Pastoral Care

The chaplains and other adjunct members of the chapel program are trained to help students and adults in the community with a variety of spiritual and personal issues. Pastoral care is a term indicating the range of services the chaplains are here to provide students and families, from informal counseling to the marking of important life–cycle events.

Advising and Student Assistance

As part of the Health Committee, the head chaplain meets with other professionals and administrators to give heed to and advice about a range of issues affecting student life and wellbeing at the school. Formally trained school counselors are on staff to give professional advice and the chaplains are also trained to assist in helping students come to understand a variety of life issues such as change, loss, grief, uncertainty, being away from home, and other issues encountered by adolescents, in many cases for the first time during their years at St. Mark’s.

Baptism and Confirmation

Students who are considering making a faith commitment, as is customary in many traditions during adolescence, are invited to use the chaplaincy as a supporting guide in this aspect of their personal journey. Preparation classes in the Episcopal Church are offered annually on campus, and students of other faith traditions may either meet on campus under the direction of an adult leader in that tradition or transportation can be arranged for this to occur, as classes are offered in local churches and houses of worship. Parents are encouraged to notify the Chaplain’s Office of possible interest although the decision to proceed or not remains to each student. The Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts customarily visits the school annually on or near St. Mark’s Day, April 25, and presides at a school service of the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. Students in other traditions may need to coordinate between local houses of worship and their home congregations in order to find the best means and dates for similar rites of passage. Further inquiry is welcome and can be handled through the Chaplain’s Office.

Weddings

Weddings are customarily reserved to immediate members of the school community and alumni/ae and are not normally conducted while school is in session. A small pamphlet explaining use of Belmont Chapel, fees for services, and other details may be obtained by contacting the Chaplain’s Office.

Memorials and Funerals

Memorials and funerals, though rare, are important to the life of a community. While such services are offered immediate members of the school community, members of the alumni/ae body may find it important to mark such transitions during Alumni/ae Weekend or at another time as arranged through the Head of School’s and Chaplain’s offices.

The Chaplain’s Office is able to provide copies of the School Prayer and Hymn to those requesting them.