Volunteer in

Education & Formation

These ministries include education and formation for adult Catholics, those who want to become Catholic, the Sacraments, youth faith formation in our religious education program, and youth ministries. See our options below. Scroll down for detailed descriptions, and fill out the Education & Formation Form for more information. Click the link to download the complete Stewardship Opportunities booklet.


Religious Education Program Catechists & Mentors (More Info)

Sunday School Catechist (Grades 4K & K)

Families of Faith Catechist (Grades 4K–10)

Elementary Weekly Class Session Catechist (Grades 1–5)

Weekly Middle School EDGE Session Mentors (Grades 6–8)

Bi-Weekly High School/Confirmation Sessions Mentors (Grades 9-11)

Substitute Catechist (Grades 4K–10)

  • Catechist Volunteer FormView information about becoming a catechist, request more information from the RE team, sign up to be a catechist, or sign up to be a substitute catechist for 2022-2023
  • Catechist Handbook

Youth Ministry: High School & Middle School (More Info)

Small Group Mentors

Youth Ministry Support Team

Middle School Edge Mentors


Additional Youth Faith Formation Opportunities (More Info)

Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW)

Students with Special Needs

Vacation Bible School


Rite of Christian Initiation (More Info)

CIC Assistant Teacher for children

RCIA Sponsor for adults

Religious Education Program Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in bringing the love of Jesus to youth and families. Below is a description of ways you can help bring the love of Jesus to youth and families. Please note that Youth Faith Formation volunteers must complete online Virtus training and pass a background check. Additionally, we ask volunteers to attend two training sessions throughout the year. The parish provides all other resources, lesson outlines, and materials for volunteers.  


Sunday School Catechist (Grades 4k & K)

Time Commitment: Every other Sunday during the 10 am Mass, September–April

Details: Sunday School catechists facilitate hands-on activities for the littlest disciples every other Sunday during the 9 am and 11 am Mass times.  


Families of Faith Catechists (Grades 4K–10)

Time Commitment: The last Sunday of every month, 3–5 pm, August–April

Details: Our whole family catechesis option brings parents and children together for faith formation. Families gather together once a month for formation and parents teach their children at home the other three weeks of the month. Family of Faith catechists facilitate youth break out sessions during the monthly meeting.   


Elementary Weekly Class Session Catechists (Grades 1–5)

Time Commitment: Tuesdays or Wednesday 4–6:30 pm, September–April

Details: Engage with children in grades 1-5 to bring them closer to Christ within a classroom setting utilizing a variety of hands-on activities, prayer experiences, and small group discussion. All lesson plans, materials and training are provided.   


Weekly Middle School EDGE Session Mentors (Grades 6–8)

Time Commitment: Tuesdays 4:30–6 pm or Wednesdays 6:15–7:45 pm, September-April.

Details: Mentor middle school youth as disciples by facilitating small group discussion and a variety of team building activities and prayer experiences. All training, materials, and session outlines are provided. (Also see description in Youth Ministry section.)  


Bi-Weekly High School Mentors (Grades 9-10)

Time Commitment: Bi-Weekly Wednesdays 7:30–9 pm, September–May

Details: Mentor high school youth as disciples by facilitating small group discussion and a variety of team building activities and prayer experiences. All training, materials, and session outlines are provided.   


Confirmation Mentors

Time Commitment: Mondays, 6:15-7:45pm, September-January

Details: Mentor high school youth as disciples by facilitating small group discussion and a variety of team building activities and prayer experiences. All training, materials, and session outlines are provided.   


Substitute Catechist (Grades 4K–10)

Time Commitment: As your schedule allows

Details: Substitute catechists volunteer on an as-needed basis when catechists and mentors are ill or unable to make all assigned sessions. Substitute catechists can indicate grade and day/time preferences.  



Interested? Fill out the volunteer form or contact the Director of Religious Education using the buttons below!



Contact the DRE

Youth Ministry: High School & Middle School

  1. Teen Small Group Mentor- More than 50% of teens express feelings of loneliness, hopelessness or isolation. To counter that, we are forming teen discipleship groups where we will be able to walk with them as adult mentors in a small community. These groups will meet on a regular basis and cover topics personalized to each group. Training and support will be provided for those interested.
  2. Youth Ministry Support Team- For those who want to support our youth and youth mentors, this ministry is as flexible and diverse as the people in it. The aim is to find individual gifts/talents given to us by God and to ask how we can use those for His glory. Some examples of support ministries are: hospitality, sports + fine arts fans (cheering on our teens at local events), prayer team, one on one mentoring, coaching our parents and other adult mentors and much more! 
  3. Edge Middle School Mentors- More than simply a Catechist, mentors walk with our MS teens and support them throughout the year while engaging in relational ministry. Mentors help with leading prayer, sharing witness and faith lessons, leading small groups and most importantly, by being present. 

Additional Youth Faith Formation Volunteer Opportunities

Babysitter

Young adults in grades 6–12 are needed to assist with childcare during parish events and on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings during religious education classes. Babysitting is a valued ministry that allows families with younger children to participate in various church activities.

 

Time Commitment: Varies.


Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW)

During the 10 am Sunday Masses (excluding holidays), children ages 5–10 can listen to readings and participate in activities free of charge to help them understand the Scripture stories and grow closer to God. Volunteers are needed during Mass and must be middle school age to supervise, and at least high school age to lead. Volunteers sign up at their own convenience. No experience necessary. Materials and training are provided.

 

Time Commitment: 1 hour at 10 am Mass on Sundays, sign up at your own discretion.


Students with Special Needs

Every effort is made by the Faith Formation staff to accommodate students with special learning needs within the context of the regular classes. It is our intention to provide your child with the same support he/she receives in his/her regular education classroom. Parents with children with special needs should make an appointment with the Coordinator of Religious Education to discuss what accommodations may be necessary. People interested in volunteering their talents and time to assist in the education of children with special needs should also contact the Coordinator of Religious Education to see what opportunities are available.


Vacation Bible School

Each summer students PK–5th grade are invited to attend a week-long half day camp that focuses on scripture passages and growing our relationship with Jesus. Volunteers are needed to assist as station leaders, small group leaders, kitchen helpers, environment team members, and registration. Both adult and youth volunteers (grades 6-12) are needed to work directly with the children.

 

Time Commitment: Varies according to role during the week or before/after for setup and takedown.



Contact the Director of Religious Education to get involved:


  Jessie.adrians@raphael.org.

Rite of Christian Initiation Volunteer Opportunities

CIC Assistant Teacher

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (CIC) is the process by which young candidates are fully initiated into the Catholic Church. The CIC assistant teaches a prepared lesson for students during student class sessions and helps the coordinator during family classes.

Time Commitment: 1 hour per week October– Easter.


RCIA Sponsor

A sponsor for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is a person who journeys with someone considering and following the process to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church. A sponsor comes to weekly gatherings in which the participants learn about the Catholic faith and teachings, study the Gospels, and share faith experiences. A sponsor walks with a candidate and shares in their journey to learn and grow in faith from September leading up to Easter Vigil.

Time Commitment: Monday evenings 1.5 hours and attendance at some specific Masses September–Easter.



Contact the Pastoral Associate to get involved:


Sara.Scheunemann@raphael.org