Why We Serve
Development of our students into “persons for others” is an integral part of the mission of Bishop Canevin High School. The service hour program seeks to help students live out Jesus’ call to love our neighbor and take seriously the Church’s social teaching as they identify, understand, and address various needs of their communities.
FAQs about the Service Hour Program
How many hours do I need to complete?
25 hours by May 1st of each school year. 10 of these hours must be “Magis Moments.”
What are “Magis Moments” or “Magis Hours”?
Hands-on service to individuals most in need, meant to help you experience a greater sense of solidarity with those on the margins.
Examples: Volunteering at homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and with organizations that serve those who live with disabilities.
Examples that would NOT QUALIFY towards Magis Hours: fish fries, parish festivals, BC Open House
Can mowing my grandfather’s lawn or other good deeds for my family count as service hours?
No! We encourage you to do these things for family members anyways, but we want you to encounter and learn from those beyond your immediate circles as you complete your service hours.
I’m really busy. When am I supposed to find time to complete my hours?
You must complete these hours outside of a normal school day. Many students complete all of their service hours during holiday breaks or summer vacations. Remember that doing service can also be a fun way to spend time with your friends, teammates, club members, etc.
If I finished my hours for this year, can I work towards hours for next year?
Hours completed after May 1st can count towards next year. Anything additional you do before May 1st is just you going above and beyond that year’s requirement, and we are happy to help you keep track of those hours.
Where can I find service opportunities?
See the “Service Opportunities” link under the “Important Documents and Links” section of this webpage. Also, churches, community centers, local non-profits, and VolunteerMatch.org are excellent resources. Remember it is YOUR responsibility to seek out and pursue opportunities, but we are certainly here to help.
How do I submit my service hours to the school?
**NEW PROTOCOL!
STEP 1:When you complete your service hours, take with you to your service site(s) a paper copy of the “Community Service Supervisor Verification Form” (available in the main office or to print under the “Important Documents and Links” section of this page). Be sure to have your supervisor fill it out and sign it!
STEP 2: Afterwards, take a picture of this completed form. Pictures from your phone will work great!
STEP 3: Fill out the Google Form titled “Service Hour Google Form.”(also under the“Important Documents and Links” section of this page). This form will ask you a few questions about your work and ask you to upload the picture you took earlier.
So is there anything to physically turn into the school?
No paper forms will be turned into the school, which is a change from years prior.
Isn’t it important to reflect on our experiences of service?
Yes!! We want these experiences to have a profound impact on you, and that certainly involves reflection. You are encouraged to do this on your own or alongside those you serve, perhaps using the “Act- Reflect-Transform” model. You will also be given time in your religion class to do this.
If we keep serving but never address the reasons why people are in need, are we really helping?
Excellent question. As we work towards bringing about a more just and loving world, the Church is clear that both charitable works (i.e. providing food, clothing, shelter) and the work of justice (i.e. addressing root causes of problems, advocating for more just policies and social structures) complement one another. As a result, opportunities in which you learn about various social inequities and how to engage in advocacy, provided this work aligns with Catholic Social Teaching, may qualify towards fulfillment of service hours.
Examples: participating in the Arrupe Summit through the Ignatian Solidarity Network; contacting elected officials via letter-writing projects at a local parish.
Note: Please talk to Mrs. Collins if you have an idea for a project like this so that we can be sure it fits within our BC mission.
I didn’t finish my service hours from last year (2020-21). Do I need to also complete these hours this year?
Due to the challenge of completing service hours during the 2020-21 school year, you will not be responsible for making up these hours.
But what if I did complete all of my service hours from last year?
If you completed all 15 hours, you will receive a credit of 5 non-Magis hours towards this year’s 25-hour requirement. In other words, you will only need to complete 20 hours (of which at least 10 are Magis) in the 2021-22 school year.
What should I do if I have additional questions?
Please come visit or email Mrs. Collins (collinsa@bishopcanevin.org), Director of Campus Ministry.