Faith Formation and Sacrament Preparation Ministries
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Contact Us: 757.426.2180
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John Domingojdomingosjavb.orgDirector of Religious Education
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Veronica Litwinowiczyouthministersjavb.orgDirector of Youth Ministry
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Baptism Preparation Team
Coordinator(s): Jenny & Shawn Scharf | 757.689.3955 | [email protected]
Goals & Purpose: To prepare parents for infant baptism and to assist during Mass. Responsibilities: The team leads a two-hour class for parents. Members of the team assist during baptism Masses.
Helpful Attributes: Welcoming personality, ability to work with other ministries.
Commitment: Classes are held six times per year – first Tuesday of alternating months from 7:00 - 9:00pm. Team members should be present 30 minutes prior to Mass to help set up for the scheduled baptisms. Training is required.
First Reconciliation/First Eucharist Team
Coordinator(s): John Domingo | 757.426.2180 | [email protected]
Goals & Purpose: To prepare our young people for their first celebration of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Responsibilities: Be involved in one of the following capacities: regular weekly catechist or aides in the Sunday or Monday programs; interview for First Reconciliation and First Communion; function as a member of the retreat team for First Reconciliation and First Communion; help with practices for First Communion.
Helpful Attributes: Love for the Catholic Faith and enthusiastic willingness to work with young people; be a practicing Catholic who has celebrated the sacraments of initiation and, if married, is married according to the laws of the Church.
Commitment: Based on individual roles, time commitment can be weekly for one hour, three hours for interviews, two hours for retreats, and two hours for First Communion practices. Meetings are conducted weekly for sacrament classes, twice a year for interviews, and once a year for practices. Training is required and provided.
Sacramental Catechesis for Older Students (SAC)
Coordinator(s): John Domingo | 757.426.2180 | [email protected]
Goals & Purpose: To prepare our young people (fourth grade - high school) for their first celebration of the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist.
Responsibilities: Be involved in one of the following capacities: regular weekly catechist or aide in the Sunday program; interview for First Penance and First Communion; function as a member of the retreat team for First Penance and First Communion; help with practices for First Communion. Helpful Attributes: Love for the Catholic Faith and enthusiastic willingness to work with young people; be a practicing Catholic who has celebrated the sacraments of initiation and, if married, is married according to the laws of the Church.
Commitment: Based on individual roles, time commitment can be weekly for one hour, three-hour commitment for interviews, a two-hour commitment for retreats, and two hours for First Communion practices. Meetings are conducted weekly for sacrament classes, twice a year for interviews, and once a year for First Communion practices. Training is required and provided.
Catechist/Aide/Helper
Coordinator(s): John Domingo | 757.426.2180 | [email protected]
Goals& Purpose: To teach the Catholic Faith to our young people participating in religious education classes (K - 8th grade).
Responsibilities:- Catechist: Main instructor who has engaged in the necessary lesson planning to provide a weekly instruction that is informative and also interactive, based on the appropriate learning styles and methods.
- Aide (Aged 18+): To assist the catechist in the appropriate learning styles and methods.
- Helper (Teen): To assist the catechist and aide in practical matters similar to that of an aide.
Helpful Attributes: Love for the Catholic Faith and enthusiastic willingness to work with young people; patience; friendliness; good organization skills, excellent communication skills, especially with parents; if Catechist, a practicing Catholic who has celebrated the sacraments of initiation and, if married, married according to the laws of the Church.
Commitment: Participate in the weekly classes (one and a half hours each) throughout the school year. Specialized training is required and provided.
Substitute Catechist
Coordinator(s): John Domingo | 757.426.2180 | [email protected]
Goals & Purpose: To substitute for catechists, as necessary.
Responsibilities: In consultation with the catechist, implementation of class activities based on a predetermined lesson plan; notification of catechist after class as to the success of the lesson.
Helpful Attributes: Love for the Catholic Faith and enthusiastic willingness to work with young people; patience; friendliness; good organization skills, excellent communication skills, especially with parents; if Catechist, a practicing Catholic who has celebrated the sacraments of initiation and, if married, married according to the laws of the Church.
Commitment: Participate in the weekly classes (one and a half hours each) throughout the school year, as needed and requested by the catechist. Specialized training is required and provided.
Children of Light
Coordinator(s): Joan Kulinka | [email protected]
Goals & Purpose: To teach the Catholic Faith to our young people participating in Religious Education classes, kindergarten to 8th grade, who have special needs (i.e., physical, intellectual).
Responsibilities: Participation in regular sessions in a group environment where individual instruction and attention is necessary. (Children are either mainstreamed into regular classroom with an appropriate aide, or participate in a self-enclosed class where there is more specialized instruction.)
Helpful Attributes: Love for Catholic Faith and enthusiastic willingness to work with young people; patience; friendliness; good organization skills, excellent communication skills, especially with parents; practicing Catholic who has celebrated the sacraments of initiation and, if married, is married according to the laws of the Church.
Commitment: Participate in the weekly student classes throughout the school year. Specialized training is required and is provided.
Vacation Bible School
Coordinator(s): John Domingo | 757.426.2180 | [email protected]
Goals & Purpose: To have fun bringing the wonder of God into children’s daily lives.
Responsibilities: Adults and junior volunteers (rising 6th grade students) serve as Bible story tellers, arts and crafts teachers, music team, snack crew, and drama teams. Helpful Attributes: Love of children.
Commitment: Volunteers attend and support Vacation Bible School (VBS) that is conducted for five days in late June or early July from 9:00am to 12:00noon, Monday - Friday. In addition, volunteers age 18+ must be VIRTUS trained.
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Confirmation Table Mentors
Coordinator(s): Veronica Litwinowicz | [email protected]| 757.426.2180
Goals & Purpose: To plan and implement the formation process for Confirmation preparation.
Responsibilities: To serve as adult table mentors for the one-year Confirmation process, which meets once a month for five months.
Commitment: VIRTUS Child Protection training is required.
High School Youth Ministry
Coordinator(s): Veronica Litwinowicz | [email protected] | 757.426.2180
Goals & Purpose: To work toward the salvation and sanctification of all youth through a personal encounter with Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Responsibilities: Through Catholic teachings, animated group dynamics, spiritual growth, social relationships, excursions, retreats, mission trips, and opened awareness to morality in today’s society, we challenge and grow with the youth every Sunday evening from 6:00 - 8:00pm.
Commitment: Adult volunteers are required to complete VIRTUS Child Protection training.
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Adult Confirmation
Coordinator(s): John Domingo | 757.426.2180 | [email protected]
Goals & Purpose: To prepare adult (18+) baptized Catholics who have already celebrated First Communion but are in need of Confirmation.
Responsibilities: Participation in a five-week series of classes, as well as home preparation and participation in the sacraments. Helpful Attributes: Desire to learn more and live the Catholic Faith before and after Confirmation.
Commitment: Meet for five weeks on Sunday after 9:15am Mass, from 10:30 - 11:45am. Sessions are announced in the bulletin.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
Coordinator(s): John Domingo | 757.426.2180 | [email protected]
Goals & Purpose: To prepare adults who are interested in becoming Catholic, as well as for those baptized Catholics who are in need of First Communion and Confirmation.
Responsibilities: SPONSORS: Weekly participation in class and mentoring of candidates outside of class. TEAM: Weekly preparation of class and planning.
Helpful Attributes: Love for the Catholic Faith and enthusiastic willingness to work with others; friendliness. Sponsors should be practicing Catholics who have celebrated the sacraments of initiation and, if married, married according to the laws of the Church.
Commitment: An hour and a half each week for the duration of the classes. Training is required and provided.
Women of Grace
Coordinator: Jacqueline Brandwein| 412.370.5910| [email protected]
Goals & Purpose: To provide an opportunity for women to discover their identity and dignity as daughters of God by viewing and discussing DVD programs provided by Roman Catholic authorities and theologians. We explore authentic Catholic teachings and learn to transfer the knowledge and wisdom of the Church into our daily spiritual lives.
Helpful Attributes: Women of all ages and stages in their personal faith journey are welcome. The ability to share life experiences, faith, love, and personal wisdom is valued. Fellowship is key.
Commitment: Meet weekly on Friday mornings at the church.
Men of St. Joseph
Coordinator(s): John Domingo | 757.426.2180 | [email protected]
Goals & Purpose: This is a discipleship group of men committed to living a life of conversion, integrity, and honesty, acting as a witness for Jesus Christ in daily life. With prayer and discussion, Men of St. Joseph aim to emulate St. Joseph and become better husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers.
Commitment: Weekly meetings are held each Thursday from 7:00 - 8:00pm.
Thursday and Sunday Theologica classes
Coordinator(s): John Domingo | 757.426.2180 | [email protected]
Goals & Purpose: To provide weekly teaching based on Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Responsibilities: Attend with an open mind and heart.
Helpful Attributes: Desire to learn more and live the Catholic Faith, especially in terms of Sacred Scripture.
Commitment: Weekly meetings in the parish activity room. Sunday classes 6:00 to 7:30 pm / Thursday classes 10:00 to 11:30am
“Truth Among Us” Bible Study
Coordinator(s): Billie & Denny Sullivan | 757.677.6306 | [email protected]
Goals & Purpose: To read and study scripture; to better understand our faith; to attain a deeper relationship with our Lord. Responsibilities: Read weekly assigned chapters.
Helpful Attributes: Have an open mind and heart to hear and understand God’s Word. A desire to strengthen one’s faith and share it with others.
Commitment: An hour to read assigned chapters, plus weekly meetings on Wednesdays (mid-Sept-mid May) from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. in the parish activity room.
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