In keeping with our mission, Sacred Heart Cathedral School seeks to partner with parents, surrounding parishes, and the greater Knoxville community to prepare our students to be disciples of Christ who influence a constantly changing world. Service to others is an integral part of Catholic identity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
“The duty to make oneself a neighbor to others and actively serving them becomes even more urgent when it involves the disadvantaged, in whatever area this may be. ‘As you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers, you did it to me.’” (Catholic Church 1932)
Corporal Works of Mercy, Types of Service, and Required Amounts of Service
The SHCS Service Program requires that service hours incorporate The Corporal Works of Mercy: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the prisoners, and burying the dead.
In the 2025-26 school year, 6th-8th grade students are required to complete the following hours of service. Students in 7th and 8th grade that would like to remain in or qualify for the National Junior Honor Society will need to complete at least half of the yearly service hours and submit them to homeroom teachers by Friday, December 19, 2025. Completed service hours for all Middle School students are due Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
6th grade - 6 hours for the year
7th grade - 7 hours for the year
8th grade - 8 hours for the year
Students can receive credit for direct or indirect service. Direct Service involves face-to-face interactions with those who will benefit from the service. Indirect Service helps another indirectly. When completing indirect service, students are not personally interacting with those who are receiving the service. Example: A student who works at a soup kitchen serving meals performs direct service. A student who collects canned food to donate to a soup kitchen performs indirect service.
Students should complete a service hours documentation form, obtain the signature of a supervising adult (other than the student’s parent/guardian) verifying the completion of the service, and turn this form in to his/her homeroom teacher by the service hours deadline.
Service Opportunities
www.shcathedral.org/cathedral-kids/
Volunteer to help with the kids while parents are in the CAFE program
WHAT IS THE CATHEDRAL KIDS PROGRAM?
Parents who participate in the CAFE program on Wednesday nights can also enroll their children in Cathedral Kids, our innovative faith formation ministry for all Sacred Heart Cathedral children in grades K-5. It provides a dynamic, interactive environment “where faith meets fun!”
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
Children enrolled in the Cathedral Kids ministry will focus on four key components: basic Bible stories, to understand the foundations of our Catholic faith; the essential doctrines as expressed in the Apostles Creed; a virtue of the month to be practiced; and a saint of the month whose example we follow! Also, we will learn about basic Catholic devotions such as the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, Stations of the Cross. Through these activities, we hope to provide opportunities for our children to develop a personal relationship with Jesus and love for his Church.
www.shcathedral.org/childrens-liturgy-of-the-word/
Children’s Liturgy of the Word is offered every Sunday during the 9 and 11 masses. Children ages 4 through 2nd Grade are invited to join us in the Cathedral Hall to enjoy a program in which the Sunday scripture readings are proclaimed and explained on a level appropriate to children.
The children gather with their leaders in front of the altar after the Opening Prayer and are sent forth by the presider. They process to the Cathedral Hall. After a brief Welcome and Opening Prayer, they listen to the First Reading proclaimed from the Children’s Lectionary. They are then led in singing a Psalm and Gospel Acclamation. Next, the Gospel is proclaimed by one of the adult leaders. The leader shares an age-appropriate reflection on the Word through stories, discussions, or pictures – whatever the leader finds most appropriate to convey the meaning of the scriptures. The children are then invited to share their thoughts and ideas. Following this, the children profess a simple Act of Faith, pray their Prayers of Intercession, and finally return to their families at the time of the Presentation of the Gifts.
Volunteers | Ladiesofcharityknox
At Ladies of Charity in Knoxville we operate mostly with volunteers and are always in need of more. There are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities at Ladies of Charity. Please contact us and we will find the right fit for you.
FISH is county wide program that supplies food to those in need. Sacred Heart parishioners are responsible for delivering the food to the families on the 3rd Friday of each month. Volunteers are needed to answer phone calls and to deliver meals. In May of each year, Sacred Heart parishioners supply the food for the cooperative pantry and fill the bags for delivery on Saturdays. This is a great, fun way for your family to work together to help others in need. FISH Delivery contact: Kelley Karnes 865.256.9951 | FISH Pantry contact: Christina or Bruce Pint 865.588.3405.
https://secondharvestetn.org/volunteer/
Volunteers are vital to the operations of Second Harvest Food Bank and our ability to serve all 18 counties. This past year, our volunteers donated 32,000+ hours of their time, completing mission-critical tasks in our community. Volunteer responsibilities include sorting donated items, packing food boxes, distributing food at Mobile Pantries, and helping at special events. Through the generous gift of your time, you can leave an impact here in East Tennessee.
Twenty-five volunteer slots are available per shift. Two shifts (9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) are available Tuesday through Saturday each week.
www.zooknoxville.org/support/volunteer/
The Zoo Knoxville Youth Volunteer Program is designed for students ages 13-17 that have an interest in animal care, wildlife conservation, and education. Through their participation, youth volunteers will receive hands-on experience in the fields of animal care, zoology, and conservation. They will also work to develop leadership, communication, and customer service skills, all while learning advocacy for themselves and for their environment. This program is a great learning experience, as well as a great addition to a college/career resume!
https://www.young-williams.org/community-involvement/#paws
Paws for Reading
Paws for Reading is a program that helps individuals in the community and our animals that are available for adoption. Community members practice their reading skills by reading to animals, and in turn, the animals experience the power of the human-animal bond and become more adoptable through socialization.
Project Linus National Headquarters is located in Belton, Missouri. National President Patty Gregory and Vice President Mary Balagna direct and orchestrate the activities of Project Linus chapters located across the United States. Patty has been involved with the organization in the Kansas City area since April 2000 and Mary in Central Illinois since late 1998, as chapter coordinators and now as directors and officers. Mary also maintains a very busy chapter, donating an average of 350 blankets every month to local children. With chapters in all 50 states, Project Linus continues to grow. Blankets are collected locally and distributed to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies, or anywhere that a child might be in need of a big hug.