Student Life

Campus Ministry

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Campus Ministry

At Lacordaire, Campus Ministry is where faith turns into action. Students across all divisions participate in community-minded activities, from letter writing to soldiers and card campaigns for hospitalized children to food and clothing drives and visits to senior residences. Extended service opportunities include Student Council, Preachers Club, and other initiatives that deepen student engagement. Daily reflections and monthly liturgies nurture both personal and communal spirituality. 

In the broader Dominican tradition, education is about more than academic success—it’s about preparing students for meaningful, fulfilling lives. Students are encouraged to use their talents to address today’s urgent challenges, from social justice to leadership, striving for the common good, and making a tangible difference in their communities and the world. 

Service to Others

Service to others lies at the heart of the Dominican mission. Lacordaire students proudly partner with local, regional, and national organizations to make a real impact locally, and, in the Upper School, far-reaching travel: 

List of 2 items.

  • Local & Regional Partners 

    • Mother Teresa House, Montclair, NJ 
    • Toni’s Kitchen, Montclair, NJ 
    • Human Needs Food Pantry, Montclair, NJ 
    • The Salvation Army, Montclair, NJ 
    • St. James Episcopal Church, Montclair, NJ 
    • Father John’s Animal House, Lafayette. NJ  
    • Bridges Outreach, Summit, NJ 
    • St. Catherine’s Health Care LLC, Caldwell, NJ Community Food Bank of NJ 

  • National Partners

    • Magnificat House, Jersey City, NJ 
    • First Cerebral Palsy Center, Belleville, NJ 
    • St. John’s Soup Kitchen, Newark, NJ 
    • Mercy House, Newark, NJ 
    • Habitat for Humanity, Bergen/Passaic 
    • Oasis, A Haven for Women and Children, Paterson, NJ 
    • Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley 
    • Common Ground Relief, New Orleans, LA 
    • Humanitarian Respite Center, McAllen, TX 
    • De La Salle Blackfeet School, Browning, MT
    • Christian Appalachian Project, Kentucky 
    • La Salle Educational Center, Homestead, FL 
    • Dominican Veritas Ministries, Nationwide 
    • Dominican Youth Movement USA 

Project Justice and Travel Service

Lacordaire Academy seniors have the opportunity to put the Gospel message of service into action through Project Justice. As part of the program, students complete an additional 60 hours of service with local organizations that support young children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. 

In 2024, students traveled to the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, LA, to assist Common Ground Relief in rebuilding communities still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. The previous year, students served on the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, MT, working as teaching aides in a classroom for Native children. That same summer, students traveled to the Texas-Mexico border to support families in a migrant shelter. Each year, members of the Preachers Club also have the opportunity to attend the Dominican High School Preachers Conference alongside our campus minister.

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 3 frequently asked questions.

  • Will Lacordaire prepare my child for their sacraments? 

    Yes. Lacordaire’s religion program is an approved alternative to CCD at your child’s parish. While the sacraments are administered through your own parish, we also celebrate them together at Lacordaire. Our second-graders celebrate First Reconciliation in early winter and First Holy Communion in late May. 

    If you are seeking Confirmation preparation for your child, you will need to work with your parish program. 

  • What does the religion program look like for students from non-Catholic families?

    At Lacordaire, about half of our students are Catholic, and half come from a variety of faith backgrounds or none at all. Because we are an independent school, our religion program is not tied to specific guidelines, and we welcome all students to participate fully. Religion classes are hands-on and engaging, focusing on exploring theology, values, and serving the community. Students learn through regular service projects, participating in school Masses and prayer services, and supporting peers. Families from other faiths are always invited to share their traditions in class. We learn about and commemorate days important to the faith traditions of our school community, such as Diwali, Hanukkah, Ramadan, and Passover. Our program is designed to foster understanding, respect, empathy, and active engagement, no matter a student’s faith background.

  • Is my child required to take religion classes? 

    Yes. Every student at Lacordaire participates in religion classes. Students explore values, ethics, and service, and learn to engage thoughtfully with different perspectives. 

Contact

155 Lorraine Ave. Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
(973)-744-1156
info@lacordaire.net

Our Mission

Empowering students to become confident decision makers and responsible leaders in a community of belonging, rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition
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