Christian Service

Christian Service is being the hands of Jesus in the world. It is based on Matthew 25. Basically, it is serving those who are in need just as Jesus did; serving the poor, marginalized and disadvantaged through various nonprofit agencies.

      "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." (Mt 25:35-36).

Our pursuit of holiness here at Notre Dame Prep draws us out of focusing on ourselves and into the other-centered love of Jesus. We serve, not to check a box or pad a resumé. We serve because that is what disciples do. 

Here at Notre Dame Prep, we strive to have our service connected to the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching. Examples of service within each Catholic Social Teaching and the Works of Mercy are below.

Please log your community service hours through MobileServe here:

MobileServe

1. Life and Dignity of the Human Person

• The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. The intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks is always wrong. Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person. (USCCB)

2. Call to Family, Community, and Participation

• The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society -- in economics and politics, in law and policy -- directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. Marriage and the family are the central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. (USCCB)

3. Rights and Responsibilities

• The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected, and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities--to one another, to our families, and to the larger society. (USCCB)

4. Preferential Option for the Poor

• A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. (USCCB)

5. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

• The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in Gods creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected--the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative. (USCCB)

6. Solidarity

• We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers and sisters keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that if you want peace, work for justice.1 The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict. (USCCB)

7. Care for God's Creation

• We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored. (USCCB)

 

 

Corporal Works of Mercy are a set of seven charitable actions rooted in Catholic tradition, focused on addressing the physical needs of others.

1. Feed the hungry: Providing food to those in need.

2. Give drink to the thirsty: Offering water or other beverages to those who are thirsty.

3. Clothe the naked: Providing clothing to those who need it.

4. Shelter the homeless: Providing housing or a safe place to stay for those without a home

Examples include:

• Serving at organizations like Feed My Starving Children, St. Mary’s Food Bank, St. Vincent De Paul, etc.

5. Visit the sick: Showing support and kindness to those who are ill.

Examples include:

• Volunteering at hospitals, nursing homes, car centers, etc.
• Writing cards or bringing flowers to such places

6. Visit the imprisoned: Bringing comfort and encouragement to those in prison.

• Please reach out to Fr. Wetzel with prison ministry to see if there are existing opportunities.

7. Bury the dead: Providing respectful burial for the deceased.

Examples include:

• Volunteering at funeral homes and cemetery sites (cleaning or decorating headstones), etc.

The Spiritual Works of Mercy have long been a part of the Christian tradition, appearing in the works of theologians and spiritual writers throughout history.

Here are some activities you can complete. Please note that some of them have service hour caps, as well as may require extra proof when submitting your hours:

1. Instruct the ignorant: Sharing knowledge and understanding, especially in matters of faith.

Looks like:

• Tutoring Hours (NHS Approved)
• Hours given to parish life ministries such as volunteering for the elementary or middle school programs at churches

2. Admonish the sinner: Gently guiding someone back to a life of goodness.

Looks like:

• Hours given to parish life ministries such as volunteering for the elementary or middle school programs at churches

3. Comfort the sorrowful: Offering words of support and encouragement to those who are grieving.

Looks like:

• Going to homeless shelters, assistant living homes, nursing homes, writing and delivering letters or donations to those in the hospital or veterans

4. Bear wrongs patiently: Forgiving those who have wronged you and not seeking revenge.

Looks like:

• Write a 500-word reflection on how you forgave someone or how you plan to forgive someone - Worth an hour - Limit on this is a total of 3 hours per school year

5. For the dead, pray for the living and the dead: Offering prayers for the living and the souls in purgatory.

Looks like:

• Having a Mass said for someone who passed recently and attending that Mass
  • Proof is requesting a Mass intention on the NDP Website and check in with the Campus Minister when you show up, or take a picture with Fr. Anthony - Worth an hour - Limit on this is one hour per semester
• Volunteering to clean up cemeteries or do work at funeral homes

 

1. St Mary’s Food Bank:  https://www.firstfoodbank.org/
2. St. Vincent De Paul:  https://www.stvincentdepaul.net/get-involved
3. Even NDP needs help at times for events. 
4. For all Christian Service Opportunities (on campus and off campus) visit MobileServe.

We offer many wonderful service trips where our students are immersed in service to those most in need of kindness and aid. Click here to see the exciting trips that we offer at Notre Dame Prep.