The Vicariate groups began five years ago and they meet twice per month, each led by one teacher. They have covered topics such as gossip, bullying, role models, and perfection. Their goals are to discuss and share opinions on topics within the groups, as well as teach the Church’s viewpoint on the topic and how they as Catholics are called to act. The groups are 15-20 students with one teacher, grade specific and separated by gender.
These group sessions have included activities such as simple icebreakers, motivational or informational videos, and other games, such as Jeopardy, to get the students thinking. An icebreaker might be something like a simple question to get the groups talking. In tackling the topic of role models, students are asked their favorite Disney character and why.
In another case, the teacher read several moral / ethical statements of opinion, based on the session topic, while students stood lined up on a taped line on the ground. Students took a step to the left if they agreed, to the right if they disagreed or stood still if they had no opinion or were ambivalent or uncertain. This led to a sit down group discussion of the session’s topic. This basic format is the agenda of each session. An ice breaker, scha short video, or a game to get people thinking, and then open group discussion.
“The simplicity of meeting with a group of girls that are not necessarily the friends I hang out with every day, and being able to openly share my opinions and faith, while at the same time learning about others, is truly inspiring,” said Senior Teresa Roquet. “Not every high school student can say they have a whole group behind them supporting them whenever they need the extra help or advice. Vicariates not only bring friendships together, but create new ones and even mend broken ones.”
Teacher Mat Troy, a leader of the Aquinas Campus Ministry Leadership Team who has been active in the Vicariates program, says the gatherings were more scripted in the beginning. Now, the teachers receive basic outlines that cover specific topics ranging from Peer Pressure and Drug Abuse, to Accepting Oneself and what it means to be a Child of God, he adds.
“Our best case scenario is that the groups bond as a family within the school, lifelong friends are made, and new understandings of a Catholic-Christian lifestyle are learned,” said Troy.