At the heart of its mission, McQuaid Jesuit inspires young men to serve others and pursue a lifelong commitment to justice. The Service and Justice Program is an integral part of the student’s formation. To be promoted from 8th grade, middle school students must complete a minimum of 15 hours of service, and to graduate from high school, students must complete a minimum of 100 hours of service. Please see the information below about specific service requirements. Our office strives to be patient, open to growth, and trusting that God takes delight in the service of our young men. Click here to access our regularly updated list of service opportunities and partner organizations.
All students should use MobileServe to report hours they wish to count towards their service requirements. If you have questions about using MobileServe, please visit our informational webpage or contact the director of service and justice, Mr. Adam Baber ababer@mcquaid.org
Service at Veterans Outreach Center on Veteran’s Day
McQuaid Jesuit seeks to educate the whole person – mind, body, and soul – and inspire young men to realize their God-given gifts through the pursuit of excellence in all things, service to others, and a life-long commitment to justice. As such, we strive for excellence in service to the community at large and to challenge our students to get outside their comfort zone. Christian service involves work done for the good of others without monetary compensation. Christian service is also done when students work without reward or an achievement of rank or status in an organization. Such work can be completed for a variety of organizations or individuals in need but should have a focus on serving those “on the margins of society,” underserved populations, or with a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Except in extraordinary circumstances, service hours cannot be completed for family members. Service for McQuaid Jesuit’s program cannot also be counted for some other requirement such as: Confirmation projects, Eagle Scout projects, Counselor In Training programs, etc. Questions regarding service hours and what qualifies for service should be directed to the Director of Service & Justice.
Students should be aware that they represent McQuaid Jesuit’s values at all times when they participate in Christian service activities. Students should be respectful of staff, other volunteers, and those they serve at any organization or event they volunteer with and recognize that they are guests among that community. Students are expected to work hard, take initiative, and be good ambassadors for McQuaid Jesuit.
The Middle School has its own requirement of five service hours per year for 6th, 7th and 8th grade. No themes are attached to the service requirements. Any student that transfers into middle school at McQuaid Jesuit will receive five credit hours for the year(s) they were not enrolled at McQuaid. All middle school students should complete the 15-hour requirement before the end of 8th grade to be eligible to move from middle school to high school.
The Middle School Mission and Ministry Club meets on most Mondays during FLEX.
Students can contact Ms. Flaitz at aflaitz@mcquaid.org to get suggestions for appropriate volunteer activities.
Laudato Si’, the second encyclical of Pope Francis, encouraged us to take care of our common home and take care of the environment. In that light, high school students will complete ten service hours under the theme of “Care for God’s Creation,” which focuses on service to the environment or nature. Examples of service that fulfills this theme include neighborhood clean-ups, work with animal shelters or environmental organizations, park beautification, etc.
Service under this theme “Life and Dignity of the Human Person” should focus on recognizing the dignity of others and helping people in need lead fulfilling lives. High school students will complete 20-service hours.
Examples of service that would fulfill this theme include work with the elderly, children, individuals with disabilities, the sick, pro-life causes, etc.
Service under this theme “Option for the Poor” should focus on service to the hungry, unhoused, or those affected by material poverty. High school students will complete 20-service hours.
Examples of service that fulfill this theme include volunteering at a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, food bank, or with an organization working with refugees, to name a few.
Seniors are required to complete a significant capstone service project for graduation. The Capstone ought to be a substantial, standalone project with at least 25 hours of volunteer work focused on serving the poor, marginalized, and underserved. Any hours a student accumulates for a project that has not been pre-approved will not be allowed to count towards that project. The project will preferably include contact with a population in need, as kinship with the marginalized is an integral part of Christian service. Please see this informational page for more details on the Capstone project and for ideas to fulfill the requirement.
Contact Mr. Baber on Schoology at ababer@mcquaid.org, or see him in his office in Mission & Ministry if you’re looking for ideas.
There are numerous local nonprofit and charitable organizations that McQuaid has relationships with that have consistent volunteer needs. Click here to view a regularly updated listing of service opportunities and local organizations.
Please contact Mr. Baber in Mission and Ministry with questions about these organizations or about what types of service might count for certain theme hours. We also welcome your suggestions for new partner organizations with whom we might serve.