Jesus calls us to action in service of one another, “Let us not love in word and in talk but in deed and in truth” (John 3:18). Service to others is a main component of our faith and part of the mission of Saint Patrick Catholic School (SPCS). Middle school students at SPCS are required to perform 5 hours per semester (10 hours a year) of community service as part of the religion curriculum. 

Service Requirement

• Perform five (5) hours of community service during each semester and maintain the included log. Service may include deeds at or for SPCS. Two good places to start when considering what to do are the Corporal Works of Mercy and the Catholic Social Teaching.
• Write a three-paragraph reflection paper each semester describing the service experience. Reflection papers will be applied to religion grades. 

Service Explained

Service should be sacrificial in nature. Typically, this requires a sacrifice of time, but it also implies that the act is not something you would normally do or be expected to do. 

• Service can be both inside and outside of school. 
• Service is an act in which you don’t get paid for your work or time.
• Classroom projects are important but do not count towards the service requirement (i.e. class service field trips, St. Leo’s Food collection during school hours, L’Arche service during the school day with your class) 
• Service must benefit the community at large. A “good deed” for one’s family or relatives, an individual, or couple does not constitute “community service” for this requirement.
• Some examples of appropriate service opportunities include: Top Soccer at Bellarmine Preparatory High School, feeding the homeless with Keep ‘em Warm and Fed (KEWF), working at L’Arche Farm and Gardens outside of school hours, altar serving at Sunday  Masses, delivering gifts and singing at the nursing home. 
• Some examples that would NOT benefit the community at large include: household chores, babysitting, helping your relatives move. 
• Participation in the school choir with Mrs. Lewis does count towards service hours (before school rehearsals, performances in the greater community).
• You, along with your parents, are responsible for finding your own community service opportunities.
• Service opportunities that may be available to the greater community can be shared and attended in groups with parents coordinating with the agency.

Service hours need to be completed during each semester. Extra hours may not roll over to the next semester.