8th Grade Bishop Award

D I O C E S E   O F   V I C T O R I A    -    O F F I C E   O F   C A T H O L I C   S C H O O L S
EIGHTH GRADE BISHOP'S AWARD

​PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Diocesan Catholic School Bishop's Award is to encourage students in the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Victoria to realize, intellectually and practically, the intent of Catholic education as stated by the Catholic bishops of the United States. 

"Christian education is intended to make one's faith become living, conscious and active through the light of instruction."
Therefore, all criteria for this award are directed toward the accomplishment of the three goals listed below:

1. The student will learn the Message of Jesus, the Good News. (Christian Doctrine)
2. The student will give witness to the Good News by the manner in which he or she relates with fellow students, teachers and others in the school community. (Formation of Christian Community)
3. The student will use his or her unique, God-given talents to serve God and others for the good of all. (Worship and Service)

ELIGIBILITY:
All eighth-grade students enrolled in a Catholic school in the Diocese of Victoria, who fulfill the stated criteria, are eligible for the Diocesan Catholic School Eighth Grade Bishop's Award.

CRITERIA:
Students must fulfill the following criteria in order to receive the Diocese of Victoria Eighth 
Grade Bishop's Award:
1.  Score at least 85 % on the Diocesan Test of Christian Doctrine. This will include knowledge and understanding of general Christian doctrine including, but not limited to, the following topics:
     a.  The Rosary
          i.  Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries
          ii.  Hail Holy Queen
     b. The Way of the Cross
     c.  Parts of the Mass - Liturgy of the Word & Liturgy of the Eucharist
     d. The Ten Commandments and Two Great Commandments
     e. Beatitudes
     f.  Spiritual Works of Mercy
     g.  Corporal Works of Mercy
     h. Seven Sacraments
     i.  Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit
     j.  The Theological Virtues
     k. The Moral Virtues
     l.  Precepts of the Church
     m. Holy Days of Obligation in the U.S.
     n. The Marks of the Church
2.  Must NOT receive ANY U's (Unsatisfactory grades) in Conduct* on his/her report card in
all subjects throughout the school year.
3. Perform at least 15 hours of apostolic service. (This does not include school or family 
responsibilities.) These hours must be recorded by the student, signed and verified by an adult who witnessed the service on a form provided by the school.
4. The students must know, by memory, the following prayers:
     a. Sign of the Cross
     b. Our Father
     c. Hail Mary
     d. Glory Be
     e. Morning Offering
     f. Grace before Meals
     g. Grace after Meals
     h. Apostles' Creed
     i. Act of Contrition
     j. Memorare
5. The students must receive a favorable rating by the majority of teachers on the Award Review Panel to be eligible to receive the Diocesan Catholic School Eighth Grade Bishop's Award.

*Special Note: The Principal reserves the right, after consultation with the Superintendent, to revoke the Diocesan Catholic School Eighth Grade Bishop's Award at any time for a serious breach of conduct that would reflect poorly on the Catholic School/Diocese of Victoria Catholic School system.