Safe Environment and Fingerprinting:  

At St. Paul Catholic Church, the safety and well-being of our parishioners, especially children and vulnerable adults, is our highest priority. We believe that providing a secure environment is essential to our mission.

Once your volunteer application has been submitted and reviewed, our team will personally guide you through the required Safe Environment training and fingerprinting process. We are here to support you in completing these steps quickly and easily so that you can begin your meaningful service to our parish community.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Liturgical Ministries: all Liturgical Ministries play an important role in all our liturgical celebrations. In fact, the Mass is a public worship that Catholics offer to God. Such importance requires a special characteristic embroidered in the heart of the liturgical volunteers.

• Ushers: They are the first faces the community sees. Living faith in an adequate form. Smiling, look into the eye.

• Usher Head: ensure the group of Ushers is assigned to their positions and that the offertory is securely deposited as directed.

• EMHC: The main role is to distribute the Body and the Blood of Our Lord. When they present the Sacrament to the communicants, they are instruments of encounter between Jesus and the person before them. A living Catholic faith in all aspects of life is essential. And having completed all sacraments, if you are married, it must be sacramental matrimony in the catholic church. Requires Diocesan and parish training.

• Music: Help the community to pray throughout the music.

• Sacristans: Help to prepare for any liturgical celebration

• Mass Captains: The role of the Mass captain is to ensure each Mass has enough ministries to offer a meaningful liturgical celebration.

• Readers: Proclaim the Mass reading, need to have experience in public presentation, need to know how to read aloud. Living the main message of the Scripture.

• Altar Server: Assist the presiding Priest with some part of the Liturgical rites. Need to complete the First Communion and receive the appropriate training.

• Ministry to the Sick. This is a vibrant, profound, and meaningful ministry that brings Jesus to our brothers and sisters confined to hospitals, nursing homes, and their own homes. Requires Diocesan training as Extraordinary Ministry of the Holy Communion and training for Ministry to the Sick.

• Funeral Planning. This ministry helps families plan all the funeral liturgy details, including readings, music, and many other elements. Require appropriate training.

Outreach Ministries

We intend to alleviate the burden on those in need by providing special assistance to meet basic needs.

• Food Pantry: Help to provide food for those in need by receiving inquiries and giving out food in an orderly manner.

• Thrift Store: The Thrift Store provides merchandise at discount prices. This helps families build their home, from home items to clothes for all family members. Need to have a sense of teamwork, smile, and the customer service position, know how to operate a cash register, and classify donations according to the thrift Store Staff.

• Hospitality Weekend: On designated weekends, this ministry serves coffee and donuts in our Holy Family Room for members of our community who want to share and fellowship after the Masses.

• Church Cleaning Apostolate: Help clean the church.

Evangelization and Discipleship

• Faith Formation: Catechesis for all ages. Our Faith Formation Programs include appropriate formation for kids from kindergarten to 8th grade. Youth Ministry and Adult Formation. Receive the appropriate training and be good at sharing and teaching with the entire age spectrum.

• Sacramental Preparation: Our Sacramental preparation program aims to prepare all people to receive the Sacraments. Specialized catechists are essential to accomplish this Ministry. Need to have experience in Faith Formation programs and attend the appropriate training.

• Youth Ministry Chaperones: Adults who provide a safe environment for our kids are participants in the Youth Ministry program at our parish or in off-campus activities. Requires patience and willingness to follow directions from the parish Staff. Some physical activities require staying in good shape.

• OCIA: We invite our brothers and sisters who have not been baptized to explore the beauty and richness of the Catholic Faith through our program. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about faith and its teachings.

• Book Discussion Group: They meet frequently to discuss some books in an adult environment. These books are approved by the pastor and the Evangelization and Discipleship. The leaders are approved, and there is no special requirement to join.

• Rosary Makers: Join other parishioners in making rosaries to send around the world as part of international evangelization.

Volunteer Responsibilities:

Every role at St. Paul comes with specific tasks, but all volunteers share a common duty: to represent the parish with kindness and integrity. When you do a volunteer ministry in any capacity, you are acting on behalf of our Parish. All your actions must be in keeping with those of a true follower of Christ, marked by respect, professionalism, and authentic care for other members of the parish.

• Engagement: Carry out assigned tasks to the best of your ability. Do not create rules or procedures outside of the scope of your Ministry. Always follow the Pastor's or the parish office's directives. The St. Paul Parish has the proper identity and culture. Traditions or practices from other parishes are not allowed unless approved by the pastor.

• Communication: If you are unsure of a procedure or cannot make your shift, please notify your ministry lead promptly.

• Age and Health Limitations: To ensure the safety of all participants:

• Minors: Volunteers under the age of 18 must have parental consent and may require adult supervision depending on the task. In some cases, the Parish may limit minors' participation in specific activities or events. Our first and top priority is the safety or our entire community.

• Health: We ask that you only accept roles that fit your physical capabilities. Some ministries require physical activity, and others require the ability to tag prices, read, and write. If this is a challenge for you, please talk to the office. We will find a place where your talent can be used to help our parish and ministries. Please, if you are feeling unwell or have a contagious illness, stay home to protect our vulnerable parishioners.

Confidentiality Agreement:
While serving, you may become privy to private information regarding parishioners or parish operations. No volunteer is allowed to share any information obtained during training or other parish activities. This also reaches pertinent persons to whom the volunteer offers their ministry.

• Privacy: All personal, financial, or sensitive information must remain confidential. Any information related to health, family issues, or marriage situations must also be kept private. All volunteers are required to uphold this confidentiality.

• Discretion: Do not discuss the private needs of those we serve outside of the necessary ministerial context. This applies to all volunteers beyond the service provided for the Parish in a parish setting or a private setting.

Conflict of Interest:
To maintain the integrity of our parish, it is an important and fundamental step to avoid any conflict, especially with the vulnerable population:

• Volunteers should avoid situations where their personal interests (financial or otherwise) conflict with their service to the Church. Volunteers cannot receive any benefit, such as a gift or financial gain, as part of the volunteer service provided to the st. Paul Catholic Church

• If you believe a conflict exists, please disclose it to the Parish Office or your ministry leader immediately.

Dismissal from Volunteer Services:
St. Paul Catholic Church reserves the right to terminate a volunteer’s service if their behavior is inconsistent with our mission or if they fail to adhere to the outlined policies. Volunteers are also required to complete fingerprinting requirements and maintain up-to-date safe environment training or workshops. Additionally, termination may occur if a volunteer violates any part of their confidentiality agreement or fails to address health-related issues.

Media Relationships:
To ensure a unified and accurate message in case the media approaches and is seeking a special quote from a parish member, all volunteers holding a Ministerial position need to be prudent and refer all consultations to the parish staff.

• Official Statements: All inquiries from the press or media regarding parish business should be directed to the Pastor, the Parish Office, or the Diocesan Office of Communications. They will issue an official statement pertinent to the matter to the media.

• Social Media: Please be mindful of how you represent the parish on your personal social media accounts. Volunteers are called to respect the open dialogue in all social media; also, the volunteers are invited to refrain from making diminishing comments to a specific group of people.

Dress Code and Punctuality:

Attire: Please dress in "business casual" or modest attire appropriate for a house of worship. For the liturgical ministries, it is important to show decorum, respect, and prudence in the house of God while participating in ministry.

• Men's attire consists of long pants, dress shoes, and a dress shirt, or a polo shirt with appropriate shoes.

• Women’s attire includes a modest-length skirt or dress or long pants, a blouse or polo shirt, and appropriate shoes.

Other Ministries: Specific ministries, such as maintenance, thrift store, Food Pantry or festivals, may have more relaxed attire requirements.

Punctuality: Our ministries rely on your presence. Please arrive 10–15 minutes early to prepare for your responsibilities.

Punctuality: Our ministries rely on your presence. Please arrive 10–15 minutes early to prepare for your responsibilities.

Community Service Hours:
We are happy to verify hours for students or professionals requiring community service credits.

• Logging: It is the volunteer's responsibility to maintain a log of their hours.

• Verification: Once completed, present your log to your ministry leader for a formal signature.

Thank you for your "Yes" to this calling. We look forward to serving alongside you!

Code of Conduct: