Christian Formation is designed to empower families to bond more closely with each other and their parish family through active participation in their faith journey. Our involvement in the church has a significant impact on our children’s commitment to their faith. Volunteering to support the Christian Formation programs highlights the importance you place on your faith and your desire to pass the faith along to your child/children. We invite you to prayerfully consider the volunteer opportunities listed below to enhance you and your family’s Christian Formation experience.
We sincerely understand that today’s world creates heavy demands on everyone’s time, and we do not want to overtax any single person or family. We have a variety of volunteer opportunities with varying levels of commitment that we hope will help you find a role that works for you and your family.
We are genuinely grateful for your commitment to help us build a program that encourages your child/children and your family to grow in your love for Christ and appreciate the gift of your Catholic faith!
OPPORTUNITIES
- Catechist: Share your faith with the children/teens of St. Ann’s. If you have a heart for children/teens, we have the resources and training you will need to serve this community as an Elementary Catechist or Youth (Middle or High School) Catechist. Our Elementary Coordinator and Youth Minster will host a training session at the beginning of the year where you will receive a “teacher guide” and resources to support your ministry. We will show you how to use the curriculum for your assigned grade level; you will receive a plan for the chapters/topics to be covered at each session as well as helpful hints for class management and more! You do not need to have all the answers, just a love for children/teens and a desire to share the faith. Our staff is here to support you! All catechists are required to work in pairs or to have an assistant catechist who attends each session as an extra set of hands but doesn't necessarily lead any lessons. As a small thank you for all that catechists do, we are offering $60 off your registration fees - use code "CATECHIST" when registering your child(ren).
- Elementary Catechist/Co-Catechists: Elementary catechists gather for a training session at the beginning of the year. They then meet with our Elementary Coordinator monthly to review the upcoming lessons in the Catechist Guides and discuss any questions or ideas you may have about the curriculum. Catechists lead the lessons on the first and third Sundays of each month, in age-specific classrooms. Catechists are also asked to help support the monthly Family session by staffing different stations and encouraging families to engage in interactive learning experiences to help them feel more comfortable having faith discussions/experiences at home.
- Middle or High School Catechists/Co-Catechists: MS/HS Catechists gather for a training session at the beginning of the year where they will receive all the age-specific curriculum and additional resources needed for the year. Following a calendar of assigned topics for each session, catechists lead the lesson and facilitate small group discussions regarding the Catholic faith and how we are called to live as authentic witnesses to the Gospel. This will include, as appropriate, sharing their own faith journey as well as making room for the youth to share theirs. In addition to the Catechist Guide, our youth minister will provide regular support for each lesson with details about each week, as well as supplemental lesson ideas.
- Assistant Catechists: Attend all of the sessions and support the lead Catechist as a second VIRTUS trained adult/extra set of hands. They do not lead any of the lessons, unless they would like to lead.
- Substitute Catechists: On occasion we have catechists/mentors who are unable to be present for their class and we will need assistance in the classroom. Substitute catechists are willing to step in to lead the lesson material. Sometimes you might have weeks or days notice and other times it might be hours. Adding your name to our substitute list means we will reach out to you and you have the option to accept or decline filling in.
- Refreshment Shopper Team: Refreshments/snacks have become an important part of Christian Formation. Sharing a meal, no matter how large or small, is at the heart of our faith. We sincerely hope you will help us continue this ministry. We are looking for people to shop for the refreshments needed each month. Shoppers will be given a list and will be reimbursed for their expenses.
- “First” Sacraments Prep Team: Assist the Elementary Coordinator with the sacramental preparation retreats, scheduled 4 times per year.
- Set-Up Crew: The afternoon before a retreat, assist the Elementary Coordinator to prepare the Parish Hall for the Sacramental Preparation Retreats. The Coordinator plans and acquires all the materials, you are just helping set everything out.
- Facilitators: Lead and engage the children in theactivities prepared by our Coordinator, to help children gain a better understanding of the sacrament for which they are preparing.
- Special Event Support Team: Assist our staff by helping coordinate, set-up, serving at or clean-up at special Christian Formation or Parish Life events. You will receive email requests and can select your participation according to your availability.
- Administrative Assistance: Assist our staff with making phone calls, or preparing supplies/activities provided to you by the Coordinator on your own time, or in your home. You will receive email requests and can select your participation according to your availability.
- Vacation Bible School (VBS) Team: Serve on our VBS team as a decorations team member, Station Leader, Crew Leader and more. We typically host VBS during the month of June. There are a ton of opportunities to help with the preparations as well as during the week of VBS. Sign up for this position to learn more.
- Children’s Liturgy Adult Leader: Children’s Liturgy takes place during the Sunday morning Masses. We need a CLW leadership team to help lead the weekly sessions for children. Adult leaders will receive a leader guide that will script them through age-appropriate readings and a simple reflection/activity with the support of adult/teen assistants. Each leader will attend a training session and will be provided with leader resources to assist and guide them.
- Children’s Liturgy Adult/Teen Assistant: CLW assistants will help assist the CLW Leader with management of each CLW session.
Please note: The diocese of Richmond requires all adult volunteers - age 18 and up - who are working with children to to complete a one-time VIRTUS: Protecting God's Children workshop and to complete an annual ScreeningOne background check. You can register for a VIRTUS session here. All youth age 13-17 are encouraged to participate in the Boundaries module (register and see the Parent Guide here). If you have any questions about these requirements or need help getting registered, contact Patti Kamper.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions/concerns:
Minister of Christian Formation: Patti Kamper at pattikamper@stannscc.org or call (804)798-5039 ext. 304
Elementary Coordinator: Sarah Uy at sarahuy@stannscc.org (804)798-5039 ext. 307
Youth Minister: Erin Maguire-Metrey at erinmetrey@stannscc.org or call (804)798-5039 ext. 308