Christian Service

Christian Service Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 80 Christian Service hours over four years:

• 9th Grade: 15 hours
• 10th Grade: 20 hours
• 11th Grade: 25 hours
• 12th Grade: 20 hours

At Least Half Must Be Off Campus

At least 50% of each student’s required annual hours must be completed with an off-campus organization.

Students may complete more than half of their hours on campus and may still record those hours, but they must still complete the required number of off-campus hours.

Approved on-campus service must be assigned or approved by a coach, administrator, theology teacher, or listed as an approved opportunity in MobileServe.

What Counts as Christian Service?

Christian Service should ordinarily be completed with a nonprofit organization or other agency serving those in need. Organizations and service activities should be consistent with Catholic Social Teaching and the mission of the Catholic Church.

Opportunities specifically posted by SJHS in MobileServe are also considered approved Christian Service opportunities.

The following do not ordinarily count as Christian Service:

• Internships
• Work for a business or office that is not a nonprofit
• Helping at a parent or family business
• Helping family members

Exceptions must receive pre-approval from the appropriate SJHS staff member before the service is completed.

When in doubt, ask before you serve.

Service Hour Deadlines

For the 2026–2027 school year, eligible Christian Service hours may be completed from:

June 1, 2026 – May 6, 2027

Students must also meet the following fall-semester checkpoints:

• 9th Grade: At least 5 hours completed during the fall semester
• 10th–12th Grade: At least 10 hours completed during the fall semester

All required Christian Service hours must be completed before spring finals.

Meeting these deadlines is part of a student’s eligibility to take semester final exams.

Recording Hours in MobileServe

All Christian Service hours must be recorded through MobileServe.

For each service experience, students must:

1. Complete the service

2. Log the hours in MobileServe

3. Take a geo-located photo through the app

4. Obtain verification from the service supervisor

Hours will be reviewed to ensure that the service qualifies and that it has been properly classified as on-campus or off-campus.

Remember:

SERVICE + GEO-LOCATED PHOTO + SUPERVISOR VERIFICATION = CREDIT

Students are responsible for regularly checking MobileServe to make sure their hours have been submitted and approved.

Getting Started with MobileServe

Students must be fully registered at St. Joseph High School and have a MobileServe account before beginning Christian Service.

Incoming freshmen and new transfer students may begin completing hours once these requirements are met.

Download the MobileServe app or access MobileServe online and create an account using the appropriate class code:

• Class of 2027: 500AEB
• Class of 2028: 0A3E39
• Class of 2029: 651CA8
• Class of 2030: 2ACA08

After entering your class code, be sure to select JOIN.

Tracking Your Progress

Christian Service is integrated into each student’s theology course.

Theology teachers will:

• Monitor student progress throughout the year
• Provide regular updates through Canvas
• Conduct monthly service-hour checks
• Help ensure students are meeting semester requirements

At the conclusion of the spring semester, students will also complete a Christian Service reflection through their theology class.

Service Opportunities

Throughout the year, SJHS will share approved service opportunities through MobileServe, school announcements, and other school communications.

The school may also offer optional off-campus, grade-level service experiences with local organizations such as food banks, churches, and community agencies. These opportunities allow students to serve together, strengthen their class community, and live the mission of St. Joseph High School.

Questions?

For questions about Christian Service opportunities, approval, or MobileServe, please contact:

Mrs. Elizabeth Gregory
Christian Service Coordinator
Campus Ministry Office, C-4
[email protected]
(805) 937-2038 ext. 122

When in doubt about whether an activity will count, please ask for approval before completing the service.

Thank you for helping us build a culture of Christian service at St. Joseph High School.