Service
Enter to learn, leave to serve.
Your child will learn to live their earthly and eternal lives as humble servants of Christ. In their classes, not only do students learn about their faith but they are challenged to live their faith in service to the community. In increasing increments of commitment, freshmen through seniors are encouraged to participate in service work at their home parishes, at school and in the community. Your child will encounter Christ through service to others as part of their religion class expectations.
Service Goals
Freshman Year, total of 10 Hours:
- Family/School: 4 Hours
- Parish: 3 Hours
- Works of Mercy: 3 Hours
Sophomore Year, total of 20 Hours:
- Family/School: 9 Hours
- Parish: 5 Hours
- Works of Mercy: 6 Hours
Junior Year, total of 30 Hours:
- Family/School: 8 Hours
- Parish: 5 Hours
- Works of Mercy Organization: 17 Hours
Senior Year, total of 30 Hours:
- Family/School: 8 Hours
- Parish: 5 Hours
- Works of Mercy Organization: 17 Hours
Service Opportunities
We use HelperHelper as our service management platform. It allows us to easily collect and verify service hours students have completed. HelperHelper also allows students to easily find upcoming service opportunities available. See your Director of Campus Ministry, Mr. Gietzen (joegietzen@grwestcatholic.org | 616-233-5958) started with the HelperHelper program.
Drives
West Catholic partners with other schools and organizations throughout the year to help serve and meet the needs of our community.
Thanksgiving Food Drive – Student leaders organize a yearly food drive to collect non-perishable food for community members in need.
Winter Clothing Drive – West Catholic students and staff collect winter clothing to donate to Dégagé Ministries and other homeless shelters.
Christmas Gift Drive – The West Catholic Women’s Leadership Group organizes a yearly Christmas gift drive for St Ann’s Home.
Recognition and Awards
Serving others is its own reward, but at West Catholic, we like to acknowledge students who go above and beyond in serving their community. Students who serve above the minimum hour requirement could earn a transcript endorsement and/or the Christian Service Award.
A transcript endorsement is an endorsement marked on your college transcript that highlights the student has gone over and above the minimum requirement for service hours.
The Christian Service Award is an award given at the Honors assembly that acknowledges the hard work and many hours students have given to serve Jesus in our community.
| Grade | Minimum | T.E. | C.S.A |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9th | 10 Hours | 20 Hours | 40 Hours |
| 10th | 20 Hours | 30 Hours | 50 Hours |
| 11th | 30 Hours | 40 Hours | 60 Hours |
| 12th | 30 Hours | 40 Hours | 75 Hours |
Hours acquired after minimum requirement, for T.E. or C.S.A., can be from any category.
*T.E. – Transcript Endorsement
*C.S.A. – Christian Service Award