Social Justice and Charity activities

All staff will be in-serviced early in the fall to learn/refresh the difference between “Charity” and “Justice” and the need to achieve both in our school-based efforts to follow the gospel call to serve those who are poor, sick, imprisoned, victimized and oppressed.  At the in-service, we will also present our reasons why supporting our Catholic charities and agencies is a priority, and how to ethically support agencies whose philosophies may conflict with Catholic teachings (e.g. Cancer embryonic stem cell research, Amnesty funding of abortion, etc.)

We will strive to coordinate charity and justice efforts into a monthly calendar in order to reduce overlap, competition, donor fatigue and last-minute advertising of fundraising events.  Department heads and team/club advisors will receive permission from the principal first before launching fundraisers, charity drives, awareness events, loose change collections, and anything that asks the wider parent community to donate money or goods, etc.

Students will be encouraged to act locally and globally through World Issues Group, classroom activities, Chaplaincy, Green Club, and Student Council.  The Chaplain will coordinate field trips that promote solidarity with those who are poor and oppressed.

Toys for Tots Advent Drive and the Thanksgiving and Easter Food Drives will again support the local community, while the school-wide Mission Project during Lent will support justice work overseas.  Emergency relief fundraisers will also happen as needed with funds channeled through Catholic relief agencies such as D&P, whenever possible.

Funding for breakfast and lunch programs for students in financial need will be researched and applied for as soon as possible.  We will encourage and provide opportunities for healthy eating.