Forming Servant Leaders in Faith through a Catholic High School Leadership Program
“Being able to take this class has taught me so much invaluable information that I might have never learned anywhere else. The class focused deeply on the Ignatian model of leadership, named after Saint Ignatius of Loyola and his order of Ignatian monks. Being a leader according to the Ignatians is an introspective journey, one where we look inside ourselves.”
Bishop Miege is committed to offering students a dynamic curriculum that grows alongside their interests, talents, and calling. As the world changes, so do the opportunities we provide — ensuring students are challenged academically, formed spiritually, and prepared to lead with purpose.
One example of this commitment is our Catholic high school leadership program, which started this semester. Students were invited to take part in Campus Ministry Leadership, a class rooted in reflection, service, and faith. Below, one student shares how this experience shaped his understanding of leadership, self-awareness, and what it means to serve others.
By: Cody Israel, Class of 2026
Throughout my high school years, I have begun to pay attention and listen to what God wanted from me. I started to see God working in my life slowly but surely through various different people and opportunities that presented themselves in my life. One of the biggest opportunities has been the option to join a new class this year called Campus Ministry Leadership, led by Mr. Bill Creach.
Learning leadership through reflection and faith
Being able to take this class has taught me so much invaluable information that I might have never learned anywhere else. The class focused deeply on the Ignatian model of leadership, named after Saint Ignatius of Loyola and his order of Ignatians. Being a leader according to the Ignatians is an introspective journey, one where we look inside ourselves. We have to know our weaknesses and strengths in order to be a good leader. Simply saying that we don’t have weaknesses would honestly be lying to ourselves, and the same goes with saying that we don’t have strengths.
The biggest lesson I’ve taken away: First look at self, then regard others. We must look at our flaws inside of ourselves before we can properly begin to help others. Being flawed is okay, but we have to acknowledge those flaws to be able to move past them, as ignoring them can make things worse.
Senior Cody Israel puts into practice the lessons he learned this semester in the new Campus Ministry Leadership class by leading a small group on a Kairos retreat.
A Catholic high school leadership program in action
Another thing I learned is that being a Christian leader has six aspects to it. Competence, or being good at what they do. Compassion, being understanding, forgiving and kind to others. Conscience, being thoughtful, intentional and ethical with our actions. Character, being someone of integrity and good morals. Companions, being a person for and with others. And Faith, trusting in God on relying on him to help in times of need.
Those last two, Companions and Faith, are especially necessary. Being able to be a person for and with others means to shift our focus to notice and care for others around us, such as stopping and simply being with those people who might be suffering and just be there for them. That’s the important part, being there, not going straight to trying to help them and come up with solutions, but just being there for them, being a shoulder that they can lean on.
Faith becomes important as well. We are all called to be faithful and God plays a major role in being there to help.
Faith-based leadership education rooted in service
A Chistian leader should embrace Jesus’s example and embody his mission on Earth, through servant leadership. Being a servant leader means to put the well-being of those we are leading above our own, prioritizing their needs. While these may be the most important, all of these characteristics are part of being a Christian Leader.