Sacred Heart of Jesus

Religious Education Volunteer Opportunities

Parish School of Religion
The PSR classes meet on Sundays at 9:15 in the school cafeteria. We always need lots of help to give our children a rich, faith-filled and fun experience. Positions available are as follows:

Catechist
The word catechist comes from a Greek word meaning “to echo”. A catechist is responsible for handing down our rich and beautiful faith to our children. A commitment of 2 hours a week is needed.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word
CLOW is the way our children learn how the gospel of the Sunday applies to their daily lives. This position spends about 10-15 minutes with all the children before they go to their classes explaining the lesson of the gospel. It is a fun way to interact with the children and share and learn more about your own faith. A commitment of about 1 hour a week is needed.

Crafts
Our catechists always need help with craft projects in their classes! We’ll use your help any time!

Music
Can you carry a tune? Teach our children simple songs we sing at mass or on special occasions. Teach them during CLOW or in their classrooms. We’ll take you any time you can help!

R.C.I.C. Rite of Christian Initiation of Children
This very special program instructs our unbaptized children in our Catholic faith. These children participate in the very beautiful Easter Vigil Mass when they receive the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. A commitment of about an hour and a half is needed.

R.C.I.A. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
RCIA begins Wednesday Oct. 6 and continues to Pentecost

Team Member
Team members of the RCIA help instruct and act as guides for those going through the RCIA process. If there is a particular area of our faith you have an interest in or are knowledgeable about, we’d love to have you participate. The commitment can be for just one Wednesday evening for a couple of hours or several or the entire year. We also “break open the Word” on Sundays during the 9:30 mass from Advent to Easter. This would require an hour a week commitment during this time.

Sponsor
A sponsor guides an RCIA participant through the RCIA process and answers questions about the faith. He/she forms a special relationship with the catechumen/candidate. Time commitment is variable.

Retreat Helper
Once a year, the RCIA goes on a day long retreat. The retreat helper assists with hospitality and refreshments during the retreat and assists with the retreat program, as well. Time needed is a full day of the retreat.

Hospitality
Refreshments for the RCIA are provided for each Wednesday meeting, as some participants come directly from work. You may provide them yourself, or assemble a list of volunteers to provide treats. This is easy!

Sacramental Preparation
Sacramental preparation takes many forms here at Sacred Heart of Jesus. Our children occasionally need tutors for preparation for Eucharist and/or Reconciliation; parents of children receiving sacraments also need instruction.

Baptism
Would you like to teach couples baptizing their child about the Sacrament of Baptism? For many parents this is their first encounter with religious education since Confirmation. Classes are held on the first Monday of the month.

First Communion/ First Reconciliation
Share your own faith with parents of children receiving these sacraments so they can better hand on the faith to their children. Three hour long classes in the fall and three in the spring. Take one class or all! Or, assist with the rehearsals and/or the ceremonies for these sacraments.

Hospitality
Help with the simple receptions following the Masses for Confirmation, First Communion or the Easter Vigil. Serve cake and punch, help set up and decorate or help clean up. Any or all—your choice! Hours are flexible.

Adult Religious Education
Lead a Bible Study, lead a class, engage a speaker, share your faith--many opportunities exist for Adult Religious Education. For details call the RE office.

Office
Spend an hour or two each week helping in the RE Office. Requirements: Highly organized, computer literate, unafraid of chaos.