St. Robert C.H.S. Community and Christian Service

What is the difference between Community Service and Christian Service? COMMUNITY SERVICE Community service is a government requirement for high school graduation. A minimum of forty hours must be completed before the end of grade twelve. Students may complete these hours at any time. For example, the forty hours may be completed in grade nine or a few hours may be done every year. The completion of the hours involves the student, his/her parents or guardians and a supervisor. CHRISTIAN SERVICE Christian service is a requirement of the Religious Education Department. Three to four hours of direct participation in an activity related to the Corporal Works of Mercy must be completed each year, even if the forty hours of community service have been completed. The completion of Christian Service is a reflection of Religion course curriculum. Students will need to do relevant Christian Service each year in order to complete the Religion course Culminating Performance Task (CPT).

What is the difference between Community Service and Christian Service? (Cont’d) Service forms (in the Student Agenda) may be completed and submitted to the Vice-Principals’ office before the end of grade twelve. It is the sole responsibility of the student and the parents/guardians to submit the completed forms. Community service hours are monitored and recorded by the school administration. All Christian service hours may be included toward the completion of the forty hour graduation requirement. Christian service is more than a community service volunteer activity. Christian service fulfills the sacrament of Baptism. Christian service responds to the Holy Spirit and His call for human fulfillment and perfection. Christian service responds to Jesus’ teaching about the love of neighbour.

What are the Corporal Works of Mercy? In Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 25, Jesus says: 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me." 37 Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?" 40 And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."

The Catholic Church Identifies the Corporal Works of Mercy 1. Feed the hungry. 2. Give drink to the thirsty. 3. Clothe the naked. 4. Shelter the homeless. 5. Comfort the imprisoned. 6. Visit the sick. 7. Bury the dead.

Feed the Hungry

Give Drink to the Thirsty

Clothe the Naked

Shelter the Homeless

Comfort the Imprisoned

Visit the Sick

Bury the Dead