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Service Hours

At St. Benedict at Auburndale, we instill in our students the importance of making service an integral part of their lives. Guided by the spirit of Saint Benedict and his motto, "Ora et Labora" — meaning "prayer and work" — we believe that true service stems from a profound love for God. This love, in turn, leads us to serve others and strengthens our relationship with Christ. 

All Freshman, Sophomores, and Seniors are required to complete Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy service hours by participating in charitable activities, outreach programs, and community service projects. This not only benefits those in need but also deepens their understanding of faith in action.

All Juniors complete a self-designed Service Project under the direction of Mr. Roberts. This project includes a written proposal, comprehensive service plan, and concluding paper.  The Junior year curriculum includes Catholic Social Teaching, and the Service Project invites students to an immediately apply of the content of the course in their lives.

Service Requirements for Freshman, Sophomores, and Seniors

The completion of Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy service hours, along with proper documentation, will be evaluated as a test grade in both the second and fourth quarters, accounting for approximately 10% of the overall quarter grade. Students who fail to fulfill the service requirement fully by the specified deadline will receive no more than half credit. 

Action Steps
To meet the requirements for each semester, students must document their service by submitting the following to their Theology teacher: 

  1. Complete the Intent to Serve form indicating service to be completed 
  1. Download and complete log sheet and supervisor report: It must be signed by the agency supervisor (bring every time you volunteer!) and by the student’s parent or legal guardian. 
  1. Complete assignment determined by Theology teacher: Semester assignment is determined by the Theology teacher and may include a written reflection, oral presentation, or other creative demonstration of the service that the student completed and what they learned in the process. 

Failure to complete service hours as required will result in the student receiving a zero for incomplete work. Dishonesty in logging and reflecting on service is a serious breach of the Honor Code and will be handled as stated in the school handbook. 

Grade
Completion of the service hours and documentation will be assigned a test grade in the second and fourth quarters and will comprise about 10% of the quarter grade. 

Corporal Works of Mercy  

Service hours dedicated to the Corporal Works of Mercy include feeding the hungry, providing drink to the thirsty, offering shelter to the homeless, visiting the sick, comforting prisoners, burying the dead, and giving alms to those in need.

Spiritual Works of Mercy

Service hours dedicated to the Spiritual Works of Mercy include instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, admonish sinners, bear wrongs patiently, forgive offences willingly, comfort the sorrowful, and pray for the living and the dead.

Service Awards 

The Benedictine Cross 

St. Benedict at Auburndale would like to recognize students who exceed the service requirement for their grade level by honoring them in the following ways: