"The experience of Christian community leads naturally to service" (To Teach as Jesus Did: A Pastoral Message on Catholic Education, 28).
A Christian service program is required in all high schools. See the School Policy on Christian Service (sample). Each high school student is required to perform a minimum of 80 hours of service spread out over four years. A component of theological reflection on service is required of all students.
Through the Christian service program, students at all class levels give service beyond the school setting in ways that further their faith, engender hope, and witness love. Christian service programs should foster an understanding of the essential connection between the Eucharist and Christian service.
Catholic educators work to form young people who will lead happy and meaningful Christian lives of faith and service. Catholic schools provide students with the tools—intellectual growth, doctrine, piety, an understanding of the roots of societal problems, and the practice of the virtues—to become productive and transformative members of society.
A eucharistic spirituality that propels students into Christian service will help them not only to meet any crisis of values and meaning in their lives but also to be transformative agents in the world. The Eucharist is lived daily as the faithful take Christ to others.
Religious formation and Christian service programs should inspire young people to have a vision of their mission in society and the Church. These programs should inspire young people to aspire to fulfill the vocation and mission to which God calls them. It is not good enough for them to think that they will just try to be good. Christ asks them to be the salt and light of the earth. Religious formation and Christian service programs should transmit this vision to them.
