Parish Ministries
Spiritual Development Ministries
Spiritual Development is a life-long process aimed at personal conversion and growth in faith. The committee advises in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the total Catholic Christian educational and formational process in the parish. This includes sacramental preparation, formational and educational programs for adults, youth and children, and various opportunities for spiritual and social experiences.
Bible Study
The purpose of Bible Study is to join with others to gain further insight into the wonders of God found in Scripture. Through study, discussion, and presentation, participants allow current Biblical understanding to touch their minds and hearts in order to enter into a deeper relationship with God. The meetings are announced in the bulletin.
Book Group
Parishioners are invited to share in small group discussions on selected books. These discussions are at various times and are announced in the bulletin.
Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)
CYO is open to any teenager in grades 7 through 12 and adults who are interested in working with the youth of the parish. The purpose of CYO is threefold: (1) Spiritual: to promote/explore members' relationship to God/each other; (2) Social: to plan appropriate social events that promote healthy interaction; and (3) Community: to encourage events that benefit the community/social awareness. Meetings are held on Sundays 6:00 - 8:00 p.m./Special Events (September - June).
E-TEAM (Evangelization Team)
The E-Team seeks to provide enriching experiences that will help members of our church community, as well as new people who are not members of the community, to deepen their relationship with the living God. The work of the team includes developing new and exciting ways to reach out to individuals who are seeking something more in their lives, inviting them to knowledge of Jesus and participation in the life of the community. This committee meets year round. Summer gatherings allow team members time for learning, visioning and planning. Meetings during the year are scheduled as needed for implementations of various activities and projects.
Faith Formation
PLEASE NOTE: Any volunteer whose ministry brings them into contact with children and youth is required to attend a 3-hour Protecting God's Children (VIRTUS) training session. Youth between 16 and 18 may attend with parental permission. This training is free of charge and will be offered on site twice a year at St. Augustine's. Additional VIRTUS training sessions are held throughout the year at various locations in the Syracuse Diocese. Go to www.syrdio.org for additional information.
Catechists & Classroom Aides
The Catechist is called to witness to the Word in all areas of life. If the message of faith is to be heard and lived, the catechist must be given ongoing formation in the faith in order to understand it more fully and to speak it clearly, skillfully, and faithfully. (The Catechist in the Third Millennium, pg. 2) A variety of training opportunities are provided by the Office of Faith Formation of the Syracuse Diocese at little or no charge for those who teach or assist in Religious Education classes. Some classes are held in person, while others are offered online. Please contact St. Augustine's Faith Formation Office for more information. In addition to Diocesan course offerings, meetings for those involved with faith formation will be held at St. Augustine's at least once or twice a year. Teaching materials and all classroom resources are provided. Additional resources are available in our parish Faith Formation Office and at our Diocesan Resource Centers (resources.syrdio.org).
Faith Formation - Grades 6 - and higher
Teaching pre-teens and teens about their faith can be extremely rewarding and sometimes challenging. Just imagine the amazing discussions that can ensue as these young adults ask serious questions about their faith! A catechist for Grades 6 and higher aims to help students grow in relationship with God and develop a better understanding of Scripture, our shared Catholic faith and traditions, Liturgy and prayer as a part of everyday life. Because faith formation is lifelong and ongoing, catechists for this age group assist the young people in seeing how one's faith life can continue to be a viable part of adolescent life and beyond. Classes for Grades 6 and higher are arranged by semester. The first semester meets from October through December and the second semester meets from late January/early February through April. Catechists may volunteer to teach one semester or two and have the option of teaching on Sundays from 11:30 AM until 12:45 PM or on Mondays from 6:30 PM until 7:45 PM. Catechists may volunteer to teach a summer class session. Most often, these classes are held Monday through Thursday for one week, running from 9 AM until 11:45 AM. As with the regular semester classes, courses are only held if there are a sufficient number of students.
Faith Formation - Grades 1 - 5
If you enjoy working with elementary school age children, prayerfully consider being a catechist or classroom aide for Grades 1-5. Catechists are amazed at how much their own faith grows when shared with young people on a regular basis. Classes are held Sundays from 9 AM until 10 AM or on Tuesdays from 2:15 PM until 3:15 PM. Faith Formation classes for Grades 1-5 are held from September through April.
Kindergarten
These classes take place during the 10:15 AM Mass from September through April. Very often, a few catechists teach this class on a rotating basis. All who have or currently teach this age group will agree that Kindergarten faith formation is never dull and sometimes downright funny. Nonetheless, helping to plant the seeds of faith in these young children's hearts is such an important ministry and catechists are greatly needed.
Seeds
If you enjoy watching 3 and 4 year olds come alive when they experience something new, teaching SEEDS may be for you! Stories, simple crafts and songs are used to help teach these young learners about God's great love and all God's goodness. Very often, a few catechists teach this class on a rotating basis. These classes take place during the 10:15 AM Mass from September through April.
Children's Liturgy of the Word
Do you have storytelling gifts and like working with children in Grades 1-4? Children's Liturgy of the Word might be just the ministry for you! Children's Liturgy of the Word begins with dismissal after the Opening Prayer at the 10:15 AM Mass. The Sunday Readings are proclaimed in children's language from the Children's Lectionary and then explained by a teacher. The Profession of Faith is prayed and intercessory prayers are offered. The children return to church for the Preparation of the Gifts. Members of the Children's Liturgy of the Word Team are provided the materials necessary to present the weekly readings and most often are scheduled once every 4 or 5 weeks.
Helpers/Aides/Substitute Teachers
Any good catechetical program relies on a variety of people who share their gifts and talents. As St. Paul states, " As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ." If you like to help out but perhaps cannot make a long-term commitment, you might consider being a classroom helper/aide or being available to substitute teach occasionally.
Hall Monitors/Parking Lot Supervisors
Hall monitors help ensure the safety of both students and teachers when classes are in session. Bring a book or the newspaper and catch up on some reading while being a valuable presence in our classroom corridor. Volunteers for this ministry can sign up for a few weeks throughout the semester. Even one session will be so helpful. The safety of our students and catechists is of great importance to St. Augustine's Parish. With that in mind, parking lot volunteers are needed to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of classes to supervise the drop off of students for Faith Formation classes. These same volunteers then supervise the pick-up on the same date. Volunteers for this ministry can sign up for a few weeks throughout the semester. Even one session is very helpful. Prayerfully consider this ministry, please.
Walkers
If you like fresh air, enjoy walking for exercise in all forms of weather, and like children, this might just be the ministry for you! Walkers accompany students from McNamara Elementary School to and from Faith Formation classes held at the Pastoral Center. Walkers are needed on Tuesday afternoons during the months of September through April from 2 PM until 3:20 PM. Coffee and treats are shared while the students are in class. St. Augustine's has a wonderful team of Walkers but more help is always welcome!
Faith Sharing Groups
A group of parishioners (8 - 10) gather to pray and share faith experiences that flow from the gospel of the coming Sunday and participate in the mission of Christ through some action that they choose to do together. Meetings vary according to host home and participants' needs. Groups meet once a week for six weeks. Ministry for these groups includes facilitating the group and/or hosting the group.
Sacramental Preparation Teams
Baptism Team
Baptism team members meet with new parents to help them understand the responsibilities they are undertaking when baptizing their children, and to offer them support and encouragement. It is recommended that team members be parents themselves. Preparation sessions for parents seeking to baptize their children are held the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. Team members rotate responsibility for offering the sessions. Training for this team is available.
Confirmation
Any youth or adult who has been confirmed is invited to join the Confirmation Team and help our Confirmation candidates prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Sessions are held on various Saturdays during the months of January through April. Attending a team meeting before the sessions begin is required and regularly assisting at the Saturday sessions is helpful for the candidates.
First Eucharist
Children preparing for First Eucharist are always full of excitement! Parents are the teachers at home and catechists review that work with the children and expand upon their lessons during the classes. These five classes are held on various Wednesday evenings during the months of February through April.
First Reconciliation
Our God is a God of mercy and forgiveness! This is the message we teach our children in First Reconciliation classes. Parents teach the lessons at home and catechists review the work with the children and expand upon their lessons during the classes. There are four classes held on Wednesday evenings beginning in late September through late November.
Marriage Team
Couples serving on the Marriage Team meet with engaged couples and conduct a couple to couple marriage preparation session. They are also responsible for conducting the wedding rehearsal, and are present to start off the wedding ceremony. The married couple talks about their Sacrament of Marriage and topics like communication, sexuality, finances, etc. Training and materials are provided. Interfaith couples welcome. Day and time of the meetings are at the convenience of the couples.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) - Adult Team
The Christian Initiation Team journeys with adults who are seeking to become Catholic through the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Team members lead faith sharing and catechetical (instruction) sessions for those who are seeking full initiation as well as assist in the planning and implementation of the many liturgical rites associated with the process. Ministry opportunities include being a catechist (teacher), providing hospitality, and being a sponsor. Training is provided. Sessions for the individuals who are in the RCIA process generally take place once a week and team members rotate responsibility for facilitating the sessions. Team meetings are as needed.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) - Youth Team
Team members journey with young people who desire to become Catholic through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, as well as with their parents or guardians. Team members are responsible for leading faith sharing and catechetical (instruction) sessions with the youth and their parents. There are several planning sessions and team members teach on a rotating basis. An understanding of the RCIA process is important and training is available.
Calligraphers
Did God give you this remarkable talent? All of our sacramental certificates are individually completed by a calligrapher. This service is needed during December and April. Your artistic work becomes a meaningful keepsake for families.
Eucharistic Bread Bakers
We supply the baking tins and the bread mix, unless you make homemade mix. Little loaves of bread are given to each of our children on the day they receive First Eucharist. This baking takes place at the end of April or the beginning of May.
Sewing Ministry
Do you enjoy sewing? This ministry would mainly consist of making the baptismal robes given to our newly baptized youth and adults at the Easter Vigil Mass. The sewing can be done at your convenience. We will supply the fabric and pattern if needed. You must have a sewing machine.
Spirituality Groups
Men's and Women's Spirituality Groups help participants to grow in their relationship with God. In each session, members share with each other their unique experiences of God in their prayer and in their everyday lives. The Men's Group meets on the first Saturday of the month. The Women's Spiritual Direction group currently meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 2-3:30 pm.