Children in the fourth grade or higher can act as Altar Servers. Training and scheduling is provided by Saint Mark the Evangelist staff. Altar servers perform most of the functions of the former minor order of ordained clerics known as acolytes from the Greek word akolouthos (attendant). Church writings from the second and third centuries discuss the role of acolytes, giving the office great importance and honor in the history of the Church. Although institution into the ministry of acolyte is reserved to lay men, the diocesan bishop may permit the liturgical functions of the instituted acolyte to be carried out by altar servers, men and women, boys and girls. Altar servers are not ordained, they are commissioned by their parish priest.

The primary role of the altar server is to assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy during Mass. This is done through specific actions and by setting an example to the congregation by active participation in the liturgy by their actions, singing of hymns, responses of the people, looking alert and sitting or standing at the appropriate times. 
Servers carry the cross, the processional candle(s), hold the book for the priest celebrant when he is not at the altar, carry the incense and censer, present the bread, wine, and water to the priest or deacon during the preparation of the gifts or assist him when he receives the gifts from the people, wash the hands of the priest, assist the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary. 

Altar servers are chosen from among the faithful who display a desire to participate in an intimate way during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is an extreme privilege to kneel so close to the altar as our loving Savior, Jesus Christ, becomes truly present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity upon the altar. 

A server is uniquely joined in the Heavenly Supper of the Lamb of God and serves in the company of myriads of angles eternally singing "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" 

For more information, please contact Deacon Ralph Bachner.

Art Club presents an opportunity for middle school students to complete teacher directed activities and/or an independent study where they can design a project that they would like to work on independently. Art Club students also help to organize, set-up, and run our annual Art Show. The Art Show showcases work from all students in Preschool - 8th Grade. Students' artwork is awarded recognition and student created projects can be purchased to support Saint Kilian Catholic School art program. 

Band allows students in Grades 4 - 8 to express themselves in a creative manner through music via woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Students learn through a variety of music genres and participate in performances throughout the school year.

CHESS CLUB
There are 2 Chess Club sessions during the school year (Fall and Spring). Meetings take place on Friday mornings from 7:25 -8:10 AM. 
 
Chess club offers students in Grades 2 - 8 the opportunity to learn how to play, develop current skills and advance their experience through matches against other students and supervision by parent volunteers.

Session Information
The club is broken into 3 groups: Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced. Levels may fluctuate depending on the student's ability to master skills and participate. Leaders who have been identified with strong chess capabilities will be available to all groups during the session providing skill-building strategies. 

• Beginners - all students new to chess or in the early stages of learning the game.  Leaders will consistently monitor games that the beginners play and provide lessons that will focus on terminology and offensive and defensive moves.  Volunteers will assist, supervise and encourage the beginners to ensure they understand the game and learn basic tactics.
• Intermediate – all students who are comfortable playing chess games, understand the rules and are developing their skills.  Leaders will work on strategy and improving their skills throughout the entire game. Volunteers will supervise play and encourage students to ask questions and challenge themselves every week.
• Advanced – all students who have the skill level and competence to compete in tournament play.  Leaders will teach tournament strategies and skills.  All games will be played according to tournament rules.  Volunteers encourage the students to display tournament-style play.

Enrollment
Enrollment takes place at the beginning of each session.

Tournaments
In addition to our Friday meetings, we encourage the students to participate in chess tournaments. Tournaments are held in the Pittsburgh and surrounding area.  Information on these tournaments will be distributed to the club. 

Volunteers
Parents who are able and have their clearances are needed as volunteers. No knowledge of chess is needed to be a volunteer. Eighth graders who know how to play chess are also invited to volunteer for serivce hours. 

Chess Club Contacts
If you need further information please contact Patrick Mondi, Courtney Leone, and Renee Nguyen. 
 

What it is: 

Forensics provides public speaking opportunities, which is a very valuable skill.  Students compete in one of five categories: Declamation, Drama, Poetry, Prose and Impromptu. Competitions are against other Diocesan schools.  Students select a reading that they will compete with for the entire year.  They are scored individually at competitions in timing, verbal skills, mood and voice, pause and pace, non-verbal communication skills, poise and general effectiveness.  This score is then used to determine the team score. 

Who participates:   

5th grade through 8th grade students who are genuinely interested in public speaking and willing to dedicate time to preparation for Forensics tournaments, including practice at home / outside of school. 

Category Descriptions: 

National History Day Club is available to middle school students who have an interest in history. The club prepares students for National History Day, a national competition. Club meetings are held November through April on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday after school until 4:15. Club meetings are optional and serve as informational work sessions to prepare students for regional, state, and national competition. To compete in National History Day, students choose a historical topic related to the annual theme, and then conduct primary and secondary research. Research is presented as an individual or group (up to 5 students) entry. Students may choose to present their topic as an exhibit, documentary, historical paper, website, or performance that meet National History Day guidelines. Saint Kilian School participates in the Junior Division open to middle school grades 6 – 8. Parents/guardians are responsible for transporting their child to competition. 

Students in grades 4 through 8 have the opportunity to develop singing, acting, and ensemble performance skills through practicing and the performance of an annual school musical. Students experience a full production including costumes, sets, props, hair, and make-up. Our musicals are performed at a local auditorium on a full stage. Past musicals have included junior productions of Alice in Wonderland, Aladdin, High School Musical, Beauty and the Beast, Shrek, Madgascar, Mary Poppins, Little Mermaid, Annie, and The Wizard of Oz. Our 2023-2024 production will be Frozen Jr.   



Students in grade 6 through 8 can also join the production behind the scenes in Stage Crew. Stage crew students work throughout the year on the creation of sets, backdrops, and props. During the show students run the lights, curtains, and sound board. Stage crew members also work with the cast on set and prop set-up during each performance. 

Photography Club

The Saint Kilian Catholic School Photography Club is a group of 8th grade students who are responsible for capturing the memories of our school year. At the beginning of the school year, all interested 8th grade students have the opportunity to apply to participate in the club. The application process includes a brief essay explaining interest in the club, as well as the construction of a photography portfolio. Upon acceptance into the club, students will learn how to utilize a single-lens reflex camera. Photography Club meets periodically throughout the school year for workshops that allow them to learn advanced camera skills. Students will take photos during special school occasions such as holiday parties, pep rallies, assemblies, and sporting events to use for the school’s yearbook.

Yearbook Club

The Saint Kilian Catholic School Yearbook Club gives 8th grade students the opportunity to participate in the construction of the school yearbook. The yearbook showcases our yearly memories at Saint Kilian. Yearbook Club is responsible for selecting photos that best represent our values at Saint Kilian Catholic School, while ensuring that students Pre-K through 8th grade have an artifact that illustrates their year. Students will manage pages, communicate with other yearbook staff members, select yearbook themes and designs, and utilize writing and journalism skills.

The Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair (PRSEF) gives 7^th and 8^th grade students the freedom to perform their own scientific investigations into topics that interest them. While research is completed individually, students work with the club's mentors each step of the way to plan, implement, and report on their experiments. By participating in after school club meetings, they can check in with other participants to encourage and enrich each other's projects. Students will then travel to the Carnegie Science Center to present their results to expert judges for prizes and awards. Please click here for more information about PRSEF.

The Grades 4 - 6 Spelling Bee is an annual Diocesan event that features the winner of our SKCS Spelling Bee in Grades 4 - 6. SKCS students first compete at the class level. Winners at the classroom level move on to our SKCS Spelling Bee. The school winner moves on to the annual Diocesanevent and competes against other students from other Catholic Schools in the area in a series of competitions before advancing to the finals for the title. 

Student Council is a student run organization that plans school-wide service, spirit, and fundraising events. Student Council Leadership is determined by an annual election after the campaigning period has ended. Students may also choose to be an Officer, Homeroom Representative or Committee Member. Student Council is open to our Middle School students.

Student Council Sponsored Events: 

• Saint Kilian Cupboard Food Drives
• Chimbote Fundraiser
• Middle School Dances
• Catholic Schools Week Spirit Days

Friends of Rachel is a student organization that strives to create a positive culture in our school. The main goal of FOR Club is to inspire compassion and hope schoolwide. The club empowers students and staff to create an environment marked by kindness.