CHRISTIAN SERVICE PROGRAM
Through the Gospel mandate of Jesus Christ, we are called as Christians to take up our “basin and towel” to love and serve as Christ did.
“For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:15)
Through the Christian service program, all students of Padua Franciscan High School are offered the gifts of humility and poverty in spirit as they follow the example of Saint Francis in loving service to others through Jesus Christ.
Students are required to perform four years of Christian Service at Padua.
Students will receive specific requirements for each year through Campus Ministry orientations and Theology classes.
The following are general requirements of the program for freshmen and sophomores:
- All students will be required to turn in a log sheet with all service hours logged. The sheet will include individual hours and total hours; supervisor signature (supervisor initials are required every time service is performed); contact number for supervisors, short description of service performed each time; student and parent signatures stating that all hours have been completed and properly logged on the sheet. The Campus Ministry staff will provide these sheets.
- Students must turn in individual service log sheets within seven days of the service activity.
- All students must turn in completed forms by April 24, 2008.
- On report cards and transcripts, students will receive a Pass/Fail grade based on the completion of the required service. Service will be required for graduation but will be recorded as a zero credit “class” on transcript.
- Students who fail to fufill their service requirement will not be allowed to return to Padua Franciscan High School - Students will perform 15 hours of service to their family.
- They will also perform five hours of service to Padua Franciscan or the student’s Church/Parish.
- Students will complete a written reflection on their service in Christian Life class.
All sophomores will complete 20 hours of service to the student’s community or Church.
- Students will perform this service outside of the school setting.
- Students will complete a reflection and essay on this service during sophomore theology class.
All juniors will participate in Community service to the “marginalized"
- Students will make eight visits, at a minimum of one hour per visit, to an agency that has been approved by the service coordinator. A list of previously approved service sites will be provided to the students.
- Students must complete all eight visits at two service sites at most.
- After selecting service site, each student must meet with the site supervisor and sign a site service agreement form.
- Each student will complete a written reflection assignment in Christian Morality class.
- Students are encouraged to do the service with a partner.
All seniors will fulfill the Christian Service requirement through working on a class advocacy project in the Social Justice course.
- A major aspect of the Social Justice course is preparing students to speak in solidarity with those whose voice is marginalized or unable to be heard in society. Therefore, seniors will participate in an ADVOCACY PROJECT where they will:
1) research and study an injustice affecting people who are poor and vulnerable
2) learn and understand the Catholic Social Teaching, and
3) design and participate in a social action that gives a voice to those who are oppressed.
- Each class will choose one issue to research in depth, and students will work together on the design and completion of the act of advocacy.
- Individually, students will complete research assignments and a final reflection paper on their advocacy experience.
JUSTICE AND SOLIDARITY
HONDURAS MISSION TRIP
Juniors have the opportunity to travel to a Franciscan Mission in Honduras, the second-poorest country in the western hemisphere, as a short-term missionary.
SAINT FRANCIS SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP
Students have the opportunity to participate in weekly visits to our Church in the City Partner school, St. Francis Elementary, in Cleveland
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
Padua Franciscan students have the opportunity to learn about Catholic Social Teaching and participate in social action events organized by this network of students and teachers from Catholic high schools and colleges from across the Diocese of Cleveland. Some examples of these Catholic social action events include students taking part in the annual Rally for Life in Washington DC, participating in prayer vigils at executions in Lucasville OH, and participating in the Northeast Ohio Poverty Summit.
Franciscan Connection Trip to St. Louis Coming Soon!
Padua Center in Toledo (Coming Soon!)