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Volunteer Opportunities

We have many opportunities to volunteer in several areas of parish life. If you are interested in serving in one or more of the ways, please contact the parish office at office@goodshepherdgv.org.

For information on VIRTUS training and Safe Environment guidelines at Good Shepherd CLICK HERE.

 

Liturgy

Altar Server (weekday) Assist at the altar during weekday Masses on a rotating basis. This requires arriving 15 minutes prior to Mass, helping set up for the Mass, assisting at the altar during Mass, and helping clean up after Mass. Frequency of service is dependent on the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to all parishioners from 5th grade and up. If students elect to serve in this way, we will coordinate with the school.

Altar Server (weekend) Assist at the altar during weekend Masses on a rotating basis. This requires arriving 20 minutes prior to Mass, helping set up for the Mass, assisting at the altar during Mass, and helping clean up after Mass. Frequency of service is dependent on the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to all parishioners from 5th grade and up.

Extraordinary Form Altar Server Assist at the altar during the Extraordinary Form Mass on First Saturdays. This requires arriving 30 minutes prior to Mass, helping set up for the Mass, assisting at the altar during Mass, and helping clean up after Mass. Frequency of service is dependent on the total number of volunteers. Serving in the Extraordinary Form requires learning to respond to the Mass parts in Latin. This ministry is open to male parishioners from 5th grade and up.

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion Distribute Holy Communion during weekend Masses, weekday Masses, and Masses on Holy Days of Obligation. This ministry requires arriving 20 minutes prior to Mass and assisting with the distribution of Holy Communion during Mass. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. You will be able to specify which Mass times you prefer. In order to serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC), a person must be a fully initiated (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) and practicing Catholic. If married, EMHC must be in marriages recognized by the Church (either married in the Catholic Church, or, if married outside the Church, in a marriage subsequently convalidated by the Catholic Church). EMHC should also have a deep and obvious love for the Blessed Sacrament, and should be known in the community as committed to the Church’s understanding of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Any person who dissents in matters of faith and morals should respectfully refrain from serving as an EMHC. This ministry is open to all qualified parishioners ages 16 and up.

Lector (weekday) Proclaim the Word of God during weekday Masses. This requires arriving 10 minutes prior to Mass, confirming the readings with the priest, and proclaiming the reading(s) and responsorial psalm. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to all parishioners from 5th grade and up. If students elect to serve in this way, we will coordinate with the school.

Lector (weekend) Proclaim the Word of God during weekend Masses. This requires arriving 20 minutes prior to Mass, confirming the readings with the priest, and proclaiming the readings and petitions. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to all parishioners from 5th grade and up.

Penance Service Volunteer Help set up for penance services. This requires helping the priest set up the church for a penance service, which will happen at a scheduled time on the day of the service. Duties include moving chairs and privacy screens; equipping each confessional with tissues, acts of contrition, and water; setting out examinations of conscience; and hanging signs. The total time required is about one hour per penance service. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Sacristan (weekend) Help set up for, and clean up after, Mass. This requires arriving 20 minutes prior to Mass, assisting the priest and altar servers with Mass preparations, and cleaning up after Mass. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Usher (weekend) Greet, seat, and assist worshipers during weekend Masses. This requires arriving 20 minutes prior to Mass; distributing bulletins and worship aids ahead of Mass; assisting those who require help finding seating, restrooms, the cry room, and the like; arranging for families to bring forward the gifts during Mass; conducting a head count during the homily; taking up the collection; and bringing the collection to the safe. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. You will be able to specify which Mass times you prefer. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

 

Music

Adult Choir Sing in the adult choir during weekend Masses and Holy Days of Obligation. This requires attending weekly rehearsals during the choir season, arriving 40 minutes ahead of Mass for warmups and practice, and singing during Mass. The adult choir generally sings at three 10:30am Masses per month from September through May. Additionally, the adult choir generally sings at the 7pm Mass on Holy Days of Obligation, on Holy Thursday, on Good Friday, at the Easter Vigil, at both Christmas Eve Masses, at both Christmas Day Masses, and during Solemn Vespers on Good Shepherd Sunday. The choir sings a diverse spectrum of choral music, including chant; Renaissance polyphony; cantata and oratorio repertoire by such composers as Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, and Mendelssohn; and good deal of varied styles such as the Italian, French, Russian, and German traditions, Latvian contemporary music, and English Cathedral repertoire. Those who wish to sing in the adult choir must display willingness to commit to scheduled rehearsals and Masses, ability to match pitch, and ability to carry a tune. An advanced knowledge of music is not required. This ministry is open to all parishioners from 9th grade and up.

Cantor Lead the congregation in song during weekend Masses. This requires arriving 30 minutes ahead of Mass to practice with the Organist & Choirmaster, introducing the Mass of the day, leading congregational singing, and leading the responsorial psalm. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. Service as a cantor is dependent upon a satisfactory audition with the Organist & Choirmaster. This ministry is open to all parishioners from 5th grade and up.

Youth Choir Sing in the youth choir during weekend Masses. This requires attending weekly rehearsals during the school year, arriving 40 minutes ahead of Mass for warmups and practice, and singing during Mass. The youth choir generally sings at one 10:30am Mass per month from October through May. Those who participate in the youth choir learn the musical tradition of the universal Church, and they are enthusiastic about it! By singing in a choir, young people can develop a sense of professionalism and pride in what they do. This will have a positive impact on their religious education and understanding of the liturgy. This ministry is open to all parishioners in 4th through 8th grade.

 

Church Upkeep

Altar Linen Laundering Launder and press altar linens. This requires laundering and pressing the altar cloths, corporals, and purficators according to the proper procedures. This is a service that is completed at home and includes transporting the linens from and to the sacristy. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Altar Robe Laundering Launder, press, and mend altar robes. This requires laundering and pressing the altar server albs on a rotating basis and mending the albs as needed. This is a service that is completed at home and includes transporting the albs from and to the altar server room. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Church Cleaning Dust, polish, sweep, and tidy up the church and sacristy. This requires helping clean and prepare the church and sacristy in anticipation of the weekend Masses. Cleaning generally happens on Friday mornings after daily Mass. Duties include sweeping the floor, polishing pews, straightening pew inserts and hymnals, changing out flowers, replacing altar linens, replacing candles, replenishing holy water fonts, swapping out bulletins and other handouts, and tidying up the sacristy. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to all parishioners from 5th grade and up. Younger helpers are welcome.

Grounds Crew Help with the upkeep of the grounds. This requires attending to Good Shepherd’s grounds as directed by the head of maintenance. Some of the duties, such as watering flowers, will be completed on a regular basis. Other duties, such as branch pickup and spreading mulch, will be scheduled by season. Signing up for this ministry will put you on a distribution list that will be alerted when particular needs arise. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Handy Helpers Help with the ongoing maintenance of the physical plant. This requires attending to various projects around the physical plant as directed by the head of maintenance. These projects will be scheduled as needed. Examples of projects include washing windows, fixing leaky sinks, replacing door stoppers, and helping with minor renovations. Signing up for this ministry will put you on a distribution list that will be alerted when particular needs arise. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Vigil Lights Replace vigil lights in the church. This requires swapping used vigil candles with new vigil candles before weekday and weekend Masses. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Weekend Lights & Locks Assist with shutting down the church on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings. This requires staying about 30 minutes after the Saturday 5pm Mass or the 10:30am Sunday Mass in order to lock and secure doors and to turn out lights in the church, gathering space, restrooms, kitchen, and social hall. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

 

Hospitality

Baptism Brunch Help prepare and host the annual Baptism Brunch, which is held after the 10:30am Mass on the Sunday of (or closest to) the Baptism of the Lord (early January). This requires purchasing, delivering, and preparing food; setting up the social hall; assisting during the brunch; and cleaning up afterward. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Children’s Nursery Care for young children during the 10:30am Masses in September through May. This requires arriving 30 minutes ahead of Mass, preparing the room for daycare, speaking with parents about any particular needs for their child(ren), providing vigilant care for the children during Mass, and ensuring each child is picked up by his or her parents. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Confirmation Dinner Help prepare and host the annual Confirmation Dinner, which is held the Wednesday evening before Confirmation. This requires purchasing, delivering, and preparing food; setting up the social hall; assisting during the dinner; and cleaning up afterward. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Donut Sunday Help set out and serve donuts, coffee and juice to fellow parishioners after Sunday Mass. This requires coming to mass atleast ten minutes prior to help with any set up needs and then assist with serving and clean up. This is a great activity for families with children. 

First Friday Hosting Help prepare and host the time of fellowship following the First Friday Parish Nights of Prayer. This requires purchasing, delivering, and setting out food; setting up the social hall; assisting during fellowship; and cleaning up afterward. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Funeral Lunch Food Donate food for funeral luncheons. This requires preparing and delivering a food item for funeral luncheons. Signing up for this ministry will put you on a distribution list that will be alerted when a funeral luncheon is scheduled. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Funeral Lunch Hosting Help set up for, serve food during, and clean up after funeral luncheons. Duties include setting up the social hall for the luncheon, preparing food for the luncheon, assisting during the luncheon, and cleaning up the social hall and kitchen afterward. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. Volunteers can help with some or all of the duties, depending on availability. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Good Shepherd Sunday Hosting Help prepare and host the time of fellowship following Solemn Vespers on Good Shepherd Sunday (the Fourth Sunday of Easter). This requires purchasing, delivering, and setting out food; setting up the social hall and gathering space; assisting during the celebration; and cleaning up afterward. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

NET Nights Help prepare and host the NET Nights, which will be held on Wednesday evenings throughout the year. NET Nights are evenings for our confirmation candidates and other parish youth led by the National Evangelization Teams (NET) home team, a group of 8 to 12 young adults who work to foster encounters and relationships with Jesus Christ. This ministry requires purchasing, delivering, and setting out food; setting up the social hall; assisting during dinner; and cleaning up after dinner. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Parish Picnic Help plan and host the annual parish picnic. This requires working with the Parish Picnic Committee to plan and host the annual parish picnic, which is held in September. Duties include securing reservations with the picnic location and caterer(s), helping prepare announcements and invitations, arranging the potluck details, setting up for the picnic and games, and cleaning up after the event. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Santa’s Breakfast & Workshop Help plan and host the annual Santa’s Breakfast & Workshop. This requires working with the Santa’s Workshop Committee to plan and host the annual event, which is held in December. Duties include securing items for the children’s gift store, working with vendors, helping prepare announcements and invitations, arranging and preparing food for the breakfast, setting up for the event, assisting during the event, and cleaning up after the event. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Shopper Assist with purchasing items needed for various events. This requires working with coordinators of various events to obtain a shopping list, purchasing food and other items as necessary (you will be reimbursed), and delivering the items to the parish at the proper place and time. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to adult parishioners age 25 and up.

Spring Bake Sale Help plan and host the annual Spring Bake Sale. This requires working with the bake sale coordinators to plan and host the annual event, which is held the weekend before Easter. Duties include arranging for donations, preparing announcements and invitations, setting up for the event, assisting during the event, and cleaning up after the event. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Turkey Bingo Help plan and host the annual Turkey Bingo. This requires working with the Turkey Bingo Committee to plan and host the annual event, which is held in November. Duties include securing prize donations, helping prepare announcements and invitations, setting up for the event, assisting during the event, and cleaning up after the event. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Winter Bake Sale Help plan and host the annual Winter Bake Sale. This requires working with the bake sale coordinators to plan and host the annual event, which is held in December. Duties include arranging for donations, preparing announcements and invitations, setting up for the event, assisting during the event, and cleaning up after the event. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

 

Faith Formation

Adult Formation Sessions Help plan and host adult formation sessions throughout the year. This requires preparing light refreshments, setting up the social hall, assisting during the session, and cleaning up afterward. Duties may also include setting up audio-visual equipment, distributing class materials, and leading group discussion. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word Lead or assist the Children’s Liturgy of the Word, held during the first half of the 10:30am Masses in September through May. This requires preparing in advance using provided lessons, leading the children (Kindergarten through First Communion) from the church into the social hall, teaching the session, and returning the children to the church at the offertory. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Sunday School Assist during Sunday School, held during 10:30am Masses in September through May. This requires helping the coordinator with preparations, setting up the classroom for the day’s session, and leading the children (ages 3 and 4) through a series of prayers and activities. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. (Not active in 2021-2022)

Vacation Bible School Help plan and host the annual Vacation Bible School (VBS), generally held during the summer. This requires helping the VBS Coordinator select and order the year’s curriculum, arrange for the necessary materials, promote the event, set up classrooms, watch and lead the children during VBS, and clean up after the event. This ministry is open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Youth Ministry Volunteer Help plan and host youth ministry events throughout the year. The Good Shepherd Youth Ministry encourages teens to grow in holiness and relationship with Jesus Christ. Plus, they have fun together and carry out some good works. Adult volunteers will help plan, coordinate, and chaperone various events and activities for parish youth in grades 6 through 12. Frequency of service is dependent upon the total number of volunteers. This ministry is open to all adult parishioners ages 21 and up who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

 

Outreach

Befriender Ministry Visit parishioners who are living in their own homes, in nursing homes, and in assisted care facilities. Befrienders offer spiritual and emotional support to our homebound parishioners and other Catholics living in the area. It is preferable that our Befrienders are also Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion so that they can bring Holy Communion to the people they visit. This ministry is open to all adult parishioners ages 24 and up who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Younger helpers are welcome.

Dinner at Your Door Deliver noon-time meals to residents in Saint Louis Park. This ministry requires picking up and delivering food to those in need. Frequency of service is about three times per year. This ministry is open to all adult parishioners ages 25 and up. Younger helpers are welcome.

Prayer Shawl Ministry Meet monthly to pray and knit prayer shawls. Prayer shawls are a physical sign of the caring community of Good Shepherd. They represent the prayers of our parish for those who receive them. All levels of knitters and crocheters are welcome. This ministry is open to all parishioners.

PRISM Food & Supply Drives Help provide necessities to those in need. PRISM stands for People Responding in Social Ministry. It is a local organization that works to respond to the basic needs of individuals and families who are struggling to make ends meet. They meet the basic needs of food, clothing, and housing for 5,000 low-income children, adults, and seniors each year. This ministry requires helping plan and organize food and supply drives for PRISM, bring collections to the PRISM location, and support the organization’s work in other ways. This ministry is open to all parishioners.

Respect Life Committee Help support the cause of life. The Respect Life Committee sponsors a variety of activities and resources meant to protect and uphold all human life from conception to natural death. This ministry is open to all parishioners.

 

Other

Have an idea for another way that you might contribute to the life of the parish? We encourage you to volunteer in a way that brings you life as well. Perhaps your favorite hobby, line of work, or the like could be helpful to our parish. We’re open. Please let us know.