Spiritual formation is formally addressed through daily religion class in PK4-8th grade. Student learn about the Church's teachings, scripture, tradition, and moral life through programs including "Allelu" (PK), RCL series (K-5th), Sadlier and Loyola series (6th-8th) and through spiritual retreats and the Pines Catholic Camp retreat in 8th grade.

The guiding principals of Catholic faith and the development of the individual child are reflected in student life on the campus daily. The development of the Catholic faith is present in daily religion classes, participation in the liturgy and in preparation of the sacraments of First Holy Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation.

Student go to Mass (1st-8th grade) or a Prayer Service (PK-K) once a week by grade level. The 3rd-8th grade attend Mass together on first Fridays and students at both campuses attend Mass on Holy Days of Obligation. In addition to the celebration of Mass, students also participate in recitation of the Rosary, receive the sacrament of Reconciliation, reenact The Living Stations of the Cross, the Living Rosary and celebrate Feast Days such as Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with the Blessing of the Animals, May Crowning for the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and All Saints' Day.

To continue the Know it. Show it. Live it. motto, the STA community participates in giving back to our community on a monthly basis. This year alone, students have:

• Raised $13,000 for Hurricane Harvey victims
• Provided funding to local charities through $ Dress Days
• Filled Manna Bags for our local homeless population and bags for patients undergoing chemotherapy
• Collected peanut butter for Catholic Charities Food Pantry
• Taken part in walks benefiting organizations near and dear to our teachers and staff hearts like PanCan and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
• Our 8th grade students completed hundreds of volunteer hours at local non-profits and raise money for the St. Albert the Great Scholarship Fund
• NJHS members sorted and distributed food for North Texas Food Bank

Father John has long delivered the message "It's not enough to know it, you also have to show it." Our teachers work to recognize students working to follow Father's message.

At the Upper School, Christian Witness Awards are presented quarterly to students exemplifying Gospel faith and values through their behavior in and out of the classroom.

At the Lower School students are presented with the Angel in Action award in the classroom based on life skills such as kindness, patience, caring, courage, integrity, cooperation, friendship, truthfulness, and trustworthiness.

Other awards include the National Volunteer Service Award for students giving over 100 hours of community service during their 8th grade year.

Prayer is an important element in St. Thomas Aquinas spiritual formation program. Students and teachers begin their morning and end their school day with prayer. The 8th grade students serve as prayer buddies and mentors to the 3rd graders new to the Upper School campus.

The Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas

Heavenly Father, we praise you and thank you for your great love, and we lift up this day for your blessing. With your help, we will live today as responsible, generous, and honest students. Like Jesus, we will try today to treat everyone we meet with dignity and respect. With Jesus' spirit alive in us, we will witness His love by thinking of others first and ourselves last. Help us today, Father, to put into action what we have said in words. We ask this in Jesus' name.