Volunteer
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How is God calling you to help Grow His Church?
A faith formation volunteer is a person who by the virtue of his/her Baptism and Confirmation is called to serve God’s plan of salvation. Volunteers should be persons who are willing to share their faith joyfully with others. Volunteers are in need to help with both systematic (weekly) faith formation and also for immediate sacrament preparation sessions that are held once a month or more irregularly than every week.
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Contact Us
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Carmen Benitezcbenitezsacredhearthouston.orgCoordinator of Faith Formation -
Faby Lopezflopezsacredhearthouston.orgFaith Formation Assistant
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Volunteer Form
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Requirements to serve in this ministry.
- Complete and Sign the Application for Faith Formation Volunteer Service Form
- Submit Form
- Scan and email to Carmen Benitez or Faby Lopez (or)
- Mail to Cathedral Center (attention Faith Formation) (or)
- Drop form at Cathedral Center drop box
- Complete the GMC Connect "Safe Haven-It's Up to You" and follow all guidelines from the training.
- This Training can be done anywhere as it is provided online!
- Submit a background check
- Attend trainings
- Time commitments vary
Next Steps
We hope you will take some time to pray and reflect about whether working with younger children or teens is the right fit for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to talk to you about how your gifts and talents might best be used!
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Top 10 reasons why you should be a catechist
10. The best way to learn is to teach.
When you instruct others, your own understanding increases. If your own faith education ended years ago, the resources and materials you are exposed to as a catechist will refresh and expand your own knowledge.
9. Catechists tell the truth.
In today’s chaotic world, people are searching for what is real and what isn’t. Catechists speak the truth about God, faith and morals.
8. Sharing the faith is an honor.
It’s estimated that fewer than 1 percent of Catholics are catechists. If you’ve been approached to be a catechist, or if you feel the call, you are being asked to do something special for God, for the Church and for your fellow Catholics.
7. Your own faith will come alive.
By acting on what you believe, you become a participant in building up God’s kingdom. As a catechist, you will discover that prayer, liturgy and your own relationship with God will become more vibrant and meaningful.
6. You become an active part of your parish.
One criticism of Catholic churches is that they don’t offer as much “fellowship” as some others. When you join the catechists in your parish, you enter into a community that will support you on your faith journey, pray for and with you and encourage you in your Catholic way of life.
5. A catechist is a role model.
Young people also need examples of ordinary people who do the right thing just because it is the right thing. As a catechist, you get to model behaviors young people might not learn anywhere else.
4. You will be practicing stewardship.
In these difficult economic times, families are struggling with rising prices and shrinking incomes. Being a catechist is a way of being a good steward by giving a bit of your most precious resource — your time.
3. You show your own family that you value religious education.
Taking time out of your life to teach the faith shows your own children, grandchildren, siblings and family members that you put a high priority on faith formation. You may find you are teaching them as much by your example as you are your students by your lesson plan.
2. It’s fun.
Spending time with energetic, enthusiastic young people gives you renewed energy and vitality. Kids remind adults to live and laugh in the moment and get enthused about things like Holy Days and stories of saints.
1. It’s what we are called to do.
At the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus said: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt 28:19-20). By teaching the next generation about the Good News, you are fulfilling your part of the Great Commandment. It may be the most important thing you will ever do.
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A lead catechist is a person who recognizes that all authentic catechesis comes from the Holy Spirit and who recognizes their role to be one of witnesses to the Gospel, an accompanier and an educator. Whether you are called to share our Catholic faith with children, teens or adults, you will be given resources, support, tools and the training you need to be successful.
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The role of a co-catechist is very similar to that of the lead catechist. However, the person in this role may be called to help facilitate lessons instead of leading them directly.
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Hall monitors help us to keep our children, volunteers safe by ensuring that the only people on the faith formation floor are those who are either directly involved with faith formation sessions or are the parents.guardians of children in the program. Additionally, hall monitors may be asked to ensure that children are not loitering in the hallway during sessions and checking the classrooms after the end of session to make sure no one is left on the floor after dismissal.
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Volunteers who are a part of the hospitality team will help set up the environments for faith formation sessions. Often helping to arrange tables, making coffee or putting together snack trays and making sure that the necessary cups and napkins are available. They may also be called on to be greeters and to help parishioners find the rooms or activities that they are looking for.
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Office/administrative volunteers will be asked to help prepare for the weekly faith formation sessions. This can be by making copies, laminating prayer sheets, cutting out activities for worksheets, refilling the catechist’s supply boxes, or other related tasks .
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Volunteers who are part of the retreat/event team will be called on to plan and facilitate retreats and special events throughout the year. These can include the 1st communion ½ day retreat for children and parents, the confirmation retreats, faith formation volunteers days of reflection, as well as events such as Christmas posadas or stations of the cross with teens during Lent.
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