Christian Service

Each student is required to spend a determined minimum number of hours per quarter or trimester in some form of service to the school, parish and community, as approved by the instructor.

8th grade = 8 hrs per trimester

Juniors = 8 hrs per quarter

The Process:  Service sheets should be obtained by students prior to service.  These sheets can be found in their classroom, the office or the library.  They are to be filled out and approved by a member of the Religion Department.  These sheets are to be returned within a week of the service performed with a signature from some authority (preferably an adult) connected with the service.  This service is then noted in their permanent class record.  At the end of each quarter or trimester, students will be graded on their involvement in service.

Considerations:  Students involved in extra-curricular activities in which they receive a letter are not eligible for service hours for their involvement.  Family chores are a normal part of being in a family and are not acceptable for service.  Exceptions can be made for service to family that goes beyond regular chores, but need to be okayed by the instructor.  A limit of two total hours in any given grading period for family type service.

All of the service may not be done in one place at one time.  A minimum of two is required.

A percentage of pre-school (Summer) hours will be accepted with proper documentation.

Some form of service must be given during each quarter (minimum 2 hours) - although some service will carry over into another grading period.

At the end of each grading period the students will write a short reflection describing how this project helped them, others and God.

Service options include, but are not limited to, such things as helping at a bazaar, assisting with St. Mary's Family Ed or Sacred Heart's CCD, altar server, cantor, lector, greeter etc. in your parish.  Raking leaves or shoveling snow for someone in need - maybe an elderly neighbor - done without payment (unless they offer you cookies and milk!).  Volunteer at the hospital or one of the nursing homes, the Humane Society, SPURS, Boys & Girls Club, Adjustment Training Center, Special Olympics or some other service organization.  The list goes on and on!  You also set up and organize a class project, which would result in extra points for the person setting it up.