Extra Innings

“So then, my brothers and sisters,

because of God’s great mercy to us,

I make this appeal to you:

offer yourselves as living sacrifice to God

dedicated to His service and pleasing Him.”
Romans 12:1-2

St. Joseph Community School has a long tradition of service given to others as part of its curriculum. This year it will again be a main focus as we wish to instill in our students the desire to be of service throughout all of their lives.

Fifth and sixth graders will be asked to perform a minimum of 10 service hours this year inside and outside school. We ask that the students divide the hours up, 5 hours per semester. The students are not limited to just 5 hours per semester. We welcome and encourage them to do as many as they can.

These service hours will be recorded in their service booklet, and you will need to sign and verify the hours your child is claiming. Since service is a part of the student’s religion grade, we want you to be aware of and check on your student to ensure that he/she is performing the hours inside and outside of school.

Our hope is that our students will become service-conscious, active Christians as they experience the joy and satisfaction of serving others in these formative years of their lives. We ask for your support and commitment to this program and invite any questions or comments you might have.

Reminders:

1. Service can be done alone or with others.
2. Service hours should be spread out throughout the year.
3. You will need to document your service hours.
4. Feel free to come up with your own ideas for service projects. Ideas other than those listed must be approved before you commit yourself to a project.
5. Each student will be asked to be involved in a certain number of hours of service per semester. More is encouraged.
6. All service is to be done without payment, performed in the spirit of love, and answer to the needs of others.
7. Family involvement in service is rewarding.

Suggestions for Service Hours:

Anytime
*Mass Server *Mass Lector *Children’s Liturgy *Sing in choir at mass *Play a musical instrument at Mass *Help with Sunday coffee and rolls *Volunteer for church
activities or celebrations *Help clean the church *Help Father Carl with planting or weeding *Help clean the school *Help clean the playground *Provide baby-sitting for meetings *Assist at nursing homes *Visit people in the hospital *Visit homebound and shut-ins *Do house or yard work for a shut-in *Cut grass clean screens, rake, plant gardens *Help with Parent/Child Connection *Tutor a student

Seasonal
FALL
* Participate in Crop Walk * Work at the Fall Festival * Help elderly or needy rakes leaves or prepare home for winter
WINTER
*Christmas Caroling *Shovel snow for elderly   *Help with the “Giving Tree”
*Help decorate the church for Christmas
SPRING
*Decorate the church for Easter *Wash windows *Participate in Relay for Life
*Take part in Earth Day Activities