Campus Ministry at Hackett: A Year of Encounter and Mission

At Hackett Catholic Prep, Campus Ministry is at the heart of student life—helping our school community encounter Christ in meaningful and consistent ways throughout the year.
 
Each week, students and faculty gather for All-School Mass, coordinated by the Campus Ministry team in collaboration with our chaplain, Fr. Tom McNally. Students play an active role in these liturgies by serving as lectors and altar servers, helping foster a deep sense of ownership and reverence for the Mass. We are always grateful to welcome parents and family members to join us for liturgies as well—their presence is a powerful reminder that parents are the first and most important teachers of the faith.
 
In addition to weekly Mass, we also celebrate special event liturgies, including an All Souls Day Mass, a reverent time of prayer for loved ones who have passed, and our annual Catholic Schools Week Mass, which welcomes students from across the Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo (CSGK). These beautiful celebrations are concelebrated by many of our supportive CSGK pastors, highlighting our unity as a Catholic school community.
 
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is readily available to students—Fr. McNally offers weekly confessions or appointments, and all-school opportunities for confession are held during Advent and Lent. During Lent, the entire student body also participates in Stations of the Cross, entering more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s Passion.
 
One of the highlights of the spring semester is our Serv-a-thon, when students bring Christ to the community by volunteering with organizations like St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities of Kalamazoo, or assisting at local parishes. Through service, our students come to see that faith is not only something we profess, but something we live.
 
Each year, we also invite a guest speaker to inspire and challenge our students. Past speakers have included Jason Evert and Manny Gonzalez, and this year we were blessed to welcome Chris Stefanick, who presented his nationally acclaimed Reboot program. Chris brought a contagious joy that continues to permeate our school long after his visit.
 
Our team also coordinates grade-level retreats, offering students time away from their daily routines to grow in faith and deepen their relationships with God and one another. Each retreat includes Mass, Confession, Adoration, and meaningful opportunities for class bonding and spiritual reflection.
 
Campus Ministry at Hackett is more than a program—it’s a mission to form disciples who know Christ, love the Church, and bring the joy of the Gospel into the world.