The third pillar in the mission statement of Bishop Gorman is to create a community where service is valued and celebrated.  And because of the Gospel mandate to love and serve our neighbors, Bishop Gorman requires its students to participate in 100 hours of Christian service (25/year minimum) as a requirement for graduation from the school.  

The goal of the Bishop Gorman Christian Service program is to help our students engage in acts of justice that promote a living faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  In order to accomplish this goal, we ask that our students primarily engage in activities that fall under or are highly related to the following three areas
:   

Works of Mercy

List of 3 items.

  • Corporal Works of Mercy

    • Feed the hungry
    • Give drink to the thirsty
    • Clothe the naked
    • Shelter the homeless
    • Visit the sick
    • Visit the imprisoned
    • Bury the dead
  • Spiritual Works of Mercy

    • Admonish the sinner
    • Instruct the ignorant
    • Counsel the doubtful
    • Comfort the sorrowful
    • Bear wrongs patiently
    • Forgive all injuries
    • Pray for the living and the dead
  • Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

    • Life and Dignity of the Human Person
    • Call to Family, Community and Participation
    • Rights and Responsibilities
    • Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
    • The Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers
    • Solidarity
    • Care for God's Creation
Bishop Gorman is cognizant of the fact that it is a challenge to organize, provide, and supervise service opportunities for 1,500 students. In addition, the life of a high school student can be extremely busy, such that for some students it may not be possible to engage in 100 hours of Direct service that meet the categorical requirements of the Corporal/Spiritual Works of Mercy or the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

Therefore, Bishop Gorman allows students to engage in Indirect and Organizational Support services as described below. 

Please note: It is both possible, and encouraged, for students to earn hours from all three categories by volunteering through their local parish/church.  Also, we do want to let all students know that you can earn more than 25 hours per year, essentially “front-loading” to complete your service requirements early. 

Types of Service

List of 2 items.

  • Direct Service

    Direct Service is service that involves the student having a direct face to face encounter, working directly with the marginalized (poor and needy).

    Maximum Number of Hours: Unlimited

    Examples: Quantifiable projects that support the Works of Mercy or CST:
    • Mission trips
    • Serving meals to the hungry
    • Encountering the homeless at a shelter or clothing bank
    • Working with people at Matthew's Closet; Operation School Bell; Broken Chains Ministry; Club Christ Ministry; feeding the homeless at Catholic Charities
    Example in a Parish Context: Parish youth group volunteers at Las Vegas Rescue Mission.
  • Indirect Service / Organizational Support

    Maximum Number of Hours: 50 combined (Indirect & Organizational)

    Indirect service
    supports direct service programs and outreach; projects that support humanity.

         Examples: Projects such as: 
      • Making sandwiches/baskets/etc. that will be distributed by other organizations later, "behind the scenes" work needed for direct service
      • Environmental projects that care for God's creation
      • Alzheimer's walk
      • Fund-raising activities for direct service projects
    Example in a Parish context: Students participate in a "Stuff the Truck" food drive  after all Masses on Sunday.
     
    Organizational support is service to a group a student is part of that involves going above and beyond their normal responsibility.

         Examples: 
      • Parish picnics, Parish festivals
      • Service at Mass - above and beyond one's Sunday obligation
      • Concession stands
      • Sports camps
      • Summer camps (that do not serve the poor and needy)
iPad: MobileServe is available for download in the Self Service Center

Bishop Gorman High School

5959 S. Hualapai Way
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Phone: 702-732-1945
Fax: 702-732-8830