F.I.A.T.
Christian Service F.I.A.T. Program Faith In Action Together
All juniors and seniors are required to participate in at least one FIAT program each year. The word “fiat” refers to Mary’s answer to the angel Gabriel when she said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you have said.” Bishop Stang High School uses F.I.A.T. as an acronym for Faith In Action Together. Mary’s fiat said “yes” to bringing Christ into the world. Our fiat is our “yes” to bringing Christ into the world.
Each F.I.A.T program includes an educational, service, and reflective component, all of which are essential to the program and therefore required. Below is a brief description of each service opportunity. Juniors should see Mrs. Wild with any questions and seniors should see Mrs. Dias.
My Brother’s Keeper: Dedicated to bringing “The love and hope of Jesus Christ to those they serve”, volunteers at My Brother’s Keeper deliver furniture and food to local families in need. Students must volunteer three times at any point throughout the year. Students must complete a reflection with Mrs. Dias during the month they complete their service. (Mrs. Dias) www.mybrotherskeeper.org
Catholic Social Services Christmas Project: The month before Christmas (dates TBD), students will choose gifts for needy families from the donations given to Catholic Social Services and then box and wrap the gifts for distribution. https://www.cssdioc.org/gift-of-giving/ (Mrs. Wild)
Gifts To Give: Typically completed in March (dates TBD), this project will involve the solicitation of lightly used children’s books, clothing, toys, etc. from friends and family and assisting the agency to process those gifts for distribution to needy children. Please be advised that Gifts to Give is requiring all volunteers to have been vaccinated for COVID-19. (Mrs. Habershaw) www.giftstogive.org
Walk for Multiple Sclerosis: A consciousness-raising project held on a Sunday in April involving the planning, participation, and securing of pledges to support the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Students will walk in support of the team “Patty’s Pals”. http://www.nationalmssociety.org - (Mr. Kennedy)
Heart Walk Book Drive: This project will involve gathering and selling books to benefit the Flynn/Silva Heart Walk Team. This event is tentatively scheduled for April 1, 2023. (Ms. Silva)
Parish Community Participation: Participation in parish sponsored ministry including Religious Education and Music Ministry, Altar Serving, Lectoring, CCD instructor, etc. Regularly scheduled meetings will be held throughout the year for reflection. Service to your parish community should be completed by May 1st. See Mr. Gannon for information regarding this FIAT if you would like to serve your parish communities. (Mr. Gannon)
Missions For Humanity: This is a consciousness-raising project involving a variety of ways to support people living in some of the poorest communities of Honduras and Tanzania. The service component to this FIAT is TBD. (Dr. Butler + Ms. Quintin) https://www.missionsforhumanity.org/
Community After-School Service Programs: Programs include extensive participation in coaching, tutoring, mentoring, and other service to the greater community (example- volunteering at the Buttonwood Park Zoo). If you are choosing this option for your FIAT, you need to see Ms. Pimentel to receive the required paperwork and the service should be completed by May 1st. (Mrs. Pimentel)
Audible Local Leger (ALL): Do you love to read and help people? ALL is a reading program that broadcasts a radio network to provide reading to the blind and those with low vision. From reading periodicals, newspapers, short stories, shopping guides, the radio, community calendars, and other material only available in print, the ALL ultimately “turns print into sound”. Where do you come in? You can offer your time to read and record to help ALL reach the blind and low vision community! This is a great opportunity for Juniors and Seniors looking for a community service that does not require travel. Students must complete 3 readings to fulfill their FIAT requirement. (Mrs. O'Leary + Mrs. Gendreau).
Happy Hope Factory: The Message of Hope Foundation/Happy Hope Factory provides hope bags/kits to children who are hospitalized due to serious illness or disability. Kits are also sent to disadvantaged children who may be in a shelter or not have access to basic needs. Students will assist by coloring and putting together toothbrush kids for children. Be a ray of sunshine and help create healthy and happy smiles! There is a $5.00 donation requested for this FIAT. Dates TBD. (Mrs. Woods) https://messageofhopefoundation.org/about/
Sharing the Harvest Community Farm: Saturday, October 23rd 9-11am spend time outside volunteering at the Sharing the Harvest Community Farm in Dartmouth. Sharing the Harvest is a volunteer-driven community farm established in 2006 as a grassroots effort to fight hunger and help feed our neighbors in need. All produce and cage-free eggs are donated to 20 local hunger relief programs throughout the Southcoast region.Sharing the Harvest Community Farm is a collaboration between the Dartmouth YMCA and the United Way of Greater New Bedford’s Hunger Commission. (Mrs. Vescio)
Walt's Mobile Closet: Walt's Mobile Closet serves the South Coast with a free mobile shopping event providing clothing and other goods. They partner with agencies and organizations who assist those in our communities that are in need. There will be various volunteering opportunities throughout the year to assist this organization.
St. Julie Billiart Service Award: "Making Known the Goodness of God" The St. Julie Billiart Service Award is awarded to any student who completes 150 hours or more of documented, verified service in a given year. The time span to complete the service is from June 1st to May 31st. The 150 hours may include up to 25 hours of service performed at Bishop Stang High School (even these must be documented and verified). Please see below for the required paperwork.
