Christian Service

Jesus and his disciples were at supper. Jesus, knowing that the Father had given him all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around his waist.  Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet…  - John 13: 2 – 5

The Christian Service Program provides students with the opportunity to witness their commitment to Christian values through service to the wider community. Students are required to complete a minimum of 25 hours of service at one agency during their Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior year (100 hours total), or participate in MICAH (Mitty in Communion Actively Helping). Students may choose to participate in projects from agencies which are pre-approved by the Christian Service Coordinator and exceptions to the pre-approved agencies must be applied for and approved by the Christian Service Coordinator. Archbishop Mitty also offers unique international and national immersion experiences, which will also serve to fulfill the Christian Service Requirement. (See “Immersion Program” section on website.)

Freshmen	Graduation Requirement	MICAH
Sophomores	Getting Started	St. Francis Service Award
Juniors	Service Check Up and Verification	AMHS Service Guide
Seniors	FAQ

Graduation Requirement

The Christian Service Program seeks to provide you with the opportunity to witness your commitment to Christian values through service to the wider community.  You are required to complete a minimum of 25 hours at one agency during the current school year and each of your years at Archbishop Mitty for a total of 100 hours before graduation.  As much as possible, your service should involve direct interaction with people and should address injustices in the wider community.  You may not miss any school time to complete service work.

The Campus Ministry and Religious Studies departments work together to facilitate Christian Service work at Mitty.  The forms and written work described below are all collected by your Religious Studies teacher. All of the Christian Service forms mentioned below are available outside of the Campus Ministry Center and on the school’s web site.  If you have any questions or concerns, please see your teacher or Mr. Kroenung in Campus Ministry.

Freshmen

AMHS Christian Service Parent Consent Form (pdf file): October 11
Time Card and Verification Form (pdf): May 8

Christian Service Project Proposal (pdf)

Sophomores

AMHS Christian Service Parent Consent Form (pdf file): October 4
Time Card and Verification Form (pdf): May 1

Christian Service Project Proposal (pdf)

Juniors

Junior Christian Service Project Proposal

Parent Consent Form: Sept. 27
Minimum of 10 Hours: Jan. 10
Full Verification: April 24

All juniors will complete 25 hours of service at one agency that serves people who are disadvantaged by poverty.  More specifically, students will perform direct service with the poor, disenfranchised, and marginalized in our community. Ten hours must be completed by the end of Christmas Break.

Seniors

Senior Christian Service Project Proposal

Fall Spirituality
Parent Consent Form: Sept. 20 Verification of Hours: December 6

Spring Spirituality
Parent Consent Form: January 17
Verification of Hours: April 17

All seniors will complete 25 hours of direct, interpersonal service with persons with special needs.  This group includes: physically, mentally, emotionally disabled persons, elderly persons, and persons with a terminal illness and/or in hospice care.

Getting Started

You need your parents’ permission before you start your work.  The AMHS Christian Service Parent Consent Form (pdf file) requires you to get two signatures. First, your parents must sign the form, giving permission for your participation in an off-campus agency. 

If you wish to do your service work at an agency that is not on the pre-approved list, you are required to complete a Christian Service Project Proposal (pdf). You must give the form to your religious studies teacher or Mr. Kroenung at least two weeks prior to beginning your service.

We always encourage you to begin your service during the summer. This spring, on April 23,the annual Service Fair will be held on our campus. Representatives from numerous local service agencies will be available to distribute information and answer any question you may have about their organizations.

Service Check Up and Verification

At the start of the second semester your religious studies teacher will require you to submit a Service Check Up Form.  You will be asked to state the number of hours you have completed so far and have your parents sign the form.

By the due dates posted above, you must provide written verification that you have completed at least 25 hours at one service agency through a signed Time Card and Verification Form (pdf) or a letter from your adult supervisor.

If you have any questions, please see or email Mr. Kroenung in Campus Ministry.

MICAH: Mitty in Communion Actively Helping

“This is what the Lord asks of you, that you act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God”  MICAH 6:8

The MICAH program exists to provide students with more opportunities to perform Christian service together with other students. Each semester, a group of students goes together to various agencies in San Jose to work and reflect on their encounters. Participation in MICAH fulfills the service requirement for the year.

All students are invited to be a part of the MICAH program, provided that they commit to participating in all of the volunteer experiences. There is a program in the Fall and in the Spring. The MICAH Application and Schedule (pdf) deadline is Tuesday, September 4.

FAQs

Where can I serve?
You can serve at any non-profit agency on our pre-approved list on the AMHS website.

What if I know of an agency or project that is not on the pre-approved list?
Complete a Proposal for Christian Service Form and give it to your religion teacher at least two weeks before you start your service.

When can I start my service?
Service hours for each school year can begin after graduation.  The service requirement can begin and be completed during the summer.

How do I keep track of my hours so that I am sure that I get credit?
Be sure to record your hours on a Time Card and Verification Form.  Bring the form to your service site each day, and have an adult supervisor sign the form to verify the number of hours for the day.  At the end of your service, an adult should sign the bottom of the form, verifying the total number of hours for the year.

What if I started or finished my hours over the summer and didn’t bring a timecard?
A typed letter describing the work that you did and the total number of hours served that is signed by an adult supervisor is sufficient.

Can I complete 100 hours freshman year and complete the graduation requirement?
No.  You will complete 25 hours of service each of your four years at Archbishop Mitty

Once I complete my initial 25 hours, may I serve at other agencies?
Yes.  Your minimum 25 hours must be at one agency, but you are encouraged to serve as many hours as possible at any agencies of your choosing.

Can I work at the same agency all four years?
Since juniors and seniors must adhere to specific themes, you will most likely need to explore a different agency for these years.

Can I go back to my old school to do my service hours?
Yes, provided that you work directly with students and do not perform administrative or janitorial tasks.  Tutoring and coaching meet the criteria for our service program, but filing and similar office work does not.

If I do go back to my old school, do I need to submit a Proposal Form?
Yes.

If another student already had an agency approved, do I still need to submit a Proposal Form?
Yes.

Can I be a coach?
Once again, you are required to work directly with the children.  Work such as maintaining fields or selling food and drinks in a snack shack does not earn service hours.

Can I perform my hours through fundraising events such as Relay for Life or the March of Dimes?
Only preparation and committee work for these events earn service hours, not time spent walking around a track or course.  If you spend at least 25 hours as a leader who helps to organize dimensions of these events, that meets the service requirement.

How do I join MICAH?
There are two MICAH groups, one in the fall and one in the spring.  Applications for each group are available at the start of each semester.  Complete the application and submit it to Campus Ministry.

If I play a sport, can I still do MICAH?
You will not be able to participate in MICAH during your season, as your practice times will conflict with the Wednesday afternoon service outings.  Since there is a fall group and a spring group, be sure to apply for the group that fits your schedule.

AMHS Service Guide
AMHS Service Guide (pdf)

The Service Guide below is a handout that summarizes the most essential information about the Christian Service Program.

St. Francis Service Award
St. Francis Service Award Application (pdf)

The St. Francis Service Award is a way to recognize all students who perform an extraordinary amount of Christian service hours in significant service to the local and/or international community. The award is given to students who have been involved in extraordinary service projects, including Archbishop Mitty's various immersion programs. To qualify, students must have served at least 125 hours of meaningful service during the current school year.