Volunteer Opportunities

Ministry is the work of the entire parish, and it is a part of belonging to a parish. We minister to each other-those in our community and those beyond our community. As we gratefully use the time and talents that God has given to us, we demonstrate our faith in action.

Liturgical Ministries

Contact the Director of Liturgy and Music

• Liturgical Art and Environment Assist in seasonal decorating of the church.
• Sacristan Clean vessels, vestments, altar linens, candles ...
• Altar Servers (Girls and Boys, Grades 5-12) Serve at the altar for Sunday liturgies, Holy Days, Funerals, Weddings and other occasions.
• Lector Proclaim the Word of God at Sunday liturgies and Holy Days or other special liturgies.
• Usher/Greeter Greet those gathering for liturgy, assist in seating, offertory, bulletin distribution.
• Eucharistic Minister Assist in the distribution of Communion at Eucharistic liturgies.
• Choir Sing in the 4:00 PM, 10:00 AM, or Men's Choir
• Organist/Pianist Play for Sunday and Holy Day liturgies, weddings, funerals and services.
• Cantor Lead assembly in singing and participation in the liturgy. Training as needed.
• Instrumentalists Play handbells, trumpet, flute, recorder, oboe, or other instruments for liturgies.

Pastoral Ministries

Contact the Pastoral Assistant

• Sick and Homebound Visitation Visit our elderly, sick or homebound parishioners at homes or health care centers.
• Nursing Home Visitation Assist Tuesdays, and 2nd Saturday of month for Mass by bringing residents to and from chapel, passing out books, rosaries, etc.
• Eucharistic Minister for Nursing Homes and homebound. Bring Communion to residents on Saturdays when no Mass is scheduled, and to the homebound weekly.
• Parish Nurse Program Volunteer Be a volunteer to assist in the program. You need not be a nurse to be a volunteer. Men are welcome and needed.

Faith Formation

Contact the Faith Formation Coordinator

• Sunday School/Preschool
• Teacher Catechist Teach 3, 4, 5 year olds during 9:00 AM liturgy for approximately 13 Sundays during school year (curriculum provided).
• Teacher's Aide Assist Sunday School Teacher with class at 9:00 AM liturgy for approximately 13 Sundays during school year.
• Assistant Coordinator Assist head coordinator in organizing program, teachers and activities. Must be available one Sunday morning per month during school year.
• Teacher Catechist Teach a 75 minute class weekly for grades 1-10. Commitment for 30, or 15 weeks.
• Substitute Teach/Catechist Available on short notice when catechist cannot meet with class.
• Childcare for Teachers/Catechists Weekly or bi-weekly volunteer to provide child care for children of catechists.
• Classroom Aide Assist classroom catechists or coordinators.
• Prayer Listener Listen to and help child learn prayers once a month
• Office Aide Assist with phone answering, photocopying, and misc. office duties.
• Rite of Christian Initiation of Children Teach students in grades 3-8 who will be receiving First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.
• Music Share musical talents with grades 1-6; vocals, instrumental, ... 1-2 times a month during the school year. Flexible schedule.
• Storyteller Share storytelling talents with any grades 1-6.

• Youth Ministries 

• Youth Group Participate as a youth member or adult member in group projects and events as a planner or chaperone.

Adult Faith Formation

Contact the Parish Office

• Scripture Study Meet regularly to pray and study Sacred Scriptures.
• Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Be a member of the support team, sponsor a candidate, or be a participant.

Social Outreach Ministries

Contact the Parish Office

• St. Vincent de Paul Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy, principally through the home visit, in the tradition of its founder, Frederick Ozanam and patron, Vincent de Paul. Vincentians live out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, putting into concrete action the mercy and love of Jesus Christ.
• Community Food Response Pick up or distribute food, 1st Wednesday of the month 2 hour commitment
• Channel One Help stock shelves, package food for home deliveries to elderly or disabled.
• Refugee Resettlement Participate in this outreach of Catholic Charities to help welcome or sponsor refugee families to our community by providing assistance with housing, living necessities and services.

Parish Life Activities

Contact the Parish Office

• Sunday Donut Crew Volunteer to help bake and serve donuts for our community.
• Volunteer Office Support Volunteer to be on a call list to help with bulk mailings and other parish office responsibilities as necessary, including answering the phone and door.
• Fundraiser Volunteer With the Finance Council, develop ways to raise funds for the parish.
• SCRIP Seller Sell SCRIP after Mass to parishioners.
• Funeral Luncheons Participate in this ministry to the bereaved of our parish.
• Ministry of Hospitality for Funerals Participate in welcoming family and guests, serve as greeter, sacristan, usher, parking lot attendant.

Councils and Commissions

Contact the Parish Office

• Faith Formation Commissions Serve as a member of our advisory committee to the Faith Formation coordinators and religious education program preschool through senior high school.
• Facilities Commission Advise pastor and parish council on matters related to building, maintenance and grounds and to assist with long-range planning.
• Communication Commission Assist with parish newsletter and website.
• Outreach Commission Participate in commission, which seeks to foster justice through prayer, study, dialogue, personal awareness and communication. Promote outreach ministry as an integral part of parish life and a responsibility of parishioners, serve as a resource for social justice issues, and develop opportunities for parishioners to do works of mercy.
• Parish Life Commission Promote group service activities and social gatherings to bring parishioners together. Assist with a dinner and welcoming new parishioners.
• Worship Commission Help plan ministry training, ministry scheduling and liturgical seasons.
• Finance Council Attend council meetings; help make budget recommendations.
• Pastoral Council

Parish Nurse Program

Contact the Parish Office

• Health Cabinet meets once a month to evaluate, coordinate and implement health issues of the parish.
• Parish Nurses are volunteers who minister within the Parish Nurse Program. 
• Blood Pressure Screening needs nurses to conduct this once a month activity held on Sunday mornings. 
• Grief Support and Perinatal Loss care is offered by nurses who are willing to offer support to families who lose a baby or an older loved one. 
• Respite Care training is given so that a volunteer can offer relief to an at-home care giver. The commitment is for a few hours at a time while the care giver goes to appointments, runs errands or just takes a break. 

Community Resources

Olmsted County Nutrition Assistance  --  Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Olmsted County Department of Human Services  --  Additional food assistance through Pandemic EBT program

MN Department of Human Services  --  Covid-19 Emergency Food Support

MN Department of Human Services  --  Additional Food Assistance

Channel 1  -- This link also has a list of all the food shelf sites in Olmsted County 

P-EBT  --  Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (Important updates)

P-EBT Enrollment  --  Enroll by July 31, 2020

Supper Meals  --  Meals served at John Marshal and Mayo High Schools 

Three Rivers Community Services  --  Energy Assistance

MNsure  --  Enroll in lower cost health insurance through MNsure