Christian Ministry

Christian Ministry Guide
Components of the CM Program | Criteria for CM Sites |
Requirements and Consequences | Common Questions | CM Agencies
Download the Christian Ministry Service Record Form

“Whatsoever you do for the least of my people;
that you do unto me.” (Matthew 25:40)

All of us are called to serve. We are called to this life of service by Jesus Christ Himself. This call is reiterated again and again throughout the Scriptures, and through numerous Church documents. Pope John Paul II challenged each of us to be active in our families, Church and communities by working for justice to achieve peace. Each of our students at Nolan Catholic is called to serve. One way in which we answer this call is through the Christian Ministry program. In this way, we share our time and talents with the Church and community.

Called in Baptism and gifted by the Holy Spirit.
The life of a Christian is one of loving service to those in need. The Christian Ministry Program of Nolan Catholic High School is an opportunity to explore the many ministry opportunities of the Church and the wider community.

Important Components of the Christian Ministry Program:

† The Spirituality of Service
Christian Ministry is the freely offered gift of one’s time, talents and personality. We can be Christ for others in many ways. While some of the agencies where we carry out our ministry are not “Church-related”, we consider the student’s contribution to be “Christian ministry” in that our faith is the motivation, prayer is the source of our strength, and to serve as Jesus did is our goal.

† An Opportunity to Learn
Christian Ministry is an opportunity to learn and grow in ways that are impossible in a classroom. Through Christian ministry, students may discover their personal gifts, values, limitations, and perhaps, dreams for the future. They will learn about people and have their eyes opened to the problems in our community.

† Choosing A Ministry
Examine your own gifts and interests. Listen to the Holy Spirit. It is often better to find something that will be difficult or challenging. You’ll get more out of the experience. The easy ministries aren’t necessarily the most fun or rewarding. When we stretch beyond our “comfort zone”, we often gain the most.

† Making a Commitment
It is the investment of oneself that makes for rewarding ministry. While there are many short term ministry opportunities, we recommend that you make a long term commitment (a semester, a summer, a year) to one ministry. This will give you the opportunity to develop relationships, become experienced in your field, and perhaps witness changes or growth in those you are helping. Your agency also benefits because they can count on your dedicated service. In selecting an agency, be sure it meets the criteria outlined on the next page. If there is ANY question, please see the Christian Ministry Coordinator.

† Action-Reflection Process
In your religion classes, you will be given the opportunity to reflect on your ministry and share your experiences with others. It is in this setting, that much of the learning takes place. In addition, the senior level Christian Ministry course offers another opportunity to synthesize your ministry experiences.

† Recording Your Ministry
The student is the Christian minister. It is the Christian minister’s responsibility to report the hours of service on a CM form. We do NOT want parents or volunteer coordinators to mail in your records. The supervisor should initial EACH day of ministry. The STUDENT should turn in forms to the Christian Ministry Coordinator in D21. CM forms are available in D21 and may be downloaded here. ALL sections of the CM form must be complete for hours to be added to the student record.

Criteria for Christian Ministry Sites

You have several options in selecting your ministry site. You may find an agency on your own or continue to serve an agency if it meets the following criteria:

1. SERVICE TO OR WITH PEOPLE
We ask that the majority of your service involve working
directly with people, serving as Christ did. While there
may be a few occasions where you will indirectly help
others through other means (office work, cleaning), we
require that MOST hours come from direct service to others.

2. VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Christian ministry is a contribution of your time and talents in a volunteer capacity. This is work that is not for payment, outside of the ministry we already freely give to family, friends and neighbors.

3. SUPERVISOR PRESENCE
Someone must be available at your ministry site to supervise, record your service, and evaluate your ministry. The supervisor should also be available to provide training, support and assistance.

4. NOLAN CATHOLIC SERVICE
The limit of service hours to the Nolan Catholic community is 20 hours. (This includes retreats, summer camps, ambassador tasks, etc.) We encourage service to Nolan, but at least 55 of the required hours must come from service to the outside community.

† Start Date for Ministry
Students may begin their Christian Ministry as soon as they are high school students at Nolan Catholic. Therefore, service may begin as early as the first day of June the summer before a student’s freshman year.

† Hour Requirements
Students are REQUIRED to complete 20 hours by the end of freshman year, 40 hours by the end of sophomore year, and 60 hours by the end of junior year. SENIORS MUST HAVE COMPLETED A MINIMUM OF 75 HOURS IN ORDER TO GRADUATE FROM NOLAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL. DIPLOMAS WILL BE HELD IF HOURS ARE INCOMPLETE.

† Monitoring Hours
Christian Ministry hours are updated twice each quarter in the main hallway. In addition, a student is more than welcome to see the Christian Ministry Coordinator at any time to get the most recent update of his/her hours.

† Consequences for Incomplete Hours
All ministry hours are due by the first Monday of May, as shown on the school calendar. If hours are not completed by this date (NOT the last day of school), the student will be placed on academic probation for the next year. The student will remain on probation until hours are complete. Being on academic probation will affect ability to participate in extracurricular activities. In addition, a Religion grade will not be credited on the student’s transcript until hours are completed.

† What if I fulfill the 75 hours in one year?
WONDERFUL! We hope that Nolan Catholic students will continue to serve their school, church and community beyond the required hours. Continue to turn in these CM forms. Nolan Catholic will give special commendation to those students who model commitment to Christian Ministry.

† What is not included in my service hours?
Initial interviews, transportation to the ministry site, lunch breaks, dinner breaks and hours being served to Teen Court due to a ticket do NOT count towards one’s required ministry hours. However, training for a specific ministry can count towards one’s hours.

† How are hours counted for ministry during Mass and Sunday services?
Liturgical ministry is GREATLY encouraged. Keep a record of all masses in which you participate as an altar server, lector, Eucharistic minister, cantor, choir member, etc. Altar servers, cantors and choir members receive a full hour for each Mass. Lectors and Eucharistic ministers will receive ¼ hour for each Mass. Any training will also count towards one’s total hours. See the Christian Ministry coordinator with any questions regarding these hours.

Christian Ministry Agencies

Nolan Catholic students are highly encouraged to minister through their church or parish. Contact someone on the staff about ministry opportunities (youth minister, DRE, pastor, liturgical ministry coordinator, etc.). In addition, there are many other agencies in need of support. Some of these are listed below. You are also free to find an agency of your choice. If you have any questions about the agency, see the Christian Ministry Coordinator.

In addition to these listed opportunities, listen to the Daily Bulletin read during your homeroom. The Christian Ministry coordinator will notify students through this bulletin of other available opportunities in the community.