Community Service
Christian Community Service Policy 2025-2026
Catholic High’s commitment to Christian community service is giving witness to our faith and empowering our young women to let their light shine. Christian community service is a yearly commitment and a prerequisite for advancement to the next grade level and graduation. Through action and reflection, Christian community service provides opportunities to build discipleship within the Catholic High community, the Greater Baltimore community, and the world. In the words of St. Francis, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Christian Community Service Requirements
This year, students are required to complete 30* community service hours. A minimum of 15 hours is required by a determined semester deadline.
First Half Due (15 Hours) | Second Half Due (Total=30 Hours) | |
All Grades (9-12) | January 5, 2026 | April 27, 2026 |
Students may begin logging service hours for the 2025-2026 school year beginning May 1, 2025. Any hours completed prior to this date will not be counted toward the student’s 2025-2026 service requirement.
Community Service hours do not rollover in order that service is part of a student’s entire TCHS experience.
Students will be required to complete a graded Christian Community Service Reflection Assignment through their Theology class. Details and rubrics will be provided through the Theology Department.
Approved Locations
Service opportunities must occur within a formal volunteer program or under a direct volunteer supervisor/ event coordinator, at a non-profit that does not conflict with our Catholic values.
Students are required to serve with an organization that has been approved by the school. approved areas are listed below or you can view TCHS Approved Community Service Locations.
- Camps that are faith-based and/or service-based
- Emergency services (e.g. Red Cross, police, firefighters)
- Church events, programs, & ministries
- Community Parks & Recreation
- Libraries & Schools
- TCHS Institutional Advancement Office/events volunteer
- NHS tutoring program
- Organizations listed in TCHS’ Community Service Digital Catalog
If a student wishes to volunteer outside of these settings in an alternative location, such as a different nonprofit organization, she must first receive approval from the Office of Mission
Please Note
Students may not volunteer in the family’s workplace or for her family members. Parents may not sign off as supervisor on logged service hours.
At-home service projects may not be submitted for service hours unless specifically approved in advance. Proper supervision, verification and procedures are needed for all service hours. A maximum of five hours of at-home service are able to be approved each year. (i.e. casseroles, card making, knitting, etc.)
Recommendations
- Begin community service over the summer. It is common for there to be volunteer training or an orientation at many sites, so setting up a site takes some time.
- Go beyond the requirement. Service hours are used to nominate students for many scholarships and awards.
- Christian Community Service should help someone or an organization in need; Christian community service is not the same as free labor.
- Students should submit hours via MobileServe before leaving the volunteer site, if possible. Hours must be submitted as soon as possible. Electronic signature or email verification is needed for approval.
- Contact a local, Catholic non-profit organization such as Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services or St. Vincent de Paul for some service locations and opportunities.
- Consider working with one organization throughout the year. Building a relationship with a community is most rewarding for the student and helpful for the agency. Committing to one agency provides connections that are helpful in applying to colleges and jobs.
- We encourage students to wear their Catholic High uniforms or clothing with the TCHS logo on it in order to promote our school.
- Ask fellow students from your geographical area how they serve for inspiration. You could arrange to serve together and car pool.
The following Service Awards are given at the end of the school year to deserving Catholic High students:
- Mother Generosa Award: 50-99 hours of service
- Saint Clare Award: 100-199 hours of service
- Saint Francis Award: 200 or more hours of service
- Canticle Award: Senior student with highest total number of hours over all four years.
MobileServe Information
- 10th-12th Graders: All hours must be submitted through the MobileServe app.
- 9th Graders & Transfer Students: All service hours completed between May 1, 2025 - August 25, 2025 must be submitted on paper logs at the beginning of the school year. After August 25, 2025, all logs must be submitted via MobileServe. The Technology Department will work with students to set up their MobileServe account at Orientation.
- Hours should NOT be submitted on both logs and the app!