Facilitator of Adults Catechist of Older Adolescents Catechist of Younger Adolescents Catechist of Children Confirmation Preparation Team First Eucharist Preparation Team First Reconciliation Preparation Team

HI-life Gathering Team HI-life Support Services Infant Baptism Preparation Team Landings Team Member RCIA Team Sponsor Couple Program Young Adult Ministry Additional Faith Development Ministry Opportunities

The Faith Development Commission helps to discern the faith development needs of Holy Infant parishioners at all stages of faith life. It helps set goals and objectives to ensure this. The purview of this commission is the Rite of the Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), all sacramental preparation, and the faith formation of all members of Holy Infant community at every stage of Christian life.

 To view descriptions of the ministries within this commission or to contact the Faith Development Commission chair or the coordinator(s) of a particular ministry, see Stewardship & Evangelization Opportunities.

Catechist/Facilitator of Adults
The catechist participates in HI-life preparation meetings to prepare for teaching or facilitating at the HI-life gathering. Catechists for adults serve as members of the HI-life Gathering Team.

 
Catechist of Older Adolescents
The TYM (Total Youth Ministry) catechist is responsible for preparing and leading youth sessions (grades 9-12) and activities. TYM youth meet on designated Sunday evenings in addition to the monthly HI-life gathering. Catechists/assistants help plan and implement regular social and service activities for TYM youth.  
Catechist of Younger Adolescents
The JYM (Junior Youth Ministry) catechist is responsible for preparing and leading sessions and activities for middle school youth in grades 6-8. JYM youth meet on designated Sunday evenings in addition to the monthly HI-life gathering. Catechists/assistants help plan and implement occasional social and service activities for JYM youth.  

Catechist of Children
The Children's Catechist is responsible for leading learning sessions for children (often accompanied by their parents) during the in-depth HI-life gathering sessions. The catechist of young children is responsible for preparing and leading sessions for children ages 3-5 on designated Sunday mornings.

 
Infant Baptism Preparation Team
The Baptism Catechist is part of a team that leads preparation workshops for families seeking Baptism for their infants. These workshops are held every other month.
 
First Reconciliation Preparation Team

The catechist is part of a team that plans and leads sessions for candidates, parents and sponsors.

 
First Eucharist Preparation Team

The catechist is part of a team that plans and leads sessions for candidates, parents and sponsors.

 
Confirmation Preparation Team
The catechist is part of a team that plans and leads sessions for candidates, parents and sponsors.  
RCIA Team
The Christian Initiation catechist is part of a team that prepares and leads catechetical sessions in preparation for the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist. The catechist participates in planning meetings and formation sessions. (Time varies according to the group.)  
Sponsor Couple Program
(For Engaged Couples)—The Sponsor Couple Program enables an engaged couple to share and learn from the day-to-day experiences of a Christian married couple. As part of a couple-to-couple approach to marriage preparation, the sponsor couple encourages and supports the engaged couple in much the same way as sponsors for Baptism and Confirmation.  
Young Adult Ministry
Young Adult Ministry is a group for single, married, and divorced people in their 20s and 30s who meet for spiritual enrichment, faith sharing and social activities. Young Adult Ministry serves and supports through participation in various ministries and outreach projects. Social activities include movie nights, plays, game nights, baseball and hockey games, brunches, dinners and similar pastimes.  
Landings Team Member
The Landings Team Member helps facilitate a small group that assists returning Catholics in their journey back to the Church. A Landings series consists of 8-10 weekly meetings.  

HI-life Gathering Team
There are a variety of roles on the HI-life Gathering Team, such as designing the gathering, planning the prayer and music components, and leading or assisting with learning sessions for various age groups. HI-life Gathering Team members serve at one or more gatherings and are expected to participate in the rehearsal/formation session prior to each HI-life gathering.

Discussion Facilitator
The Discussion Facilitator assists at HI-life gatherings and adult events as needed. The primary responsibility of a small group facilitator is to ensure that all members of the small group have the opportunity and encouragement to fully participate in the small group activity/discussion. The small group leader should be aware of the importance of process (group dynamics/styles of interaction/group climate) as well as the content (subject/agenda/decisions, etc.) of the session. The facilitator attends a preparation meeting prior to the gathering or event.

Gathering Spokesperson
The Gathering Spokesperson is the main communicator at the HI-life gathering. He /she serves on the Gathering Team for one or more of the HI-life gatherings. He / she becomes familiar with the script and is prepared to take on this role at the preparation meeting (rehearsal) as well as at the gathering. (The session plan is provided by the Design Team.)

Gathering Coordinator
The Gathering Coordinator is responsible for the operation of the HI-life gathering. He /she serves on the Gathering Team for one or more of the HI-life gatherings. He / she becomes familiar with the script and is prepared to take on this role at the preparation meeting (rehearsal) as well as at the gathering. The gathering design is provided by the Design Team. The Gathering Coordinator ensures that the necessary personnel are in place for each gathering.

Gathering Design Team Member
The Design Team Members serve on the design team for one or more of the HI-life gatherings. Members have access to resources such as the Generations of Faith web site, on-line formation activities, and numerous books and binders on the design of inspiring and meaningful sessions. Through individual and group efforts, the Gathering Design Team provides a plan for the HI-Life gathering.

 
HI-life Support Services
HI-life requires the gifts of many people. In addition to leadership and catechetical roles, help is needed with communication, food coordination, registration, set up, clean up, hospitality, etc.

Work on/participate in drama presentations
People with a dramatic flare who enjoy using their talents to bring an idea to life before a large group are needed to present these dialogues/skits. Props, costumes, and music may add to the dramatic affect.

Prepare prayer services
Prayer services are needed for HI-life gatherings, parish meetings, and for home use. The Design Team provides the context, focus, and approximate length for the prayer service. Those who prepare the prayer services plan readings, ritual actions/gestures, music, and environment/set-up and ensure that there is variety in the type and style of prayer.

Play music: musician / play instrument
Life is a song and God’s love is the music! If you play an instrument of any kind, join in making music for one or more HI-Life gatherings. The Music Director will provide music about two weeks before the gathering and there will be a practice prior to the gathering.

Sing as part of a choir or group
Did you sing once in a high school or church choir but can’t spare the time to sing routinely? This is an opportunity to sing with a group for one or more HI-Life gatherings at times convenient for you. The Music Director provides the music about two weeks before the gathering, and there is a practice prior to the gathering. Come sing the melody or learn harmonies.

Help with child care
We recognize that there are times when parents would like to participate in events knowing that their children are in safe and caring hands. Those interested in periodically providing childcare service at Holy Infant for parish events are encouraged to sign up for this role. To meet diocesan safety regulations, there must always be an adult present for supervision. Youth can earn service hours by providing child care at these gatherings.

Monitor for safe and orderly environment
At the HI-Life gatherings, one person is in charge of monitoring for a safe and orderly environment. This person is responsible for ensuring that:1) transitions between large and small group activities proceed in an orderly fashion 2) rooms are not filled beyond capacity 3) cooking devices, candles, etc., are used safely 4) qualified chaperones are available in appropriate locations 5) spills are cleaned up quickly 6) active games are conducted safely 7) youth have not left their meeting area unsupervised 8) all participants know where they should be during the various segments of the gathering and 9) procedures for a safe environment are followed.

Preparation before the gatherings
	•	Copy and collate materials the week before the gathering (office work)
	•	Cut out, collate, assemble learning materials (could be done at home)
	•	Tabulate evaluation results after each gathering (could be done at home)
	•	Set up for HI-life a day or two before the gatherings
	•	Assemble HI-life @ Home kits
	•	Shop for supplies
	•	Sign up people at the HI-life table the weekend before the gatherings

Help during the gatherings
	•	Food Crew - Set tables for the meal, guide participants to clear their tables, clear dining areas, put away food (arrive 30 minutes before gathering)
	•	Hospitality Team - greet and sign in participants, escort people to tables (arrive 30 minutes before gathering)
	•	Clean up Crew – clean up various areas after the gathering and set up for next gathering or for weekend liturgy on Saturday (20-30 minutes after gathering)

Additional Faith Development Ministry Opportunities
Create artwork, posters, decorations for gatherings and special events
Do you have that special aesthetic sense of what makes a table or a hall look good? Consider volunteering to help decorate bulletin boards and meeting spaces for our HI-Life gatherings. The theme of the gathering is provided by the Design Team. Use your creativity to create an environment that sets the mood for conveying the main message of the gathering.

Type, photocopy, and provide other office assistance
Help is needed with various administrative tasks including data entry, word processing, and photocopying. This may be done from home (typing/word processing) or in the Parish Center weekdays during business hours.

Operate media equipment
Are you a technophile? People with technical expertise in operating presentation and recording media are needed to help set up and operate video tape and DVD players, CD players, video recorders, etc. during the gatherings as needed to support the program design.

Take photos of events
Lights, action, camera….For both the HI-Life gatherings and the related church events, a volunteer is needed to take pictures for use on displays, future publicity, parish scrapbook, etc. Use of a digital camera can minimize expense. Photographers are reimbursed for film, development, and supplies used. Digital videos may be useful at times for immediate reinforcements of a theme / important point during the gathering.

Organize and lead service projects
We are hopeful that parishioners will be inspired to act on what they learned in the Hi-Life gatherings by participating in follow-up service activities. The person in this leadership role handles the details of the service activity (i.e. arranges dates/times, coordinates with local service agencies, advertises to the parish through bulletin announcements and flyers, is the main contact person for the service activity, etc.)

Participate as a member of a retreat team
Retreats are offered to provide more time to reflect on and discuss a certain theme as well as to build and strengthen friendships within the community. A retreat team member assists in the planning and conducting of the retreat. Responsibilities vary according to skills and interests of the retreat team. Typical tasks include logistics for the retreat (facility rental, food, registration, etc.), facilitating small group discussions, and/or presenting a topic.

Chaperone youth activities
Chaperones are needed for youth activities both at Holy Infant and off-site locations. Typical duties of chaperones include ensuring the safety of the youth and encouraging appropriate behavior. Chaperones must be at least 23 years old, have completed a criminal background check, and have attended a safe environment workshop. All chaperones traveling with youth or spending the night at youth events must be registered members of the parish for at least 6 months.