Called to Serve
In our Catholic faith, the call to service begins with Baptism. When we are welcomed into the family of God, we are called to love and serve others as Christ did. At St. Paul, service is not just something we do; it is an expression of who we are as disciples.
Our students learn that faith without action is incomplete. Through liturgical service, acts of mercy, and spiritual works rooted in our Catholic tradition, they discover that serving others brings us closer to God and to one another. These experiences form the foundation of a life lived in faith, preparing our students to be compassionate leaders who see Christ in every person they meet.
Liturgical Life and Service
Students participate in the sacred life of our parish community as altar servers, ushers, lectors, choir members, and gift bearers. These roles teach reverence, responsibility, and the joy of serving God’s people during Mass. Through these ministries, young people discover their place in the Body of Christ and learn that service to the Church is service to the world. During Lent, students participate in the Rice Bowl program, sacrificing and giving to support those in need around the world. This practice connects our spiritual journey through Lent with concrete action for the poor, teaching students that prayer and service go hand in hand.
Grade-Level Faith in Action
Throughout their years at St. Paul, students engage in service projects that deepen their understanding of Catholic social teaching and the corporal works of mercy. Our Developmental Kindergarten and Kindergarten students bring pure joy to parish senior citizens at our annual Christmas luncheon. This beloved event is the highlight of the year for both our littlest Saints in Progress and our wonderful Parish Senior Ministry. While parent volunteers serve a delicious meal in festive elf aprons, our youngest students fill the room with the most charming, heavenly music imaginable. Our parish seniors look forward to this celebration all year long, and the intergenerational love shared in that room is unforgettable.
These sacred moments bridge generations and remind students that we are all beloved children of God, at every age and stage of life. Each month, a grade hosts Sandwich Builders, a community outreach event where students, parents, and parishioners come together to build sandwiches and lunches for the unhoused to be donated and distributed through the L.A. Mission. Seventh and eighth graders clean dishes and wait tables at grade liturgy dinners, and there are ample opportunities for students to partner with outside organizations like Heal the Bay, the L.A. Marathon, and St. James Inn. This hands-on experience with the corporal works of mercy challenges students to see Christ in the faces of those who are struggling and to respond with dignity and compassion.
Forming Servant Leaders
All 7th and 8th grade students complete a minimum of 10 service hours per year. This requirement is not just about logging hours; it is about forming habits of the heart. Through sustained service, students internalize the truth that we are called not to be served, but to serve.
Our school works closely with our parish outreach team, collaborating on efforts that reach more people, do more good, and multiply our collective impact. Like the loaves and fishes, when we bring our gifts together in service, God multiplies what we offer. Together, school and parish extend Christ’s love ever further into our community and world.
