Spiritual Life

Spiritual Life

In forming students through cura personalis, or care for the whole person, the Christian Service Program exposes students to living out the tenets of Catholic social teaching, rooted in the person of Christ, through service to and solidarity with others.

Behavior During Mass

As an important part of our school, attendance at mass is required and we expect our students to behave with appropriate solemnity, regardless of their personal beliefs. Students should not be on their phones during mass and are expected to leave them (and their backpacks) in advisory before attending. They should also be in full uniform.

Student Service Requirements

Students of Judge Memorial Catholic High School will complete at least 100 hours of service by the time they graduate. Students complete specific amounts and types of service depending on their grade level, and. have the opportunity to complete 5 hours each year through our schoolwide Christ the King Service Day, for 20 hours total over their 4 years. These are the requirements for each grade level:

● Freshmen - 20 hours of service for friends, family, and neighbors (5 may be completed on Christ the King Service Day).

● Sophomores - 20 hours of service for a church/place of worship and/or school (5 may be completed on Christ the King Service Day).

● Juniors and Seniors - 60 hours of service must be completed by the end of first semester of senior year. A minimum of 40 of these hours must be completed through one, preapproved nonprofit organization working in direct service with a marginalized population. (10 hours may be completed through Christ the King Service Day during junior and senior years. And an additional 10 may be completed through their school or faith community.)

For questions on service, or to list an opportunity, please email: service@judgememorial.com

Service Hour Deadlines

Service hours for freshmen and sophomores are due on the last day of the third quarter. Junior/senior hours are due any time before but no later than the last day of first semester during senior year. Students may use the summer leading into the school year to complete hours.

Christian Service General Policies

1. Students will not graduate if service hours are incomplete at any grade level.

2. Consequences of False Reporting

Any falsifying or misrepresenting hours, emails, or anything related to the students’ service requirements, will be handled through the dean’s office. The dean and the service coordinator, in compliance with the Judge Memorial code of conduct, will determine the consequences. Examples of false reporting, include but are not limited to:

● Documenting hours completed before the actual service work occurs

● Inflating hours served

● Claiming to work at a place but not doing so or at a place that does not exist

● Claiming hours that have not been performed

● Falsifying a reflection

● Code of conduct violations committed during service work

3. Christian service hours must be completed outside of the student’s scheduled classes. The exceptions to this are Christ the King Service Day and service partnership projects pre-scheduled through the service office.

4. Students may not receive money for completing their service hours.

Student Fundraising

The purpose of such fundraising activities, if they are supported and assisted by the school, is to teach students the habit and importance of charitable giving and to broaden their worldview. Fundraisers need to:

● Be approved by the principal in consultation with the advancement director and the director of athletics/director of activities.

● Be planned in advance as far as possible.

● Not conflict with or compete with traditional school wide projects.

● Be directed towards reputable non-profit organizations, not individuals or families, and have a plan for managing cash or goods and preventing theft or loss of all cash and goods.