Discipleship (Volunteer Service)
Service is a vital part of Christian living. To follow Christ’s example we must learn how to pour out our very lives for one another. As part of our preparation for Confirmation, we will explore how to be Christ for others and see Christ in others.
The service component of Confirmation preparation is asked by the Bishops in order to provide candidates with a variety of experiences and opportunities to share their gifts in a few of the many ways the Catholic community answers Christ’s command to love one’s neighbor.
We have divided the volunteer hours into three distinct ministries of our Catholic Faith.
Group Service Nights, Church Volunteer Service and Family/Community Service.
Group Service Nights (10 Hours, Minimum):
Group Service Nights will take place throughout the two years of preparation in conjunction with the young person’s small group sessions. Each small group will participate in activities over six nights spread throughout the Confirmation Preparation Process. Four of these nights will take place during the first year of preparation and two are scheduled for the second year. The goals for these nights are:
To learn about the agency/service project.
To participate in the service experience.
To reflect on the experience.
Service Nights allow candidates to live out their baptismal call by sharing their time and gifts with the people of God. In the Gospel of Matthew (Mt. 25:31-46), Jesus gives us practical (and specific) instructions on how we should serve the needs of others and God at the same time. We want candidates to recognize that this is the mission of the Church (as well as their mission) and to give them a chance to experience it first-hand.
Group Service Nights may be planned by the Director of Confirmation, the catechist, or the small group itself. Some nights will take place at the church, while others will occur at the local agency. When occurring at the agency, all candidates will report directly to the agency, rather than the church. Attendance will be taken and reported to either Our Lady of the Lakes or St. Mary’s faith formation site by 7:15 pm. The Director of Confirmation will communicate with parents and teens regarding the specifics of each Group Service Night within a few weeks of the Service Night occurring.
Church Volunteer Service (5 Hours, Minimum):
The aim of this type of service is to provide candidates with experiences that can help them explore or deepen the many (and often unique) ways in which we pray, worship, and serve as a Catholic community.
Some examples are:
Altar Server, Lector, Usher, Greeter, Art & Environment, Projectionist/Sound Board (Carol or Wendy)
Choir/Instrumentalist for Mass (Tim)
Children’s Liturgy of the Word - during 10:00 am at OLOL or St. Mary (Barb)
Faith Formation Aid - Grades 1-6 (Barb, Erin or Julie)
Vacation Bible School - First full week of June from 8:00 am-noon (Christine)
Fall Festival (Carol or Helaine)
Other Groups’ Events: KCs, CCW, D of I, Parish Society, Catholic United Financial, etc. (Carol or Wendy)
Barb Garding: [email protected]
Carol Lee: [email protected]
Christine Pinto: [email protected]
Erin Wendt: [email protected]
Helaine Bolter: [email protected]
Julie Swoboda: [email protected]
Wendy Streed: [email protected]
Tim Cayler: [email protected]
Family/Community Volunteer Service (5 Hours, Minimum):
The aim of Family and community service is to provide candidates with an opportunity to follow Jesus’ teaching and put their faith into action in ways that help to build up families and the greater community. This ministry emphasizes the recognition of our own unique gifts, talents, and interests as gifts from God and to use those gifts to make our world a better place.
Just a few of the thousands of examples of Family/Community Service (Discipleship):
About Volunteer Ministry – Young people have a tremendous capacity and energy to perform great works of charity (love). Most do this with vitality and joy. What a blessing!
Our youth are not the future of the Church; they are a vital part of the Church TODAY. The Catholic Church needs the optimism, the perspective and the energy of our teens in abundance. To this end, we invite all of our candidates to dig into their volunteer efforts with the same focus and enthusiasm as many of their other interests or hobbies. If not for their own sake (satisfaction of helping others, learning more about your faith/God, discovering an area of passion, etc.), then for the sake of a Church and a planet that desperately need their ideas, energy, and example.
While the Confirmation Director and the catechist will undoubtedly be able to suggest or highlight opportunities for ministry please remember that each candidate is responsible for finding his/her own volunteer opportunities and tracking his/her own hours. After completing service please submit updates for our records. Please keep a master copy of all your Confirmation commitments for your own records. We will review this record both in the small faith sharing group sessions and through email correspondence from the Director of Confirmation.
The service component of Confirmation preparation is asked by the Bishops in order to provide candidates with a variety of experiences and opportunities to share their gifts in a few of the many ways the Catholic community answers Christ’s command to love one’s neighbor.
We have divided the volunteer hours into three distinct ministries of our Catholic Faith.
Group Service Nights, Church Volunteer Service and Family/Community Service.
Group Service Nights (10 Hours, Minimum):
Group Service Nights will take place throughout the two years of preparation in conjunction with the young person’s small group sessions. Each small group will participate in activities over six nights spread throughout the Confirmation Preparation Process. Four of these nights will take place during the first year of preparation and two are scheduled for the second year. The goals for these nights are:
To learn about the agency/service project.
To participate in the service experience.
To reflect on the experience.
Service Nights allow candidates to live out their baptismal call by sharing their time and gifts with the people of God. In the Gospel of Matthew (Mt. 25:31-46), Jesus gives us practical (and specific) instructions on how we should serve the needs of others and God at the same time. We want candidates to recognize that this is the mission of the Church (as well as their mission) and to give them a chance to experience it first-hand.
Group Service Nights may be planned by the Director of Confirmation, the catechist, or the small group itself. Some nights will take place at the church, while others will occur at the local agency. When occurring at the agency, all candidates will report directly to the agency, rather than the church. Attendance will be taken and reported to either Our Lady of the Lakes or St. Mary’s faith formation site by 7:15 pm. The Director of Confirmation will communicate with parents and teens regarding the specifics of each Group Service Night within a few weeks of the Service Night occurring.
Church Volunteer Service (5 Hours, Minimum):
The aim of this type of service is to provide candidates with experiences that can help them explore or deepen the many (and often unique) ways in which we pray, worship, and serve as a Catholic community.
Some examples are:
Altar Server, Lector, Usher, Greeter, Art & Environment, Projectionist/Sound Board (Carol or Wendy)
Choir/Instrumentalist for Mass (Tim)
Children’s Liturgy of the Word - during 10:00 am at OLOL or St. Mary (Barb)
Faith Formation Aid - Grades 1-6 (Barb, Erin or Julie)
Vacation Bible School - First full week of June from 8:00 am-noon (Christine)
Fall Festival (Carol or Helaine)
Other Groups’ Events: KCs, CCW, D of I, Parish Society, Catholic United Financial, etc. (Carol or Wendy)
- Many of the ministries listed above require volunteers to sign up in advance and some training may be required before you begin to volunteer. Some may also require a period of commitment (6 mo – 1 yr).
- Please make sure that you can make a commitment to your chosen ministry before you sign up.
- Remember that any training or number of hours beyond the 5 hour minimum may be counted toward the Family/Community Volunteer hours.
- For more information about these ministries, contact the person listed or one of the parish offices:
Barb Garding: [email protected]
Carol Lee: [email protected]
Christine Pinto: [email protected]
Erin Wendt: [email protected]
Helaine Bolter: [email protected]
Julie Swoboda: [email protected]
Wendy Streed: [email protected]
Tim Cayler: [email protected]
Family/Community Volunteer Service (5 Hours, Minimum):
The aim of Family and community service is to provide candidates with an opportunity to follow Jesus’ teaching and put their faith into action in ways that help to build up families and the greater community. This ministry emphasizes the recognition of our own unique gifts, talents, and interests as gifts from God and to use those gifts to make our world a better place.
Just a few of the thousands of examples of Family/Community Service (Discipleship):
- Helping a neighbor in need (Shoveling driveway, mowing lawn, baby sitting – for free of course!)
- Volunteering for a community or sports organization
- Volunteering at school
About Volunteer Ministry – Young people have a tremendous capacity and energy to perform great works of charity (love). Most do this with vitality and joy. What a blessing!
Our youth are not the future of the Church; they are a vital part of the Church TODAY. The Catholic Church needs the optimism, the perspective and the energy of our teens in abundance. To this end, we invite all of our candidates to dig into their volunteer efforts with the same focus and enthusiasm as many of their other interests or hobbies. If not for their own sake (satisfaction of helping others, learning more about your faith/God, discovering an area of passion, etc.), then for the sake of a Church and a planet that desperately need their ideas, energy, and example.
While the Confirmation Director and the catechist will undoubtedly be able to suggest or highlight opportunities for ministry please remember that each candidate is responsible for finding his/her own volunteer opportunities and tracking his/her own hours. After completing service please submit updates for our records. Please keep a master copy of all your Confirmation commitments for your own records. We will review this record both in the small faith sharing group sessions and through email correspondence from the Director of Confirmation.
Candidates seeking the Sacrament of Confirmation commit to completing the following Volunteer Ministry milestones:
Group Service Nights (10 Hours): Each Candidate commits to participating in six Group Service Nights throughout the preparation process. Through this process, each candidate will complete 10 hours of volunteer service. Those who are absent for Service Nights throughout the year will need to make up the time they missed on their own.
Church Volunteer Service (5 Hours, Minimum): Each Candidate commits to volunteer a minimum of 5 hours for their local parish or within the Catholic Area Faith Community.
Family/Community Volunteer Service (5 Hours, Maximum): Each Candidate commits to volunteer a minimum of 5 hours in volunteer service that benefit the wider community.
Church Volunteer Service (5 Hours, Minimum): Each Candidate commits to volunteer a minimum of 5 hours for their local parish or within the Catholic Area Faith Community.
Family/Community Volunteer Service (5 Hours, Maximum): Each Candidate commits to volunteer a minimum of 5 hours in volunteer service that benefit the wider community.