Christian Service Learning

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)

Service is at the very heart of the Christian life. 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. 

We have removed the minimum hours requirements for the four areas of service.

Service to Place of Worship – Evangelization:  

• Bible School, Fish Fry, Choir, Ushering, R.E., Edge, Altar Serving – Full Hours  

• Helping with any church drives (Food, Clothing, Blood, etc.)  

• Helping with any church functions or fundraisers  

• Greeters, Lectoring – 15 minutes/service  

• Morning Mass as a Lector or Altar Server  

• Spiritual and Pastoral Care for Life Affirming Choices (praying in front of clinics).  

• Speak to Fr. Clement or Mr. Cannon and they will also help you find ways to servce.     

Service to NDP:  

• Summer Sports Camps  

• Advancement Events  

• Saints Store  

• School Events (Open house, 8th grade day, etc.)  

Service to the Community:  

• Being a little more flexible with Service opportunities here  

• Volunteer Walks and Runs - Helping set-up and Break down – Not participating in the run (Must be pre-approved)  

• Community events – Breakfast with Santa, Easter egg hunts  

• Helping at former middle or grade school  

Christian Service to the Poor and Marginalized:  

• St. Mary’s Food Bank, Feed My Starving Children, St. Vincent de Paul, Andre House, Welcome to America Project, etc.  

• Mission Trips  

• Any service that is helping those less fortunate   

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.

Many service leaders have encouraged students to discover issues or causes they care about. Here are some ways service leaders are encouraging civic engagement and accepting service through advocacy:

***If you choose to participate in this service it must be on issues in line with the Catholic Church teachings:  ie. human trafficking, refugees, right to life issues, drug trafficking, environmental issues (this topic must be pre-approved by Dcn. Carbone at ccarbone@ndpsaints.org.

Students will receive two service hours for completing any of the following advocacy projects:

• Writing letters to congressional representatives and senators
• Learning about and writing a reflection on social issues in the student's community
• Understanding the importance and impact of voting and writing a reflection about it
• Watching documentaries and/or Ted Talks about current issues and writing reflection essays on what the student learned

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.

Do you have a cause or charity that you would like to support? Click here to submit your idea for a new charity drive or fundraiser.