Committed to the Faith Formation of the whole person, we believe that it is our unique mission to guide young people in developing a Christian social conscience and a commitment to a life of justice and peace. Participation in the combination of our educational and service/action programs will enable our students to accomplish this goal.
Faith Formation does not stop at the threshold of the classroom door. Rather, the Gospel calls us to the values of compassion and service to those in need. In order to reinforce this value, each student is required to perform Christian service annually; the hour requirement varies by grade level and is listed below. Service opportunities are plentiful in the greater Jacksonville area.
For the 2022-2023 school year:
3 hours for all middle school students
For the 2023-2024 school year:
6th: 10 hours
7th: 15 hours
8th: 20 hours
Service Learning Reflection Essay:
Students will be expected to complete a Service Learning Reflection Essay assigned by their Religion teacher, on the impact their service experience had on them and on the community/individuals they helped. Students will utilize the teachings of the Religion course curriculum to reflect on their service.
The religion teacher monitors their students' progress toward the annual requirement.
Christian Service: General Principles and Guidelines
1. When seeking service opportunities, students are encouraged to first begin with their own parish or Church community. Additionally, students may earn service hours at non-profit (501 C-3) organizations or agencies whose mission and values do not contradict Catholic social values.
2. Projects or activities that do not meet the listed criteria, either in whole or in part, should not be assumed to fulfill the school requirement.
3. Providing ordinary assistance to a teacher when asked during the school day or attending club meetings are encouraged but will not be considered a fulfillment of the service requirement.
4. Assisting family members with obligations and chores such as mowing the lawn, doing the dishes, cleaning the garage, painting the house, and babysitting are praiseworthy activities but do not fulfill the Christian Service requirement.
5. Any service provided for a family owned and operated business is indeed praiseworthy but does NOT meet the criteria for Christian Service.
6. Students who participate in mission trips or other service trips may include only their working hours, not to exceed eight hours per day. Time spent traveling, eating, sleeping, etc. is not to be recorded.
7. Students may not earn Christian Service hours for a project for which they are paid, receive tips, or for which they are raising money for another function, trip, or event.
8. When in doubt about the suitability of a service opportunity, and in order to prevent unnecessary misinterpretations or frustrations, students are encouraged to FIRST review the Pre-Approved Service Opportunity List provided below.
Pre-Approved Service Opportunities List
Listed below are examples of pre-approved service opportunities. Projects or activities that do not meet the listed criteria, either in whole or in part, should not be assumed to fulfill the school requirement. If the intended service is not listed below, a student MUST check first with the religion teacher. If further clarification is needed, resolution may be sought by contacting the Director of Campus Ministry or his delegate. Christian Service should be completed either through the parish, a registered charity, or a non-profit organization.
Service to CHURCH:
• Vacation Bible School (this is a great way to earn a large amount of hours over the summer)
• Classroom Aid/Assistant for Parish School of Religion
• Direct service to parish (i.e. altar serving during non-school hours)
• Eucharistic Congress
Service to SCHOOL:
• Volunteer tutoring for the school
• Volunteering for a school affiliated after school day care program
• Working behind the scenes for a school program/function/athletic event that is not part of a class
• Assisting with official school functions
Service to COMMUNITY:
• Soup kitchen
• Local public library
• Collecting/sorting items as needed (i.e. Angel Closet)
• Food pantry/clothing closet
• Hospital/Nursing Home/Assisted Living volunteer
• Beach/Road/Park clean-up (i.e. Beaches Go Green)
• Special Olympics
• Summer mission trip (only working hours)
Sample Ideas for Christian Service Hours: