Reflect and Plan Direct Service Opportunities for Your Students
You may be on a team with the responsibility to offer direct service opportunities to your students. Use the summer months to collect a clearing house of ideas for direct service. For example: Training to become a liturgical minister Supporting homebound ministries Teaching religious education Offering free babysitting to parents in need Cleaning up a park Becoming a hospital helper Organizing a Thanksgiving dinner for those in need Volunteering at the public library Planning a hunger fast with donations Supporting a right to life event Participating in meal preparation at a homeless shelter Also, undertake personal reflection to help you with this effort. For example: Think about successful opportunities for direct service that you have provided in the past. What are some common elements of these success stories? Describe the attitudes of your teens towards direct service. What do you find difficult in teaching your students about a Christian’s call to service. Name some ways you can incorporate lessons on the Church’s social teaching within your programming. Read and reflect on John 13:1-20. Define for yourself what it means to be a servant leader. What are some other local parish and communities ministries and agencies with whom your school could partner to serve others.
