of HOPE emphasizes study skills because in order to fulfill His plan for our lives we need to develop the talents God has given us. 
• The year of CHARITY emphasizes community, particularly how students interact with one another, because “he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 Jn 4:20).

This is the fourth year that Saint Andrew has participated in the Virtues in Practice program and we will be focusing on the year of FAITH.

Monthly virtures for the YEAR OF FAITH are:

• September: Faith - Believing in God and all He has revealed
  • Saints for September - Saint Martha, Saint Jerome, and Saint Augustine; click here to read more about these holy people of great faith.
• October: Reverence - Showing your deepest respect for things of God
• November: Stewardship - Returning to God the first fruits of your time, talent, and treasure
• December: Generosity - Giving without counting the cost
• January: Gratitude - Seeing everything as a gift and and being thankful
• February: Honesty - Being trustworthy and true
• March: Mercy - Caring for those who suffer
• April: Justice - Being fair and giving each his due
• May: Zeal - Being driven by an intense love for God

More information on the program can be found at https://www.nashvilledominican.org/apostolate/evangelization-and-catechesis/virtues-in-practice