Faith Experience

As an independent Catholic School that houses a multi-faith reality, FXW strives to be ever-inclusive as we pave the way in religion instruction with our unique 2-tract model. FXW students learn not only about the Catholic faith but also the values and tenets of faith traditions represented by their classmates. The common values and teachings shared among the world’s faith traditions are emphasized, and reverence for the beliefs, practices, and values of all faith traditions is the most critical value embedded in all aspects of FXW’s religion program.

FXW’s Religion Program: 

• Partners with families to enrich the understanding and appreciation of their child’s faith and spirituality

• Instills respect for and understanding of the values and beliefs of Catholicism and numerous world faith traditions

• Establishes a foundation for service work that is an expression of faith-in-action

In Preschool and Kindergarten, learning about religion and the experience of faith is multi-faceted. Stories about God are rooted in each student’s imagination as they learn about God’s goodness in creating the world and each one of us. Their learning in the classroom extends to numerous service opportunities, beginning this message of service as an expression of faith-in-action. Students attend and participate in inter-denominational prayer services that revolve around the many blessings bestowed upon us by God.

In the sacramental years, Grades 2-3 and 7-8, students participate in either a Catholic religion class (Moonbeams) or a multi-faith religion class (Shooting Stars). Based on a robust curriculum rooted in 6 Pillars of Faith, both curricula mirror one another with the Catholic students focusing much of their learning on First Communion (Grade 2), First Reconciliation (Grade 3), and Confirmation (Grades 7-8).

In Grades 1, students experience a hybrid of both heterogenous and homogeneous groupings for the first time. In Grades 4-6, students are grouped heterogeneously to increase their overall knowledge of Catholicism and how it connects and compares to the teachings of other faith traditions. For example, in Grade 6, all students learn about the stories of the Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures as well as the tenets and traditions of the Jewish Faith. A whole class Passover Seder, led by Jewish teachers, parents, and students, is a much-anticipated highlight of the year. In Grade 1, students study the prayerful spaces of their classmates, highlighting the common threads of reverence and community as well as honoring the unique characteristics of places of worship.

Throughout the year, all students participate in inter-denominational prayer services and masses as lived expressions of their faith experience. As an intentionally inclusive community, FXW School values the opportunity for multi-faith dialogue, which involves parental engagement, school-wide learning opportunities, and within the classroom, listening, learning and asking questions to further not only knowledge but also understanding. The celebration of Catholic holy days and seasons, as well as holy celebrations in other faith tradition, are part of our lived faith experience as well.