Volunteer Opportunities
for Christian Formation & Youth Ministry
General Requirements for all Volunteers with Children and/or Youth
- All volunteers must attend a diocesan required 3 hour VIRTUS Training program - child sexual abuse awareness and prevention training. This is a one-time event. Go here to register.
- All volunteers must complete a Diocesan Background Screening which includes Child Protective Services and ScreeningONE national screening.
- All volunteers who will be catechists (teacher's of the faith) must attend a Pathways Diocesan Catechist Certification Program - this is a one-day event.
- All volunteers will attend an orientation meeting at St. Mary's - Dates TBA.
Children's Programs
Sunday Christian Formation Classes – Catechist: Sunday Catechists will prepare and lead a grade-level, 50 minute lesson from our curriculum “Christ Our Life”, using the teacher’s guide and other resources. Session is held twice a month on Sundays, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. In addition, catechists will lead their class to different “sites” which may include music/movement, drama, art/crafts, story/video, and service project. Catechists may choose the grade they would prefer, 4 years – 5th grade.
Wednesday Christian Formation Classes – Catechist: Wednesday Catechists will prepare and lead a grade-level, 1 hour lesson from our curriculum “Christ Our Life”, using the teacher’s guide and other resources. Sessions are held three times a month on Wednesdays, 4:30 pm – 5:45 pm. Catechists may choose the grade they would prefer, 4 years – 5th grade.
Sunday or Wednesday Christian Formation Classes – Aide: Same information as above, except Aides are present to assist the Catechist. Aides prepare and plan in coordination with the Catechist, with the guidance of the Catechist. Aides may also substitute for those times a Catechist may not be able to attend a session.
Elementary Family Events Team: This team will coordinate the two family events that will be offered during the year. Outlines of the program as well as all resources are provided and this group will “put it all together.”
Vacation Bible School – Please see our Vacation Bible School Webpage (www.stmarysrichmond.org/VBS.html) for a list of opportunities. This year’s Bible School is being held July 12-16.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Prayer Leaders: Prayer Leaders are needed on a rotating basis to plan and conduct a Liturgy of the Word for children, ages 4 through 4th grade. Choice of 9:00 am or 11:00 Mass. Prayer Leaders prepare and proclaim the Scriptures as well as prepare a reflection on the Scripture reading for the children. Commitment is generally one time per month.
Sacrament Preparation Programs
Confirmation Preparation Team Member: Team members facilitate conversation/activities with a small group of students (8-12). Team Members are responsible to review the session beforehand to understand the flow of the workshop and to become familiar with the discussions and activities they will lead. Those Team Members who are comfortable in doing so, may be asked to prepare the large group teaching presentation for a workshop. Commitment is 5 workshops and 5 meetings + Retreat participation and planning.
Confirmation Retreat Helper: Retreat Helpers are needed for the overall organization of the Confirmation retreat. This one-day event needs individuals to gather supplies, provide hospitality, help with set up and clean up, facilitate games, activities, and discussions for small groups.
First Reconciliation & First Eucharist Team Member: Team members help facilitate the preparation workshops for parents and children preparing to celebrate the sacraments. Tasks will include helping gather supplies, set up and clean up, hospitality, facilitating activities and discussions of small groups. Commitment is three workshops and three meetings.
EDGE (Middle School Youth Ministry)
Edge Core Team: Following the curriculum for Youth Ministry outlined by the Edge program, Core Team members plan and prepare for two Catechetical (teaching) Edge Nights each month. Although all team members do not plan each night, all team members do participate each night and meet to go over the plans for the session. Planning meetings happen on a rotating basis. Edge meets Sunday evenings, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. Although not responsible for other events, Core team members are encouraged to attend any other Edge event as a way to socialize and get to know our young people.
Edge Social Events Core Team: This Core Team will plan, prepare and coordinate one social event per month for middle school aged youth. While no “teaching” is involved, team members must be present at each event to help supervise and chaperone the event.
Edge Service Events Core Team: This core team will search out, plan, prepare and coordinate various service opportunities for middle school aged youth to participate in throughout the year. While no “teaching” is involved, team members must be present at each event to help supervise and chaperone the event. Team members also help our young people connect the service they do to the faith they live and the teachings within the Church Social Teachings.
Edge Retreat Team: This group will plan, prepare and lead a one-day or overnight retreat for our Middle School aged youth. Responsibilities will include all aspects of preparation – gathering supplies, securing chaperones, hospitality, leading the retreat (both large group and small group activities, dependent on comfort level), advertising/marketing, etc.
Middle School Summer Workcamp Organizers: This group will meet periodically throughout the school year to plan and prepare to offer an in-house workcamp experience designed for Middle school aged youth, to be offered in the summer of 2011. Since this is new, it is hard to outline all of the details at this time. This group will begin by brainstorming what the event will look like and setting an agenda of items to prepare.
LIFE TEEN (High School Youth Ministry)
Life Teen Core Team: Following the curriculum for Youth Ministry outlined by the Life Teen program and the United States Conference of Bishops, Core Team members plan and prepare for two Catechetical (teaching) Life Nights each month. Although all team members do not plan each night, all team members do participate each night and meet to go over the plans for the session. Planning meetings happen on a rotating basis. Life Teen meets Sunday evenings, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. Although not responsible for other events, Core team members are encouraged to attend any other Life event as a way to socialize and get to know our young people.
Life Teen Social Events Core Team: This Core Team will plan, prepare and coordinate one social event per month for high school aged youth. While no “teaching” is involved, team members must be present at each event to help supervise and chaperone the event.
Life Teen Service Events Core Team: This core team will search out, plan, prepare and coordinate various service opportunities for high school aged youth to participate in throughout the year. While no “teaching” is involved, team members must be present at each event to help supervise and chaperone the event. Team members also help our young people connect the service they do to the faith they live and the teachings within the Church Social Teachings.
Life Teen Retreat Team: This group will plan, prepare and lead a weekend retreat for our High School aged youth. Responsibilities will include all aspects of preparation – gathering supplies, securing chaperones, hospitality, leading the retreat (both large group and small group activities, dependent on comfort level), advertising/marketing, etc.
High School Summer Workcamp Organizers: This group will plan and prepare to send high school youth to a week-long workcamp during the summer months. Responsibilities will include marketing/advertising, fundraising, securing chaperones to attend the camp with our teens, collecting supplies to be taken to workcamp, etc. This planning group will begin meeting as soon as possible because of the marketing/advertising and fundraising necessary to support this endeavor.
Printable Forms and Information
You can print the bulletin flier here (.pdf document)
You can download the above information here (.pdf document)
You can download a Volunteer Sign Up Form here (.pdf document)