Marianist Mission Program
Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School Marianist Mission Program
The Gross Catholic Marianist Mission Program promotes and creates leaders in the Marianist tradition. Students are educated for service, justice and peace by offering their time and talents in service to God and others. The Marianist Mission Program promotes growth in discipleship and responsibility while encouraging students to become active Christian leaders who help transform our community. These stated objectives support the 5 Characteristics of a Marianist Education:
- Educating for Formation in Faith.
- Providing an Integral, Quality Education.
- Educating in Family Spirit.
- Educating for Service, Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation.
- Educating for Adaptation and Change.
Each Gross Catholic student is required to complete a minimum of 25 Marianist Mission Program hours each year. However, our current situation finds us in a position to “Educate for Adaptation and Change.”
We would like to encourage our students to begin working on their 25 Marianist Mission Hours as soon as they feel comfortable. Our expectation, however, remains the same: 25 hours of service by the end of the 2020-2021 school year.
In addition to more traditional forms of service (churches, food banks, and other community organizations), this year, in the spirit of adaptation and change, we will accept other forms of service as well.
How does the Marianist Mission Program work?
- Each student is expected to complete a minimum of 25 hours per year.
- All students are required to complete and turn-in their hours no later than the Friday before the Cougar Cup/Field Day (March 26). Students who fail to complete this process by the deadline will not be considered for honor-based awards or activities. Students will also not be allowed to participate in Cougar Cup. They will instead spend the day in service.
- To receive credit for their participation in an approved Marianist Mission Program activity, students must complete their Marianist Mission Program Google Form on a smartphone or other device within 24 hours of completing the service. The Marianist Mission Program Google Form can be found on the Marianist Mission Program Google Classroom. Please review this Google Form prior to your service engagement to make sure all Google Form requirements are met.
As a school working to educate for compassion and leadership, we are dedicated to modelling and assisting students with their Marianist Mission hours. Faculty/staff will work alongside our students to complete some of the required service. In addition, students will report back to their peers about their service experience and share resources that will assist their peers in future service projects.
- 2 Freshman Mission Days will be coordinated by Campus Ministry in the Fall. These opportunities are not required, but are encouraged as the purpose of these Mission Days are two-fold: care for our community and making new friends at Gross Catholic. Each Freshman Mission Day will count as 4 hours of service.
- Dates are TBD
- 2 Sophomore Mission Days will be coordinated by Campus Ministry in the Fall. These opportunities are not required, but are encouraged. Each Sophomore Mission Day will count as 4 hours of service.
- Dates are TBD
- Cougars on a Mission Day will take place on March 30. All students, faculty, and staff will work at various service locations around the Omaha metro. Service locations/activities will be coordinated by Campus Ministry. Attendance at Cougars on a Mission Day is required and counts as a regular day of school. Service conducted on this day will count for 4 hours of service. Additionally, students will be required to complete a reflection on their work. Completion of this reflection will count as an additional 1 hour of service. Students will not be required to log these hours this year; the reflection will act as proof of service.
- The theme of the Junior Retreat is Servant Leadership. All juniors will complete 4 hours of service while on their class retreat.
- Should a student or parent have any questions regarding the process they should contact the Principal.
- Gross Catholic High School Administration reserves the right to determine appropriate implementation of Marianist Mission Program.
This table illustrates the breakdown of hours per grade should a student take advantage of the community-planned service opportunities.
|
Freshman:
*Students must record all of their own hours via the Form in Google Classroom. Freshmen will be trained how to use Google Classroom during the first day of school. Summer hours will be documented at that time. |
Sophomore:
*Students must record all of their own hours via the Form in Google Classroom. |
|
Junior:
*Students must record all of their own hours via the Form in Google Classroom. |
Senior:
*Students must record all of their own hours via the Form in Google Classroom. |
Marianist Mission Program Guidelines:
- Students may not be paid for any portion of their service.
- Students may not serve their immediate family.
- Students must document their service within 24 hours of completing the service.
- If you have a creative idea for service, please contact your Marianist Mission Hour Mentor before completing the service for approval (Freshmen: Mr. Powers; Sophomores: Mrs. Brousek; Juniors: Mrs. Sweetmon, Seniors: Mrs. Matzen).
Additionally, here is a list of low-contact or no-contact service that might be of interest:
- Cleaning crew at church. Most churches are in need of help pre and post Mass.
- Yard or child care for a neighbor or extended family member (without pay)
- Donate blood
- Chalk a park or your neighborhood sidewalks with messages of hope
- Create a video montage of the 3:00 Prayer and then send the link to Mrs. Sweetmon.
- Create a welcome video for new students and then send the link to Mrs. Sweetmon.
- Serve at school Mass. Contact Mrs. Sweetmon for more information.
- Contact Mrs. Jacobson to write welcome letters to new/incoming students.
- Cook and deliver a meal or baked treats to a neighbor, your priest, the police station, your grandparents, etc.
- Commit to prayer and reflection. St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church offers Rapid Reflections for Teens (https://www.stapostle.org/rapid-reflection-for-teens/ ). Create a reflection for one of the themes. Your reflection should be 1 page, single space, Arial. You could use the prompt provided or share your own thoughts on the Scripture or song. Each reflection is worth 1 hour. Submit your reflection to your Marianist Mission Mentor.
- Send a letter to a soldier or veteran (https://www.operationgratitude.com/express-your-thanks/write-letters/)
Gross Catholic will continue to advertise service opportunities on the Marianist Mission Program Google Classroom.
What happens if I don’t complete my Marianist Mission Program hours on-time?
- Any Gross Catholic student who does not complete all 25 of his/her hours by the designated due date will not be allowed to participate in Cougar Cup and will instead spend that day in service.
- In addition, any student who does not complete all 25 of his/her hours will not be considered for honor-based awards or activities, including but not limited to National Honor Society, Student Council, LIFE Core Team, SALT, Student Ambassadors, and end of the year honor/leadership awards.
- All hours completed will be noted on student’s official transcripts.
Finally, remember you must document your service through the Google Classroom. This year’s log form has been updated and is available through the Google Classroom under the Classwork tab. Please FOLLOW DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY!