School Wide Service Projects
In keeping with our school’s three primary commitments of worship, study and service, St. Joseph Catholic School will not only provide our students with a rigorous academic environment, and opportunities to worship as a Catholic community, but will also seek to immerse our students in the rich heritage of Catholic Social Justice through service to others. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, "To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, his brethren" (no. 1397). Therefore, the seven themes of Catholic social teaching as listed below should not only be at the core of our Catholic curriculum, but should also be lived out in the lives of every Catholic. It is part of our mission as Catholics and as educators to teach our children to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
The seven themes of Catholic social justice:
1. Life and Dignity of the Human Person
2. Call to Family, Community, and Participation
3. Rights and Responsibilities
4. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
5. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
6. Solidarity
7. Care for God’s Creation
Year-long Annual Service: St. Joseph has an on-going service project and relationship with The Wales Apartments--an assisted living residence for special-needs adults in the Dallas area. They are under the umbrella organization, Lifenet. The residents are not able to purchase toilet paper with food stamps. Many have health issues that cause them to be in more need and even less able to purchase items for themselves. Every month, our classes take turns providing toilet paper and sack lunches for the residents. It is a blessing to them and a learning opportunity for us.
2019-20 Service Projects
Monthly: Each of our grade levels takes a month to prepare snacks and supply paper products to residents at the Wales Apartments
September: The Great Cookie Caper to benefit Hike for Life
November: Canned food drive to benefit the North Texas Food Bank
Christmas Toy Drive and Buck-A- Jean Day to benefit Network of Community Ministries
Past Service Projects
November 2018: Canned food drive to benefit the North Texas Food Bank
April 2018: Collection of personal hygiene items for New Beginning Center, a crisis center for victims of domestic violence in the Garland area.
March 2018: Our students will be making Easter Cards for Meals on Wheels recipients.
January & February 2018: Collection of small gift cards to fast food restaurants and paper products for City House residents
December 2017: Student collection of crayons, coloring books, and activity books for Children's Hospital in Dallas and a staff service day at the Samaritan Inn.
November 2017: Canned food drive to benefit the North Texas Food Bank.
October2017: Gift Card collection for hurricane victims.
May 2017: Pennies for Paul. Students will bring in change for the St. Vincent de Paul society.
March/April 2017: Staff Service Project
February 2017: Collection of personal hygiene items for New Beginning Center, a crisis center for victims of domestic violence in the Garland area.
January 2017: Students made Valentines for Meals on Wheels recipients and our school community collected individual snack cups and small gift cards for City House residents.
December 2016: Student collection of crayons, coloring books, and activity books for Children's Hospital in Dallas.
November 2016: Canned food drive to benefit the North Texas Food Bank and a staff service day at the Samaritan Inn.
October 2016: Canned food drive to benefit The Network of Community Ministries--a food bank that serves our Richardson and Garland neighbors.
September 2016: Collected hoodies for children living at the Samaritan Inn homeless shelter in McKinney
April 2016: Pennies for Paul. Students will bring in change for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
March 2016: Collection of personal hygiene items for New Beginning Center, a crisis center for victims of domestic violence in the Garland area
January & February 2016: Project Gabriel collection of diapers, wipes, baby toiletries, receiving blankets, baby clothes, and crib mattresses. Project Gabriel assists pregnant women with their long or short-term emotional, spiritual, and material needs.
December 2015: Student collection of crayons, coloring books, and activity books for Children's Hospital in Dallas.
November 2015: Canned food drive to benefit the North Texas Food Bank and the Network of Community Ministries--a food bank that serves our Richardson and Garland neighbors.
October 2015: Coat drive in partnership with our neighbors in the Richardson Public Schools. Students will collect new and/or gently used coats to be donated to children who do not have one.
April 2015: Collection of personal hygiene items for the Garland Shelter for Women and Children. Donations may include any size toothpaste, shampoo, soap, lotions, or other personal hygiene item.
March 2015: Students will make Easter cards to be delivered to our neighbors served by Meals on Wheels. We hope to share the joy of the Risen Christ with all who receive our Easter greetings!
February 2015: Collection of diapers, wipes, gently used strollers, and new car seats for Project Gabriel--part of the Diocese of Dallas Pro-Life committee.
January 2015: "Souper Bowl of Caring" in which our students will bring in canned soup for our local food pantry and a pajama collection for the children at Jonathan's Place in Garland. Jonathan's Place is a crisis shelter for children under the age of ten in Dallas County
December 2014: Student collection of crayons, coloring books, and activity books for Children's Hospital in Dallas.
November 2014: Canned food drive to benefit the Network of Community Ministries--a food bank that serves our Richardson and Garland neighbors.
October 2014: Coat drive in partnership with our neighbors in the Richardson Public Schools. Students will collect new and/or gently used coats to be donated to children who do not have one.
September 2014: Student collection of new backpacks and school supplies for Jonathan's Place in Garland. Jonathan's Place is a crisis shelter for children under the age of ten in Dallas County
The seven themes of Catholic social justice:
1. Life and Dignity of the Human Person
2. Call to Family, Community, and Participation
3. Rights and Responsibilities
4. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
5. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
6. Solidarity
7. Care for God’s Creation
Year-long Annual Service: St. Joseph has an on-going service project and relationship with The Wales Apartments--an assisted living residence for special-needs adults in the Dallas area. They are under the umbrella organization, Lifenet. The residents are not able to purchase toilet paper with food stamps. Many have health issues that cause them to be in more need and even less able to purchase items for themselves. Every month, our classes take turns providing toilet paper and sack lunches for the residents. It is a blessing to them and a learning opportunity for us.
2019-20 Service Projects
Monthly: Each of our grade levels takes a month to prepare snacks and supply paper products to residents at the Wales Apartments
September: The Great Cookie Caper to benefit Hike for Life
November: Canned food drive to benefit the North Texas Food Bank
Christmas Toy Drive and Buck-A- Jean Day to benefit Network of Community Ministries
Past Service Projects
November 2018: Canned food drive to benefit the North Texas Food Bank
April 2018: Collection of personal hygiene items for New Beginning Center, a crisis center for victims of domestic violence in the Garland area.
March 2018: Our students will be making Easter Cards for Meals on Wheels recipients.
January & February 2018: Collection of small gift cards to fast food restaurants and paper products for City House residents
December 2017: Student collection of crayons, coloring books, and activity books for Children's Hospital in Dallas and a staff service day at the Samaritan Inn.
November 2017: Canned food drive to benefit the North Texas Food Bank.
October2017: Gift Card collection for hurricane victims.
May 2017: Pennies for Paul. Students will bring in change for the St. Vincent de Paul society.
March/April 2017: Staff Service Project
February 2017: Collection of personal hygiene items for New Beginning Center, a crisis center for victims of domestic violence in the Garland area.
January 2017: Students made Valentines for Meals on Wheels recipients and our school community collected individual snack cups and small gift cards for City House residents.
December 2016: Student collection of crayons, coloring books, and activity books for Children's Hospital in Dallas.
November 2016: Canned food drive to benefit the North Texas Food Bank and a staff service day at the Samaritan Inn.
October 2016: Canned food drive to benefit The Network of Community Ministries--a food bank that serves our Richardson and Garland neighbors.
September 2016: Collected hoodies for children living at the Samaritan Inn homeless shelter in McKinney
April 2016: Pennies for Paul. Students will bring in change for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
March 2016: Collection of personal hygiene items for New Beginning Center, a crisis center for victims of domestic violence in the Garland area
January & February 2016: Project Gabriel collection of diapers, wipes, baby toiletries, receiving blankets, baby clothes, and crib mattresses. Project Gabriel assists pregnant women with their long or short-term emotional, spiritual, and material needs.
December 2015: Student collection of crayons, coloring books, and activity books for Children's Hospital in Dallas.
November 2015: Canned food drive to benefit the North Texas Food Bank and the Network of Community Ministries--a food bank that serves our Richardson and Garland neighbors.
October 2015: Coat drive in partnership with our neighbors in the Richardson Public Schools. Students will collect new and/or gently used coats to be donated to children who do not have one.
April 2015: Collection of personal hygiene items for the Garland Shelter for Women and Children. Donations may include any size toothpaste, shampoo, soap, lotions, or other personal hygiene item.
March 2015: Students will make Easter cards to be delivered to our neighbors served by Meals on Wheels. We hope to share the joy of the Risen Christ with all who receive our Easter greetings!
February 2015: Collection of diapers, wipes, gently used strollers, and new car seats for Project Gabriel--part of the Diocese of Dallas Pro-Life committee.
January 2015: "Souper Bowl of Caring" in which our students will bring in canned soup for our local food pantry and a pajama collection for the children at Jonathan's Place in Garland. Jonathan's Place is a crisis shelter for children under the age of ten in Dallas County
December 2014: Student collection of crayons, coloring books, and activity books for Children's Hospital in Dallas.
November 2014: Canned food drive to benefit the Network of Community Ministries--a food bank that serves our Richardson and Garland neighbors.
October 2014: Coat drive in partnership with our neighbors in the Richardson Public Schools. Students will collect new and/or gently used coats to be donated to children who do not have one.
September 2014: Student collection of new backpacks and school supplies for Jonathan's Place in Garland. Jonathan's Place is a crisis shelter for children under the age of ten in Dallas County