At Cor Jesu Academy, senior year theology looks different.

Theology 465: Charism & Service is not centered on lectures alone, but on encounter. Rooted in Catholic social teaching and lived service, the course asks students to step beyond comfort, build real relationships and discover how faith takes shape through action.

Designed by former faculty member Sister Clara Johnson, ASCJ, the course reflects a belief that God is often encountered through others. What began as her personal experience has grown into a transformative capstone for seniors. Through intentional community engagement, students learn what it means to live Cor Jesu’s mission, sharing the love of the Heart of Christ in a world marked by both need and dignity.

Throughout the year, students engage with social issues across St. Louis, exploring them through the lens of the Gospel. They study human dignity, economic justice, care for creation and the dignity of work, then move from reflection to response through service. The goal is not charity alone, but relationship. Students are encouraged to encounter those they serve as neighbors, not projects, and to allow those relationships to shape their understanding of justice, faith and responsibility.

For many students, this experience becomes deeply personal.

For Layla Birner ’26, purpose came into focus while volunteering with elementary-age students at Cardinal Ritter Senior Living. She shared that the most impactful part was helping preserve dignity for residents, noting that even small moments, like sitting with them and playing games or talking, mattered more than expected.

For Nora Cooke ’26, the experience affirmed a lifelong calling. She has always known she wanted to become a doctor, but her time in Charism & Service clarified her desire to pursue neuroscience. Through her work with patients, she became curious about how the brain works and how compassion can intersect with medicine. “Nora said it helped me see the kind of doctor I want to be.”

The impact of this course often extends well beyond graduation.

Giana Crutcher ’25, who volunteered at St. Anthony’s Food Pantry during the course, continues to serve the same community while attending Marquette University. Her commitment is a reflection of the lasting relationships and habits of service formed during her time at Cor Jesu.

Each year, students partner with organizations across the St. Louis community. These have included:

• Affton Christian Food Pantry
• Bethesda Dilworth
• Cardinal Ritter Senior Services
• Froebel Literacy Center
• One Classroom
• St. Anthony’s Food Pantry
• St. Justin Martyr
• St. Michael the Archangel
• Slamapalooza Scholarship Fundraiser
• YWCA South County

Charism & Service is designed to do exactly that. It helps students connect faith to lived experience, discover purpose beyond themselves and recognize Christ in the faces of others.

In giving, students learn what Cor Jesu has always taught: we receive far more than we expect.