FMCHS Works of Mercy

The ultimate purpose of FMCHS Works of Mercy (also known as the Service Learning Program) is to help students realize that their convictions ought not be confined to the chapel but should permeate every aspect of their lives. A student’s faith is a real and lived experience, exemplified by serving others as St. James reminds us “for just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).

It brings the student into direct service of another person or persons in order for the student to grow in subsidiarity (caring for a need at the most local level possible) and solidarity (recognition of the universal bond between all humans), two key principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

It provides an educational experience for the participating students to challenge them beyond what is known and comfortable, offering insight into the student's vocation, possible future profession, and individual interests.

It is well supervised and can be easily verified by a supervisor (who is normally not a parent) and thoroughly evaluated by the student.

It seeks to educate students in the practice of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (n. 2447) teaches: “The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities…Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.

taken from the Student Handbook, 2022

FMCHS students are required to participate in two components of the FMCHS Service Learning Program in order to prepare them to become selfless and generous adults: individual volunteer opportunities, and school-sponsored Service Days. 

They must demonstrate a living faith by documenting a total of, at minimum, 10 hours as a Freshman, 15 hours as a Sophomore, 20 hours as a Junior, and 25 hours as a Senior. Requirements for mid-year transfer students or foreign exchange students will be proportional with the portion of the year they are attending FMCHS, with the amount to be determined by the Faith Formation Director and the Principal. These individual volunteer opportunities must be submitted via 7Works and are due in full by April 1st. 

The second component, school-sponsored Service Days, do not count towards individual service hour requirements as they take place during the school day. These days are mandatory, and they aim to provide an opportunity to grow in community with each other, while serving the greater community. If a student does not participate in a school-sponsored House service days, the student will be assigned an alternative opportunity similar in substance and length of time to that which was missed.