Catholic Identity


Celebrating our Faith

Holy Family is proud and privileged to be a Catholic school. We take the daily practice of our faith very seriously and strive to serve the Lord with joyful hearts.  Some of the many ways we celebrate our faith include:

  • Morning opening prayer
  • Daily religion class
  • Classroom prayer & prayer before meals
  • Faith based retreats
  • Catholic Schools Week celebrations
  • Celebrations of Liturgical seasons
  • Weekly Mass, with student organizers and readers
  • Reconciliation services
  • Daily integration of faith and academics
  • HFCS school pledge
  • Daily afternoon prayer
  • Monthly Rosary

Holy Family Catholic School is accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA).  A significant element of the WCEA expectations is the foundational Catholic identity of the schools it accredits.  The Catholic Identity standards below are integral to our identity as a Catholic School.

Catholic Identity Standards - WCEA

The school has a mission statement and philosophy statement which indicate the integration of the Roman Catholic Faith into all aspects of school life.

The school provides regular opportunities for the school community to experience prayer and the Sacraments.

The school has a Religion curriculum and instruction that is faithful to the Roman Catholic Church teachings and meets the requirements set forth by the USCCB.

The Local Ordinary approves those who teach the Catholic Faith (Canon 805), and there is ongoing formation for catechetical and instructional competence.

The school maintains an active partnership with parents whose fundamental concern is the spiritual and academic education of their children. (Canon 796)

The school has a service-oriented outreach to the Church and the civic community after the example of Jesus Christ who said, “I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.” (John 13:15)

The school uses signs, sacramentals, traditions, and rituals of the Roman Catholic Church.

All school personnel are actively engaged in bringing the Good News of Jesus into the total educational experience.

What if I’m not Catholic?

HFCS welcomes all families, regardless of faith denomination, who are seeking a high quality, faith based, academically excellent educational placement.  During Mass, we welcome non-Catholic students and guests to come up to the minister at Communion and receive a blessing. Click here for more FAQs.

If you are interested in becoming Catholic, there are many opportunities to explore the Catholic faith!  All three of our affiliate parish communities offer yearly classes in Catholicism called RCIA (for adults) and RCIC (for children).  See Parish Partners below for more information.

Catholic Resources

As Catholics, we are constantly striving to enhance our family lives and to teach the essence of Catholic devotional traditions. We have assembled the following Catholic links for your convenience as a practical and handy resource.

New to the Area? Interested in Finding a Church?

North Idaho is blessed to have vibrant Catholic communities.  There are three parish communities affiliated with Holy Family Catholic School.  Click to learn more about St. George’s Catholic Church community in Post Falls (which includes St. Stanislaus in Rathdrum and St. Joseph’s in Spirit Lake), Pope St. Pius X Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene, and St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene.

Faith & Service

As a Catholic school, HFCS hopes to see our students grow in faith and love of God. We believe that Christ is the center of every Christian community. Students are given religious instruction, service opportunities, prayer, and worship experiences.

Parish Partners

Our three affiliated parish communities work in partnership with HFCS to fulfill our mission promoting excellence in education, both spiritually and academically, for the whole person.