Mission & Catholic Identity

St. Rita of Cascia High School is a Catholic college preparatory school for young men, rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the tradition of St. Augustine, following the Augustinian philosophy of education.

St. Rita aims to form each student as a whole person: spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically, and socially, and to provide its young men with the necessary skills to succeed in college and in life, leading to life-long learning and personal awareness.

Through the Augustinian core values of Veritas (Truth), Unitas (Unity), and Caritas (Love), St. Rita strives to develop a bond between the members of the entire family: Augustinians, faculty, staff, students, parents, and alumni.

In the spirit of our Father, St. Augustine, we will be of one mind and one heart on our way to God.

Theology

St. Rita requires eight semesters of theology in accordance with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ plan. Working with the Theology Department, the Office of Student Life & Ministry ensures that the Augustinian philosophy and charism informs every course in the theology curriculum.

Campus Ministry

St. Rita welcomes students of all faiths. Campus Ministry nourishes the development of Catholic religious faith and practice, and promotes liturgical life on campus through daily communal prayer, weekly St. Rita novenas, all-school Masses and reconciliation services. Our students minister as lectors, altar servers, choir members, liturgical musicians and Extraordinary Ministers of Communion. Each class participates in an annual retreat, and seniors take part in the four-day Kairos retreat experience. We offer peer ministry programs and support the dedicated and faith-filled Knights of Augustine service fraternity.

Those who desire to receive the sacraments of initiation into the Catholic faith – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation – have the opportunity to do so with their peers in an age-appropriate program at the school.

Service

St. Rita offers numerous Christian service opportunities to assist students in discovering ways to serve the underprivileged locally and around the world. These experiences are formed by Catholic social thought and tradition, and St. Augustine’s call to grow in love of God and neighbor as a community of learners. The school assists students in living their faith, appreciating diversity and engaging in social justice. Ritamen commit themselves to Christian service during the school year and service trips are offered for interested students.

Our weekly mission collections raise more than $8,000 annually for Augustinian Missions in Peru and local causes.

Augustinians Serving at St. Rita High School

Pictured left to right:

  • Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A. ‘83 (Director of Community Relations)

  • Fr. Jack Tierney, O.S.A. (Director of Augustinian Mission & School Chaplain)

  • Bro. Joe Ruiz, O.S.A. (HON) Alum (Theology Teacher & School Chaplain)

  • Deacon John Donahue, J.D., ED.D. (President)

  • Bro. Paul Koscielniak, O.S.A. (Augustinian in Residence)

  • Bro. Jerome Sysko, O.S.A. (Augustinian in Residence)

  • Fr. Bernard Danber, O.S.A. ’68 (Alumni Relations & Athletic Chaplain)