Prayer, both individual and communal, is at the center of our Catholic faith. The Central Catholic community gathers for prayer on a regular basis. We come together as a school community approximately once a month to celebrate the Eucharist and other forms of liturgy. Every semester, each class gathers together to celebrate a class liturgy. The school chapel is open during the day for students to spend quiet time in prayer, and for a daily morning liturgy. Parents and friends are always welcome at any of the school liturgies.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered during Advent and Lent, as well as upon individual request throughout the year. The Chapel of Christ the King is open for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for two days during Holy Week.

Central Catholic offers multiple retreat experiences. Retreat leaders create an atmosphere of comfort, trust, and sharing so that students can explore issues of Christian identity, Christian relationships, Christian values, and Christian reconciliation. The goal is to provide an opportunity for students to listen and respond to the promptings of God’s spirit in their lives and the life of the community.

Central Catholic requires all freshmen, sophomores, and seniors to attend a one-day retreat. Juniors are encouraged to attend a weekend retreat entitled Search. Seniors may choose to attend an optional retreat held in the spring.

The Christian Service Program is designed to help develop the students of Central Catholic High School into a people of compassion and knowledge, a people committed to justice as people for others. Through Christian service, students develop the purpose of standing in solidarity with others. This development of community, both within and outside Central Catholic, is a vital goal of the Christian Service Program and Central Catholic High School.

All service performed for Central Catholic service credit must:

1. Benefit those who survive after experiencing marginalization in our community and/or who are society’s most vulnerable members.

2. Benefit a nonprofit group or organization that is in keeping with the values of the Catholic Church.

3. Not be affiliated directly or indirectly with any political campaigns or groups.

Christian Service requirements must be completed by the corresponding semester due dates. Incomplete service will require a student to complete a Service Completion Plan (SCP) in collaboration with the Christian Service Office. If an SCP is not completed within the same week as the semester Christian Service due date, students will be assigned detention until the plan is completed.

Christian service is part of holistic Catholic education, and all Central Catholic students are encouraged to exceed the minimum requirements. Over the first four semesters, each student is asked to experience a variety of service experiences in the following areas of engagement:

• Health, Education, and Faith Formation (first semester)

• Environmental Stewardship (second semester)

• Houselessness and Hunger (third semester)

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Liberation (fourth semester)

Each specific class requirement is listed below and must be met in order for the student to register for the subsequent school year or to satisfy the graduation requirement.

Freshman Service Requirements

Summer: Students can complete service in advance of the upcoming year to add to their service record.  All service needs to be verified by a signature. Keep track of all of your signatures to record any service completed. 

Fall:

• Seven (7) hours in the area of Health, Education, and Faith Formation; Due: January 14, 2025

• Three (3) hours in the area of Solidarity Work/Personal Growth and Development; Due: January 15, 2025 

Spring: 

• Seven (7) hours in the area of Environmental Stewardship; Due; May 13, 2025

• Three (3) hours in the area of Solidarity Work/Personal Growth and Development; Due: May 13, 2025

Sophomore Service Requirements

Fall:

• Seven (7) service hours in the area of Houselessness and Hunger; Due: January 14, 2025 

• Three (3) hours in the area of Solidarity Work/Personal Growth and Development; Due: January 15, 2025

Spring:

• Seven (7) service hours in the area of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Liberation; Due: May 13, 2025 

• Three (3) hours in the area of Solidarity Work/Personal Growth and Development; Due: May 13, 2025

Junior Service Requirements

All members of the class of 2026 will complete 30 hours of direct service experience with a vulnerable/marginalized population to be completed by January 13, 2026. This service should be done with one nonprofit organization. A plan needs to be completed and a contract signed and approved before students can begin their service. Plans will be completed in theology class. (This is a requirement during the fall semester of junior year.) Students will complete a service journal and upload sections of their journal to Canvas at specific intervals

Senior Service Requirements

All members of the Class of 2025 will complete 30 hours of direct service experience with a vulnerable/marginalized population to be completed by January 14, 2025. This service should be done with one nonprofit organization. A plan needs to be completed and a contract signed and approved before students can begin their service. Plans were completed in the Spring of 2024. Students will complete a service journal and upload sections of their journal to Canvas at specific intervals

All students will track their service hours by obtaining signatures from their service supervisor on an hour tracking sheet. Areas of Engagement

Houselessness and Hunger

• We intentionally engage people living without shelter and experiencing food scarcity to help them change their circumstances and restore their dignity as fellow humans. This area is reserved for service addressing housing and hunger needs.

Health, Education, and Faith Formation

• We intentionally engage people living with unsatisfied physical, cognitive, or spiritual needs to support their desires and accompany them in their development. This area is reserved for service addressing health, education, and faith formation needs.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Liberation

• We intentionally engage people living in unjust and inhumane realities to understand and change the systems of inequity and oppression that unjustly limit their human potential and freedom. This area is reserved for service addressing diversity, equity, inclusion, and liberation needs.

Environmental Stewardship

• We intentionally engage our planet to understand its needs and take actions that sustain life in all its unique and varied forms. This area is reserved for service addressing environmental needs.

Students will receive a Pass (P) on their Progress Report and Semester Report Card when they meet the Christian Service requirement. Late service hour reporting in any semester will disqualify a student from receiving Christian Service Honors recognition at graduation and will be noted in the student’s permanent Christian Service record. A student can appeal this decision if they have a documented excuse for missing the service deadline (see Appendix 1 for the appeal process).

Students will receive a No Pass (NP) if they fail to meet their semester Christian Service requirement. A No Pass (NP) will remain on the student’s transcript until they meet their semester requirement. The student must complete the past due requirement in order to receive a diploma.

Incomplete service will require a student to complete a Service Completion Plan (SCP) in collaboration with the Christian Service Office. If an SCP is not completed within the same week as the semester Christian Service due date, students will be assigned detention until the plan is completed.

Service Immersion experiences are offered to students each year via community partnerships. We have formed a partnership with Education Across Borders which leads service immersions to the Dominican Republic. Central Catholic does not directly host, plan, or organize our own Service Immersion experiences. Please pay attention to announcements and other forms of communication if you are interested in participating.