Saint Joseph High School Christian Service Program Student Agreement Service is a vital component of our Christian faith. As Disciples of Christ, we are called to build the kingdom of God on earth. In response to this mission, Saint Joseph High School requires students to participate in the Christian Service Program by performing service learning projects. By serving the dear neighbor, without distinction, they learn that service is the best use of their God-given gifts. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.... liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free..." (Lk 4:18). Christian Service Software x2vol All service projects and service hours are recorded and approved through the school s Christian Service software, x2vol, https://www.x2vol.com/index.html. There is also an x2vol App for the iphone for the iphone and Android. The deadlines for completing and logging service hours are as follows: 1. Students must enter summer and first semester service hours into x2vol by December 18, 2017; Summer and first semester hours entered after January 12 will not be approved.) 2. Second semester hours must be entered into x2vol no later than May 4, 2018; second semester hours entered after May 4 will not be approved. 3. Above and Beyond service hours must be entered no later than May 25, 2018. A list of suggested organizations where students can volunteer is available in x2vol. A student may suggest other organizations not listed, but such opportunities must align with the Christian service goals and be approved by the Coordinator of Christian Service or Director of Campus Ministry in order for the hours to apply towards the student s religion requirement. SJHS Christian Service Program Requirements The student is required to complete one Christian service project per semester, except during her senior year, when a service project is not required during her 2 nd semester. Each project must address a Catholic social teaching, as outlined in the curriculum section. The student must obtain her religion teacher s approval for each project. The student must work minimum of 15 service hours on each project. If a student works additional service hours on a project, these hours will count toward the student s total number of service hours, but not towards another service project. The following documentation is required for each service project: Completed Christian Service Project Contract (Attachment 1) o Signed by the student and her service agency supervisor o Reviewed, approved, and signed by her religion teacher before the project begins Completed Service Hour Record after the project is complete (x2vol) o Signed by the student, service supervisor and parent/guardian Reflection essay addressing the Catholic Social Teaching selected for the service project 1
Religion class presentation Religion classes attend faith formation mass twice a semester. Christian service fosters an understanding of the essential connection between the Eucharist (mass) and Christian service. Christian Service Project will be worth 15% of the student s semester religion grade. Religion Department Christian Service Curriculum 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. Religion classes will include instruction on Christian Service through the DOCAT. Religion classes for 9th - 12th grade will also use the Pastoral Circle as the methodology for 21st century learning through Catholic Social Teachings. Catholic social teachings and Gospel values, which are the focus of the service projects, are assigned to the grades as follows: Class Level Catholic Social Teaching Catholic Social Teaching Gospel Value Freshman The Call to Family, Care for God s Creation Faith Community, and Participation Sophomore Human Life and Dignity The Option for the Poor and Hope Vulnerable Junior Rights and Responsibilities The Dignity of Work and the Justice Rights of Workers Solidarity Senior Peacemaking Reconciliation Service Project Guidelines The student may work individually on a service project or in a group. Her project must be sponsored by a school, parish or charitable (non-profit) organization except where specified below: A. Acceptable Service Projects/Activities: 1. Aid to the elderly, ill or disabled in a hospital, senior center or nursing home (Also acceptable in a for- profit institution) 2. Tutoring program 3. Playground supervision in a non-profit school 4. Childcare (when provided for working or ill parents/guardians who cannot afford paid child care) (Check with teacher) 5. Coaching (when done in athletic situations open to the general public or for a non-profit organization) 6. Library work 7. Community cleanup 8. Religious education leadership 9. Assistance to one s church (altar serving, ushering, choir, involvement, etc.) 10. Food, clothing, and gift distribution to the needy 11. Fundraising for charity 12. Youth ministry leadership 13. Disaster relief 14. Donating items to a charity (Maximum: 1 service project of the 7 required projects) 15. Camp counseling for youth (for a non-profit organization) 16. Animal shelter work 17. Aid to orphanages or Native American reservations 18. Building homes for the needy (Habitat for Humanity, Corazon, Amor Ministries, etc.) 19. Community service done for scouting to help another scout advance in rank 20. Approved service to Saint Joseph High School (peer helping, retreat leadership) (Maximum: 2 service projects of the 7 required projects) 21. Teaching assistance in elementary schools working directly with the children 22. Volunteer work for candidates running for public office 23. Volunteering or fundraising for human rights groups 2
B. Unacceptable Service Projects/Activities: 1. Teaching assistance for SJHS faculty and staff members 2. Work within a for-profit institution, except as noted above 3. Childcare within one s own family or for parents/guardians involved in luxurious pursuits 4. Elderly care within one s own family 5. Coaching, counseling, teaching assistance, childcare in private, for-profit institutions 6. Community service done for Scouting for one s own advancement in rank Catholic Social Teachings Reflection Essay After the Service Project is complete, the student must write a reflection essay addressing the selected Catholic social teaching. She must also present her results to her religion class. Each teacher will establish a schedule and expectations for the religion class. Below are the essay prompts for the Catholic Social Teachings essay. Community and the Common Good: (Freshmen) God exists in a relationship: Father, Son and Spirit are one God but three persons. Their relationship is love. As children of God, we are created to live in communion with God, each other and all of creation. From this truth stems one of Jesus greatest teachings: Love thy neighbor as you would love yourself. What would a community based on loving relationships look like? What changes would this require in the community you are part of? How does community require equality? How does your service bring about changes in your relationship with the community? Give examples of ways your service brings love into your community. What have you learned from your service about sacrificing for the common good? How has your service changed your views or your future choices? Care for God s Creation: (Freshmen) One way to see firsthand God s amazing love for us is to look around and appreciate the universe that He has created for us. This creation is a renewable resource meant to be shared by all peoples and then passed on to future generations. What is meant by the term creation? Who or what constitutes God s creation (i.e., plants, animals, people)? Why do some people feel entitled to more than their share of the resources? Why do some use up, rather than restore resources? How does your service care for God s creation? Why does the need for your service exist? What changes should be made so that the need for your service is reduced? How has your service changed your views or your future choices? Life and Dignity: (Sophomores) The Catholic Church holds the belief that every human being is a child of God. Human life is sacred and every person must be treated with respect. What does this principle mean and what are the implications to your life choices? How do these values show themselves in your choice of actions toward others? 3
How does your service reflect this principle? Provide examples of these actions in your service experience. What have you learned from your service about yourself and about the dignity of others? How has your service changed your views or your future choices? Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: (Sophomores) As Christians we have a special responsibility to stand with the poor as Jesus did and to care for the vulnerable in their time of need. An option means that they require special considerations that most of us do not need. How do we define poverty and vulnerability? Who deserves these special considerations? How did Jesus treat the poor? Identify the poor or vulnerable that your service work seeks to assist. What factors have put the poor or vulnerable in this position? How does your organization seek to right this injustice or serve their needs? Give examples of changes your group has helped to bring about. How has your service changed your views or your future choices? Rights and Responsibilities: (Juniors) The primary Christian belief that every human being is a child of God is the basis for understanding the kind of existence humans are meant to create. We are kingdom builders building the kingdom of God. As children of God, every person is born with certain inalienable rights like the right to life, the right to an education and the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of one s self and one s family. However, along with these rights also come certain responsibilities. As Christians we are called to action any time an injustice occurs because of violating human rights or neglecting responsibilities. Explain how your service addresses a violation of human rights. What factors have created this injustice? Give examples of your actions in support of another s rights. Explain how this organization is building God s Kingdom. How has your service changed your views or your future choices? Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers: (Juniors) Catholic social teaching tells us that work is one of the ways we express ourselves; it is a way we share in God s work of creation. Keeping this in mind, it is important to remember that all work has inherent dignity and therefore deserves respect, whether the job at hand is that of the President of the United States or that of your gardener. All workers deserve to be paid a fair wage and to be provided with humane working conditions. Do you think that in today s society this is something that always occurs? Why or why not? Give examples of inhumane conditions or unfair wages. How does your service address the dignity of work and the rights of workers? How did your service help to improve these conditions? How has your service changed your views or your future choices? Solidarity: (Juniors) God s love is not limited by barriers of race, nation, or geographic distance; likewise, our love of neighbor should not be limited to those who look and behave like us. Being in solidarity with others is to understand that an injustice that affects one group is an injustice that affects us all, no matter how far from home the problem is occurring. Remembering that we are all brothers and sisters in the family of Christ is what calls us to stand together and support one another. We are one family, the human family. How does your service put you in solidarity with the oppressed? What issue or problem is being faced and who does this problem directly affect? How are you affected by this problem and why are you concerned enough to take action? How is your service helping to alleviate this injustice? How has your service changed your views or your future choices? Peacemaking: (Seniors) Christians are called to be peacemakers out of respect for the dignity of each person as a child of God. The possible justifications for aggression are limited to such situations as immediate self-defense and the protection of the innocent. A common phrase that encourages peacemaking is, If you want peace, work for 4
justice. What does this statement mean? What are the various ways one can achieve peace by working for justice? How does your service create peace for those you served? 5
Graduation Year Christian Service Project Contract I,, commit to work hours at Student Name 15 hours minimum. The theme of my service during the semester Name of Agency Fall or Spring will be. Catholic Social Teaching I understand that I am to fulfill the following requirements: I will meet all deadlines in an appropriate manner. My Religion teacher must approve any changes to my Service Project. I am responsible for notifying the service agency of any absences. I will make arrangements with my supervisor to make up the missed time, if appropriate. I will attend all scheduled meetings related to my service project. In the event of unavoidable conflicts, I will notify the program supervisor to set up an alternative time to meet with him/her. I will be responsible for having all required forms, reports, and evaluations completed and submitted to my Religion teacher. Student Signature Service Agency Supervisor Signature Supervisor Contact Number and E-mail Teacher Signature 6
Grade: Block: Semester: Fall / Spring Service Hours Record Student Name: Catholic Social Teaching: Service Agency: Contact Information (Please print clearly) Name of Supervisor: Phone Number: Email: Date Hours Served Description of Service Supervisor Signature Total Hours: (15 hour minimum) Student Signature Parent Signature 7