We are a R.E.A.L. Catholic community that nurtures the whole child through
academic excellence, 21st Century innovation and active Catholic stewardship.

Spirit of Service

Mission Statement

The Spirit of Service committee is comprised of parent volunteers organizing service opportunities that exist in our local community for children and their parents to contribute their time and efforts acting as the Hands and Feet of Christ as a R.E.A.L. Catholic community while building relationships and participating in active Catholic Stewardship.

We have a wonderful group of Saint John XXIII parents have helped further our mission to serve others by bringing us service opportunities that exist in our local community. Periodically this group will post service projects that can be done as a family at off site locations.

These projects are not run by the school so there is no need for permission slips or driver forms! The school will simply pass on the opportunities identified by this sub group of our Catholic Identity Committee and you and your family can participate if you are interested.

We will continue to organize outside events for groups from our community and look forward to the chance to serve as the Hands and feet of Christ alongside you very soon.

Upcoming Opportunities

Spirit of Service

Volunteering is a great way to teach kids about empathy and compassion. And giving your time to help others feels good!  Volunteering with your family can be fun. You might even find that doing an activity together can make your family feel closer.

Kids and teens who volunteer may:

  • See that they can make a difference. Even young kids can learn the value of helping others. Volunteering shows older kids and teens how they can have an impact beyond themselves.
  • Meet people with similar values. Working on a volunteer project often brings together people from different backgrounds, and abilities. Families can build friendships with others who share common interests and values.
  • Practice life skills. Volunteering helps kids build skills and confidence. Kids learn to show up on time and be a member of a team. They might even take on a leadership role. Teens can talk about their volunteer work at a job interview or in a college application.
  • Learn about different careers. Volunteering at a nonprofit, parish or hospital may give your child a glimpse of what it’s like to work there.

Please consider places such as St. Mary’s Food Bank, Saint Vincent DePaul, Mom’s Pantry, Maggies Place, contacting local Senior homes and Catholic Charities main office to see where you can be of service to the community.


FALL 2027 SPIRIT OF SERVICE 

Spirit of Service Fall 2026

 

Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd

 

Gardening at Walton Urban Farms – all ages

Saturday, November 14th, 8:30-11:00am

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4DAAA92CA7FF2-65160249-gardening

 

3RD, 4TH, 5TH GRADE

 

OCJ Kids – care package assembly

Saturday, October 1st, 5-7pm

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4DAAA92CA7FF2-65160329-ocjkids

 

Family Evening Meal and Dream Center (minimum age 9)

Friday, October 16th 3:30-6:30pm

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4DAAA92CA7FF2-65160276-family

 

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6TH, 7TH, 8TH)

 

Mom’s Pantry (minimum age to attend is 9)

Saturday, October 3rd

2 shift options: 9:00-12:00pm or 11:45-2:30pm

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4DAAA92CA7FF2-65243528-moms

 

Miracle League of Arizona

Thursday, October 22nd 6:00-8:00PM 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4DAAA92CA7FF2-65160358-miracle

 

Sleep in Heavenly Peace (Bed building!) NEW

Saturday, November 14th 7:15-11:00am 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4DAAA92CA7FF2-65160680-sleep

 

 

School wide Thanksgiving Event 

Feed My Starving Children 

Friday, November 27th 2:30pm-4:00pm

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4DAAA92CA7FF2-65160384-feed

 

 

A few questions to ask AFTER the service, roughly in order of how they tend to open kids up:

• “What was one thing that surprised you?”

• “What was the best part? What was the hardest part?”

• “Did you notice anything about the people you were helping?”

• “How do you think it felt for them to receive help?”

• “Is there anything you’d do differently next time?”

• “Why do you think this kind of work matters?”

• “Would you want to do this again, or try something different?”

 

A couple of tips on how to ask them:

• Keep it casual — in the car or over a meal works better than a formal debrief

• Ask open-ended questions rather than yes/no ones, and let silences sit; kids often need a moment to think

• Follow their lead — if something surprised or bothered them, dig into that rather than moving down a checklist

• Avoid steering them toward a “right” answer (like “wasn’t that so rewarding?”) — let them land on their own takeaway

For younger kids, simpler and more concrete works better: “What did we do today?” or “Who did we help?” rather than abstract questions about feelings or civic duty.