Saintsmen are Christian Gentlemen who have not only experienced Christian service but have also acquired skills to continue service, and are aware of the importance of compassion for others. Saintsmen are young men prepared to participate in a changing world who contribute in positive ways as members of their civic communities, serve the common good and have interpersonal skills for achieving it, have been exposed to other cultures through multi-cultural experiences, and realize that service to the community is an on-going responsibility.
We, as a Christian community, are all called to be servants of those in need. With this in mind, Campus Ministry strives to make these opportunities available and act as a guide to understanding and meeting needs of our community. Each grade level participates in a service theme relating to a community in need, to be carried throughout that year.
Christian Service Requirements
It is strongly recommended that students check in with the Director of Christian Service prior to beginning a project. This will assure that he receives credit for service performed. General service guidelines are detailed below:
FRESHMEN: All freshmen will complete 25 hours of service. Freshmen are encouraged to focus on service that contributes directly to the St. Augustine High School community. Hours may be completed at school-sponsored events and activities, including but not limited to: weekly Mass set-up, New Parent Night, Theatre Arts productions, Campus Ministry events, Math Field Day, Athletic Tournaments and games, Austin Parent Association, etc. Students may also earn hours by assisting faculty and staff in various ways. Freshmen should check with teams/clubs/organizations/individual faculty & staff to see what opportunities might be in the offing. In addition to completing hours directly for St. Augustine, freshmen may also complete hours in their local parishes.
SOPHOMORES: All sophomores will complete 25 hours of service. Sophomores are encouraged to look for opportunities that have a positive impact on their local community. Examples would include, but not be limited to, service at local Parishes, elementary schools, hospitals, community recreation centers, etc. It is also expected that all sophomores will have the opportunity to travel with a group of their classmates and faculty to St. Vincent de Paul Village to serve lunch to Village clients.
JUNIORS: Juniors are asked to complete a minimum of 25 hours of service at non-profit agencies where they have not done service before. Several options for locations may be found on our website. Our hope is that junior students will extend their service into areas of personal interest, while at the same time stretching themselves beyond service sites they are already familiar with.
SENIORS: All senior Saints students are asked to complete 25 hours of service with ONE non-profit agency. All or most of the 25 hours should involve direct contact with those the students are serving. Examples include but are not limited to: feeding the homeless at shelters or food kitchens, delivering meals to sick/elderly, assisting with after-school programs by way of tutoring or recreation programming, or emergency response service. The purpose of completing all 25 hours in ONE location is to develop relationships with not only supervisors, but hopefully with those the students most directly serve. The site and details of placement are to be approved by the Director of Christian Service prior to the student beginning service.
We hope that SAINTSMEN go above and beyond the call for service through “requirements” and actually participate in service out of a desire to do good for others. Each year, the students, faculty, alumni and friends of St. Augustine High School contribute thousands of hours of service to different communities in San Diego, representing who we truly are as a community of believers who put faith into action.
