Volunteer Opportunities
A. SACRAMENTAL MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES:
First Reconciliation/First Communion Catechist: - Working in pairs, the First Reconciliation/First Communion catechists will lead a class of 8-12 children in the parish center as they prepare to receive the sacraments. There will be four 1 1/2 hour session for Reconciliation and five 1 1/2 hour session for Eucharist, plus a mini retreat (3 hours). Textbooks, teachers' manuals and training will be provided.
Commitment: Two trinity training/planning meetings, nine class sessions, additional training as needed.
Qualifications:
Must have basic catechetical certification or working towards it (programming will be offered in the fall), or equivalent experience (approved by Director of Faith Formation), must have completed the Protecting God's Children child abuse awareness program (sessions will be offered in the fall).
First Reconciliation/First Communion Session Leader- Leads opening and closing prayer ritual for individual class sessions. Works with Director of the program and other leaders to coordinate retreat activities and other miscellaneous program details, including helping run Communion rehearsals. One or two session leaders are needed for each day of classes. Session leaders can also be catechists.
Commitment: Catechist meetings, plus one or two additional meetings.
Qualifications: Must be able to lead large groups, must have basic catechetical certification or working forwards it (programming will be offered in the fall), or equivalent experience (approved by Director of Faith Formation), must have completed the Protecting God's Children child abuse awareness program (sessions will be offered in the fall).
Confirmation Catechists- Working in pairs, the Confirmation catechists will lead a class of 10-12 youth in the parish center as they prepare to receive the sacrament. There will be seven 2-hour sessions for Confirmation I and five 2-hour sessions for Confirmation II. Textbook resources, teachers' guides and training will be provided.
Commitment: 2-year term, one training/planning meeting per year, thirteen class sessions, additional training as needed.
Qualifications: Must have basic catechetical certification or working towards it (programming will be offered in the fall), or equivalent experience (approved by Director of Faith Formation), must have completed the Protecting God's Children child abuse awareness program (sessions will be offered in the fall).
RCIA Catechists- The RCIA Catechist leads and facilitates sessions with participants in RCIA, by sharing reflections on scripture with them, drawing them into reflections of their own, and providing guidance and answers to questions on the catechism of the Catholic Church showing how Christians live lives following the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Commitment: Weekly Sunday morning sessions, participation in rites, overall mentoring of candidates.
Baptismal Preparation Leaders: Baptism preparation leaders are married couples who will share their faith with and help prepare parents for their child's Baptism. Basic training will be provided. Baptisms are offered on the second and fourth Sundays each month and there is one 1 1/2 hour training session for parents the week before the Baptism. One couple is needed to lead each training, so leaders can rotate weekends.
Commitment: 1 1/2 hours during the week before Baptism (with an option to assist at the Sunday Baptism) - once every six to eight weeks, depending on the number of couples involved.
Qualifications: A faith-filled, Catholic couple: training will be provided.
Baptism Program Prayer Partner Coordinator: The prayer partner coordinator(s) will recruit members of the parish community to commit to keeping a newly baptized child in their prayers for one year. Responsibilities include making phone calls, keeping bulletin announcements current, and soliciting "welcome cards" from children of the parish for the new babies.
Commitment: Do the above activities, as needed, on your own time schedule.
INTEGENERATIONAL LEARNING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
(GERNERATIONS OF FAITH)
:
GOF Design Team: The
Design Team meets several months prior to the preparation sessions to begin design work around the event and theme that has been selected by the Core Team when they created the curriculum. These meetings will take place once a month. The Design Team will also help create the learning materials as well as provide the Core Team with ideas and input for all-ages activities, home-kit and refection activities. There will be three main design groups: Elementary, Youth and Adult. The K-1 design plan will be adapted from the elementary plan and the plan for the grades 5 & 6 group will be created from a combination of elements from both the elementary and the youth design ideas. Ideally the design team members are also members of the implementation team either as lead facilitators or group leaders, however, this is not absolutely necessary.
Commitment: monthly meetings, background research prior to meeting.
Qualifications: must have basic catechetical certification or equivalent experience (approved b Director of Faith Formation), and must have solid understanding of the Generations of Faith vision.
GOF Lead Facilitators:
For each individual GOF session, on any given day, there will be a lead facilitator in charge of each age level grouping: Adult, High School, Middle School (7&8), Grades 5&6, Grades 2, 3, &4 with parents, and Grades K &1. The lead facilitator will be responsible for leading any opening prayer, discussion or activity for the whole (age level) group, providing direction for the rest of the activities and coordinating the team of other leaders/catechists on board for that session. The lead facilitator may also take on a smaller group of learners as a group leader if necessary. The lead facilitators will also sometimes be asked to participate in all ages opening activity at the beginning of the Generations of Faith session. This could be as simple as reading a scripture passage or a simple part in a skit or role-play. Lead facilitators should be willing to lead on a day other than the day that their family attends, or have arrangements made so that he or she is not "needed" by their family - it is hard, and not helpful to the family or the program to try to do both at the same time. Also, volunteers are always welcome to attend the adult in-depth session on any other day.
Commitment: one monthly theological training on current subject (or on-line training), one monthly "dress rehearsal" for each GOF session, must be willing to come to GOF session 1/2 hour early to prepare and meet with group.
Qualifications: must have basic catechetical certification or working towards it (programming will be offered in the fall), or equivalent experience (approved by Director of Faith Formation), must have solid understanding of the Generations of Faith vision, must have completed the Protecting God's Children child abuse awareness program (sessions will be offered in the fall).
Group Leaders/Catechists:
Under the direction of the lead facilitator, the group leaders will take a group through the in-depth learning portion of the preparation session. Adult leaders will most likely be asked to lead small group discussions and activities. High school and middle school leaders will be responsible for a small group of students, keeping the same group for the entire year, leading activities and discussion and working with the other leaders assigned the same day. Group leaders in the grades-2 to 4-with parent group will guide small groups of families, parents and children, through the learning activities, staying with the same family group for the course of the year. The K-1 leaders will lead a class of children together (typically without parents, however, parents are welcome to stay). Group leaders should be willing to lead on a day other than the day that their family attends, or have arrangements made so that he or she is not "needed" by their family - it is hard and not helpful to the family or the program to try to do both at the same time. Also, volunteers are always welcome to attend the adult in-depth session on any other day.
Commitment: one monthly theological training on current subject (or on-line training), one monthly "dress rehearsal" for each GOF session, must be willing to come to GOF session early to prepare and meet with group.
Qualifications: must have basic catechetical certification or working towards it (programming will be offered in the fall), or equivalent experience (approved by Director of Faith Formation), must have solid understanding of the Generations of Faith vision, must have completed the Protecting God's Children child abuse awareness program (sessions will be offered in the fall).
"Play and Pray" Leader:
Provide childcare for young children. Provide structured activities, such as reading storybooks, singing songs and playing simple games while allowing for unstructured free play as well.
Commitment: Monthly sessions, periodic meetings (probably two for the year).
Qualifications: Must have completed the Protecting God's Children child abuse awareness program (sessions will be offered in the fall).
Music Ministry:
Those with a gift for music, singing or playing an instrument are invited to lead the gatherings's in song.
Commitment:monthly session, practice of music.
Meal Preparation and Service Coordinators for GOF meals:
A different meal coordinator is needed for each GOF session. The meal coordinator will work with the GOF Coordinators and other Meal Coordinators to plan meals for each month. Responsible for confirming household participation and providing them instructions for the various duties. Also coordinate with GOF Coordinator regarding need for paper products and other non food items.
Hospitality Coordinators for GOF event fellowship:
Coordinate set up, service and clean up of refreshments for after-mass fellowship and other event receptions. Coordinators will be given a schedule of events, guidelines for what is needed, plus a list of volunteer households to contact for each event.
Commitment: presence at the event, planning time.
Set up/Serving/Clean up/Hospitality Crew:
Under the direction of the Food Preparation and Service Coordinators, teams of households will work together on their assigned day to help set up for meals, serve meals and clean up after the meals. Also includes greeting and checking in people as they arrive, distributing home kits, and removing signs and decorations after the program. Households will sign up for one month in which to help.
Commitment: One monthly session as chosen on registration form.
Home kit and learning materials prep team:
Volunteers on this team meet at the church to assemble home kits for each pre session and also are available to help with the production of learning materials as needed.
Commitment: Meet once a month, during the day, to assemble the home kits and whatever else is needed.
Miscellaneous Runner:
There is always a need for people to do errands, such as deliver items to Lazarus House, or shop for or pick up items that are needed for a particular program from craft supplies to meal items. The commitment would be sporadic and volunteers would be called on an as-needed basis.
Creative arts and Environment team:
Under the direction of the Arts and Environment Coordinator, the Creative arts and environment team is responsible for making things look great! Activities will include creating appropriate table centerpieces, activity station set up/direction boards, banners, posters, miscellaneous props, decorative symbols, etc. that enhance the theme of the faith formation gathering. It's a great opportunity to share one's creative talents in the form of visual arts, while enriching the faith experience of individuals and families.
Commitment: Team members should commit to meeting.
Creative Arts and Environment Coordinator:
Under the direction of the GOF Coordinator, the Arts and Environment Coordinator will coordinate the team volunteers to make sure the creative projects are completed as needed, and within budget. This includes communicating with team members and coordinating both projects that can be done at home and those that will be done as a team at the church.
Commitment: Must meet regularly with GOF Coordinators to plan the environmental/creative needs for the faith formation gathering, plus any additional meetings to coordinate team members.
Qualifications: Must be/become familiar with the principles and practices, have solid understanding of the Generations of Faith vision, must have a creative knack or flair, must be organized.
Publicity and Promotion Team:
One or up to a few people are needed to Write articles for the parish newsletter or bulletin, local and diocesan newspapers. Take and manage photos of events and work with the Arts and Environment team to design promotional materials (advertisements, brochures, posters, etc.).
Service Project Coordinators:
Individuals are needed to coordinate various service projects though the year, such as the Lazarus House Easter Basket project, Family Flea Market, food collections. Operation Rice Bowl, etc.
Commitment: Miscellaneous one-time projects.
Creative and Performing Arts:
Anybody with a gift in this area that would like to share this with others in an opening or closing production or other area of the program will be asked on an as-needed basis.
Youth Ministry Opportunities
Youth - Peer Leadership: As a peer leader, youth entereing grades 10-12 will name and claim their gifts and the figts of others while developing their planning, negotiation, communication, lestening and decision making skills in a setting wit their peers. Whithin this context, youth will identify the needs of their peers to propse and plan youth ministry events and opportunities.
Youth "creative arts": Are you a singer? Do you play an instrument? Like to dance? We are looking for YOU! Crank up the colume on the youth choir! Raise the roof with your musical talents! WOW our parishioners with liturgical dance! Volunteer to use your talents and see how your worship experience changes!
Adult Leaders: As an adult leader willing to assist in planning the calendar, recruiting the participants leading events, creating props, sending out emails, creating mailing lists and'or other necessary leadership tasks, you will serve in a vital role for helping youth ministry flourish in our parish. The time commitment is flexible, a monthly committee meeting will be established to create community and provide opportunities for growth. Adult leaders are needed to focus on Middle School ministry and High School ministry.
