Faith Formation and FUEL

Faith Formation [FF] is for students grades K-5^th. Classes are one hour long and are held on Sunday mornings. Program runs from September through the first week in May.

The FUEL program is for students in middle school and high school, and is held on Wednesday evenings. Most evenings begin with a simple dinner at 6:15 p.m. The evening ends at 8:15 p.m. The program runs from September through the end of April.

Catechist: teaches students in FF or FUEL (grades K-12^th) and prays with them, so that the Faith is imparted to our youth. Although experience teaching in a classroom is helpful, it is not required.

• FF: about 2-3 hours each week for preparation and time in the classroom.
• FUEL: about 3-4 hours each week for preparation, time before class with the students, and classroom time.

Substitute Catechist: teaches FF or FUEL class when the regular catechist is not available.

• High school students are encouraged to have some experience teaching or assisting in a Faith Formation classroom.

Classroom Assistant: assists catechist in the classroom. This requires some communication with the catechist beforehand. 1 hour each week in the classroom.

FF Special Events:

• Sacramental Preparation Retreat: assists at the retreats in preparation for the reception of First Reconciliation, Confirmation or Holy Communion. Retreats are on Saturday mornings and last about 3 hours.
• Confirmation Reception: organizes and manages reception at the celebration of Confirmation and First Holy Communion.
• Christmas Program: organizes, manages and/or assists with the annual Christmas Program, put on by the children in Faith Formation on a Sunday in December before Christmas.
• Faith Formation Devotions: organizes and leads the Living Rosary, Stations of the Cross, May Crowning or other devotions with the students in Faith Formation.

FUEL Activities:

• Prepare Meals: prepares meals for FUEL students, staff and volunteers.
• Living Stations of the Cross: assists with the annual Living Stations of the Cross, which takes place during Lent.
• Chaperon: drives and accompanies students to local or regional Youth Events.
• Mission Trip: organizes and/or accompanies students on annual Youth Mission Trip.
• Mission Trip Fundraising: organizes and assists at fundraising for annual Youth Mission Trip.

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults [OCIA] is the process of becoming or completing initiation as a Catholic. It consists of spiritual formation to prepare for the sacraments of initiation and lead a life in the Catholic Church. Classes are held each week from September through March.

• OCIA Teacher: teaches the Faith to adults. Classes are 1 hour long.
• OCIA Team Member: provides snacks, prayer support and other help as needed.
• Candidate Sponsor: witnesses to the Christian faith and accompanies an OCIA candidate in their formation and throughout their life.

Adult Education Committee: discusses, plans and manages educational programs for adult parishioners.

• Bible Study: studies and ponders the word of Sacred Scripture with other parishioners.
• Small Group Facilitator: leads discussion in small group in response to a reading lesson, or after watching a DVD or an online presentation.

Marriage Preparation:

• Sponsor Couple: a mature married couple who accompanies a young couple preparing for marriage in a series of meetings discussing the FOCCUS inventory.
• Natural Family Planning Instructor: provides instruction on Natural Family Planning. Must have gone through the Diocese of Fargo NFP certification process.

Head Sacristan: refills the votive candles each week and the altar candles as needed; cleans liturgical items as needed (at least twice a year); takes inventory of liturgical supplies at least once a month. Total of 2-3 hours per month.

Sacristan: prepares the sanctuary for the celebration of Mass, and finds substitute liturgical ministers. After Mass, washes and returns liturgical vessels to storage. Must be present 20 minutes before Mass; and about 10 minutes afterward.

• Children in high school may assist their parents.

Reader: proclaims the Word of God and leads the petitions at Mass. Spends 10-15 minutes beforehand to prepare. Please be present at least 10 minutes before Mass (otherwise a substitute will be found). Readers are in a rotation and scheduled 1-2 times per month.

• A high school student may be a reader.

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion [EMHC]: assists the clergy in the distribution of Holy Communion (the consecrated host or Precious Blood) at Mass. Please be present at least 10 minutes before Mass (otherwise a substitute will be found).

• May also volunteer to take Holy Communion to patients in the hospital, residents in nursing homes, or to the home bound in their house.

Altar Server: assists the priest at Mass. Children who have received First Holy Communion (grade 3 and above) may serve at the altar. Please be present at least 10 minutes before Mass to vest and help prepare for Mass (otherwise a substitute will be found).

• Training sessions: there is 1 training session each year.
• For solemn occasions (such as Palm Sunday, the Triduum, etc.) servers may be required to arrive for practice 30-45 minutes beforehand.

Usher: Takes up and secures collection(s) at Mass, assists those bringing up the gifts, and completes the annual Mass census (in October). Please be present at least 10 minutes before Mass (otherwise a substitute will be found).

Greeter: welcomes people as they arrive for Mass, distributes missalettes and bulletins. Children may serve alongside their parents, making this a great family ministry. Please be present at least 15 minutes before Mass.

Gift Bearer: an individual or family who present the gifts to the priest at Mass.

Musicians: the pianist, organist and/or cantor choose hymns to sing at Mass. A guidebook is available giving suggested music selections for each celebration. Planning the music takes about 15-20 minutes. It is recommended that musicians meet and practice together at least 15 minutes before Mass.

• Pianist: accompanies the cantor, choir and congregation. Time commitment varies based on level of experience and ability. Young people who play the piano are encouraged to help at Mass; begin by playing one or two hymns at Mass, then build up a repertoire.
• Organist: accompanies cantor, choir and congregation.
• Cantor: announces the hymns and leads the singing at Mass. Must be able to sing solo to lead the Responsorial Psalm and other refrains.
• Choir Member: sings in the choir. (At this time at St. Benedict, choirs are organized only for solemn celebrations, such as Christmas and Easter.)
• Musician: plays musical instrument at Mass. This is especially welcome for solemn celebrations, such as Christmas and Easter.
• Children’s Choir: for children in elementary school. Sings at the 8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass, no more than once a month during the school year. Rehearsals are held in the evening.

Environment: arranges and maintains flowers and plants throughout the year, and decorates the church for the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter.

• Watering and maintaining flowers and plants; takes about 5 minutes per week.
• Setting up decorations for Advent, Christmas and Lent takes a few hours.
• Setting up environment for Holy Week and the Easter Triduum takes a few hours each day on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and Easter Vigil.

Altar Linens: washes and irons linens. Each volunteer takes a few months a year. Takes about 3-4 hours per month.

• Optionally, washes server vestments a few times a year.

Opportunities for Families

Families are encouraged to minister together, such as greeters and gift bearers. Parents can serve in any role; with proper training, their children can be altar servers, readers and musicians.

Prayer Chain: commits to regular time in prayer

• Sick and Homebound.

Buildings & Grounds Committee: Maintains parish building, landscaping and equipment. Time commitment varies based on the work that needs to be done.

• Organizes and manages the annual Fall Clean-Up day, held one week before the Fall Dinner

Cemetery Board: Oversees the upkeep of the St. Benedict Cemetery.

Deanery Pastoral Council Representative: represents St. Benedict Parish on the Deanery Pastoral Council. In addition to the four quarterly meetings of the Parish Council (see below), is required to attend the four Deanery Pastoral Council meetings (two in the fall, two in the winter).

Fall Dinner Committee: Plans, organizes, and manages the parish Fall Dinner. There are 3-4 meetings beginning in the early summer. Must be available to serve extended hours on the weekend of the Fall Dinner.

• Fall Dinner Volunteers: All parishioners are asked to work as volunteers at the Fall Dinner. Sign-up goes online in late August.

Finance Council: a group of financial experts who advise the pastor and lay directors on the financial status of St. Benedict Parish. Members are appointed to a 3-year term by the pastor. Required to attend four quarterly meetings (August, October, January and April) and a budget planning meeting at the end of December. If you can recommend someone to serve on the Finance Council, please speak with the pastor.

Liturgy Committee: prepares for the celebration of special liturgical celebrations at Christmas, Palm Sunday, and the Easter Triduum, as well as the Advent and Lent Reconciliation Services. Meets twice a year: before Advent and Lent, to plan for the upcoming seasons. It takes 1-2 hours to prepare for each celebration. Requires moving furniture and other large items.

Pastoral Council: a group of parish leaders who meet quarterly (August, October, January, and April) to advise the pastor on the status and spiritual needs of St. Benedict Parish. The Pastoral Council consists of the two lay directors, a representative from each Committee, the Catholic School Representative, and the Deanery Council Representative member.

Social Justice Committee: addresses the Social Justice needs of the community

• informs parishioners on the Social Justice needs of the community;
• provides opportunities to parishioners to participate in projects, such as volunteering at the Emergency Food Pantry, partaking in a Giving Tree at Christmas, putting together Crayons for Kids bags, etc.;
• highlights and supports local charitable organizations each month through the second collection on the first Sunday of the month;
• educates youth on the presence and needs of the poor in our community, and organizes projects to involve them;
• meets 3-4 times a year to organize projects and designate monthly schedule of charities.

Bingo Fun Night: organizes, manages, or helps at the Bingo Fun Night, which is held on the Friday before Thanksgiving. Tasks includes selling bingo cards, daubers and raffle tickets, and “working the floor” (verifying bingos, etc.). The Youth Ministry group and their parents prepare and sell the snacks.

Catholic Schools:

• Catholic Schools Representative: serves as liaison between St. John Paul II School Council and pastor. Attends monthly School Council meetings during the school year. Provides quarterly report to Parish Council and attends quarterly meetings.
• Catholic Schools Week: an annual event at the beginning of February. Families with children in the Catholic Schools assist at Mass and are available to answer questions.

Funeral Reception: prepares food, sets up hall, serves food, and cleans up hall.

Men’s Club: plans, organizes and runs various social events throughout the year; e.g.: Sunday morning breakfasts, Fish Fries in Lent, St. Benedict Feast Day (July 11), etc. An e-mail is sent out before an event, requesting volunteers. Time commitment varies on the event and task.

Sunday Coffee and Donuts: host coffee and donuts after Sunday 8:00 a.m. Mass. Prepare juice coffee, and other items. Arrive 30 minutes before Mass. Clean up takes 10-15 minutes. Coffee and donuts is not scheduled on holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc.) or during the summer months.

Office Assistance: provides assistance to pastor and office staff. Time commitment varies according to task and personal schedule.

• Collection Counter: counts the weekly collection. Counters are on a rotating schedule, a month at a time. A criminal background check is required before serving as a money counter.
• Social Media Posts: composes and makes posts to parish social media account. Material is drawn from weekly bulletin, the parish calendar and suggestions by the parish staff.
• Graphic Design for Bulletin and Website: creates graphics for bulletin, social media posts and website.
• Podcast of Weekly Mass: edits video of recorded Mass and posts as podcast. Takes 5-10 minutes to edit and post podcast, and 5-10 minutes to prepare for the following week. Must be available Sunday morning to post podcast.
• Mailings: assists in putting together packets and stuffing envelopes.
• Photographer: takes photographs at parish events.
• History/Research: conducts research and organizes parish archives.

Horace Bean Days Parade: Horace Bean Days is held during the end of August or the beginning of September. St. Benedict Church has had a float in the parade. Creative and crafty volunteers are needed to help design and the float. Additionally, volunteers are needed to be on the float or walking next to it, passing out candy.