Catholic Education at a Glance - DePaul Catholic High School

Christian Service Program

The Christian Service Program

"This I command you: love one another." - John 15:17

In the tradition of St. Vincent DePaul in serving those who are most in need, we look forward to this year's Christian Service Program. St. John gives us the charge from Christ himself, that as we consider ourselves members of a Christian Community, we are reminded that our first command is to love one another. In addition, De Paul Catholic High School's Mission Statement clearly says:

DePaul Catholic High School is a co-educational diocesan college preparatory high school whose mission is to foster the spiritual, intellectual, physical and social growth of its students. DePaul Catholic enables all students to deepen their faith by teaching the doctrine and traditions of the Catholic Church; by strengthening their sense of social justice and societal responsibility, and by helping students form a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The school community also develops young men and women from varying backgrounds into skilled, compassionate citizens who respect the dignity of all people and leaders who are willing to meet the challenges of a complex global society.

In that spirit, the following are the requirements for this year's CSP:

All students are required to participate in Christian Service during their years at DePaul Catholic High School.

Approved ministries include:
Elderly, Sick & Dying, Disabled Adults, Children, the Poor, and needs from members of the family
and/or a neighbor that has a specific need for assistance/aid.

Additional details are available in the letter posted below.

Service Learning

Community service, as many of us know, has been a part of educational systems for years. But what takes Service Learning to the next level is that it combines serving the community with the rich academic frontloading, assessment, and reflection typically seen in project-based learning.

According to Vanderbilt University, service learning is defined as: "A form of experiential education where learning occurs through a cycle of action and reflection as students seek to achieve real objectives for the community and deeper understanding and skills for themselves."

Among the Service Learning opportunities afforded to students at DePaul Catholic are:

Midnight Run - going to New York City at midnight to feed and clothe the homeless.
Sorting food at the food pantry - our many hands can do a week's work in a few hours.
The Angel Project - sorting and unpacking Christmas gift donations for the Straight and Narrow community.

In addition to Service Learning, Interact, in coordination with the Theology classes, has numerous projects throughout the year, among which are:

School Supplies drive - collecting school supplies for the Straight and Narrow community.
Food Drives - not only for Thanksgiving but through the year to help the hungry.
Halloween Costumes and Prom Dresses Collections.
Socks and Underwear Drives.

Peer Ministry

The Peer Ministry Team has been an important part of the history of DePaul Catholic High School in years past, and has been present in some different forms as the "God Squad" and the "Youth Group". The student leaders of this ministry have had a reputation as servant leaders, role models, and representatives of the school.

Peer Ministry Team members are expected to:

Attend regular meetings once a month throughout the school year, (times of the meetings will be posted in a regular pattern and may be either in person or virtual depending on the situation).
Set a good example as a role model for other students (Appropriate uniform, use appropriate language and manners, and more within the school and outside in the community).
Take leadership responsibilities to organize and implement discussions, projects, retreats, and the like.
Assist in planning and participating in retreats across all grade levels (Peer Ministry Class).
Volunteer for other activities at the request of the Campus Ministry Team.
Serve at Mass as a lector, altar server, gift bearer, Eucharistic Minister.
Lead group discussions on student retreats.
Give talks at student retreats.
Participate in school-wide Advent and Lenten reflections/prayer services.
Lead school-wide morning prayer over the P.A. system and offer to lead prayer in the classroom. (See Sr. Jeanne and your classroom teachers)
Lead prayer at other school events, such as orientation days.

Any interested student from grades 10-12 can complete an application and sponsor form. Based upon a student's application and adult sponsor form, qualified candidates will be interviewed by one or more members of the Campus Ministry Team. This interview will be the final determining factor regarding acceptance to the Peer Ministry Team.

Campus Ministry

Our Campus Ministry Program provides spiritual support, plans religious activities and reinforces a strong Catholic identity at DePaul Catholic High School. The Christian Service Program, Peer Ministry, Music Ministry and Prayer and Liturgy are all coordinated through this Program.

A Message from the Director of Campus Ministry

MASS SCHEDULE - Mass is celebrated on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 2:15pm in the chapel. Please contact Ms. Zaccardi (zaccardia@dpchs.org) for any special Mass intention. The cost for the Mass is $5. The funds will be used to support the Liturgical Mission of our school.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY MASSES / CLASS MASSES - School community Masses are typically celebrated in the DePaul auditorium. Parents are welcome to attend the community Mass celebrations.
SERVING THE COMMUNITY DURING MASS - Students are encouraged to participate actively in Mass and other liturgical celebrations. Their participation may include being altar servers, choir members, lectors, presenters of offertory gifts, Eucharistic ministers, and in the planning of liturgical celebrations.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION - The sacrament of Reconciliation, scheduled at designated times, is available to all students during the school year in the school chapel. The sacrament of Reconciliation is available at any time by appointment. Please contact the School Chaplain. Faculty and students are encouraged to receive this sacrament on a regular basis.
RETREAT DAYS - Each class year/grade is provided with an annual class retreat which is an opportunity to spend time in prayer and to reflect on their relationship with Jesus Christ and one another. At DePaul Catholic High School, we place great emphasis on our retreat days and the retreats are mandatory for all students. Failure to attend one's scheduled school retreat may require that the retreat be made up on a specific date arranged by the Director of Campus Ministry.

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