The following information is provided to guide you in completing your service hours for the upcoming school year. There are some changes from past years that you will want to note. Please mark the due dates on your calendar.
What are the service hour requirements?
All students must submit no fewer than twenty (20) documented service hours to their Theology teacher in January, 2013. Verification forms will be due at the end of the first semester for students who have Theology first semester, or the beginning of the second semester for students who have Theology second semester. Students who complete more than the required 20 hours of service may continue to turn in additional service hours through May 1st for recognition at the Honors Assembly. Incomplete forms will not be accepted and will be treated as though the forms were not turned in on time.
Each student’s parent/guardian must sign the service hour sheet to verify that the information is valid. In addition, students will be required to include the signature of the supervisor at the service site. Any false information or forged signatures will prompt disciplinary action. If a student does not complete the required hours and verification sheet for service hours by the due date, she will immediately become ineligible until service hour documentation has been submitted. Service hours are required to advance to the next grade level and to graduate from Saint Joseph Academy.
Click here to Download a Service Hour documentation form
What are Christian service hours?
Christian service is when you voluntarily give of your time and energy to go above and beyond what is expected of you as a daughter, sister, or neighbor and go out of your way to participate in one of the Corporal Works of Mercy, which consist of doing something to aid, support, and/or assist individuals, groups or causes out of compassion and love of neighbor.
What constitutes this service?
Christian service must go beyond the scope of what is expected of a responsible young student and daughter. Routine chores and babysitting are NOT service hours. You need to reach out to the neighbor, stranger, or needy individual, group, or cause and assist in a way that demonstrates living out one or more of the values demonstrated by Christ in the Gospels (for some ideas, you can read Matthew 25).
Service hours are a rewarding way to truly experience what Jesus speaks of when he says, "It is in giving that we receive.” A life of service is a choice we hope all students at Saint Joseph Academy will realize through their high school service hour experience. Students who complete an exceptional number of service hours will be recognized at the Awards Assembly at the end of the school year.
- Corporal Works of Mercy that Reflect Gospel Values
- Feeding the Hungry
- Giving Drink to the Thirsty
- Clothing the Naked
- Visiting the Sick
- Visiting the Imprisoned
- Sheltering the Homeless
- Burying the Dead
For a list of service hour opportunities Click here Catholic Social Teaching that Reflects Gospel Values
Examples of service that could be performed:
1. The value of life and dignity of the human person
Services: Respect Life programs, donate blood outside of the school day
2. The call to family, community, and participation
Services: Assist with parish liturgies as a musician or server, become a retreat team leader for a youth group or parish group
3. The rights and responsibilities of every person
Services: Participate in Youth Challenge, volunteer at Camp Cheerful, participate in peaceful protests
4. The preferential option for the poor and vulnerable
Services: Volunteer at a food bank, tutor underprivileged students, participate in the Arrupe program
5. The dignity of work and rights of workers
Services: Organize an event to raise awareness to lack of rights for people in the world, help with the Saint Joseph Academy phone-a-thon
6. Love of neighbor and solidarity with all
Services: Participate or work a benefit walk or run, help with a Sunday school program, volunteer at a local hospital
7. Care for God's creation
Services: participate in a clean-up campaign, help an elderly person with yard clean-up, assist with a recycling program
The following does NOT constitute acceptable Service Hours for the 2012 – 2013 school year:
- Babysitting
- Working a school-sponsored retreat
- Participating in required Ambassador activities
- Participating in service opportunities that are required as members of a group (Key Club, NHS, ECOS)
- Routine chores for family members
- Helping parents at work
- Being a hall runner during academic blocks
If anyone has any questions about service hours throughout the year or wants to publicize a service hour opportunity, please contact your theology instructor or call the CORE Ministry office (216) 251-6788 ext. 236.
Sursum Corda,
The CORE Ministry Team
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