​​​​3.5 CHRISTIAN SERVICE PROGRAM

"The experience of Christian community leads naturally to service" (To Teach as Jesus Did: A Pastoral Message on Catholic Education, 28).

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.

JUNIOR HIGH “FAITH IN ACTION” CHRISTIAN SERVICE PROGRAM

All junior high students will be required to complete hours of Community Service. The service hours are mandatory and counted as part of their religion grade.  All service hours need to be completed by the end of the school year. The hours are to be divided up between community and school. Paid services or household chores do not count for service.  Students must complete their Service Hour Reflection Log in order for their hours to count.  The following hours are required for Grades 6-8:

Sixth Grade: 10 hours

Seventh Grade: 15 hours

Eighth Grade: 20 hours

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