The mission of all our programs and events is to provide parents with the support to raise children in the Catholic faith and to enable a family life built upon and completely intertwined with that faith. We need individuals who love Jesus and have a desire to help form Catholic disciples. Volunteer roles are listed below with a brief description of each and a point of contact (via links) if you are interested in serving!
Safe Environment – Adult Volunteers
The Diocese of Charlotte has enhanced its Safe Environment program with new, comprehensive policies and procedures updated for today’s issues and needs. Our previous Virtus program has been changed to a streamlined platform called CMG Connect. CMG Connect will combine all of our Safe Environment screening, onboarding, and training in one place for all clergy, employees, and volunteers.
Volunteer Opportunities
Catechist (Adult or Teen Volunteer): Catechist facilitates an activity or lesson connected to the Sunday Liturgy and Catholic faith for PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN, ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL and SPECIAL NEEDS. Time commitment is ninety minutes to two hours per week when in session.
Youth Group Core Team (Adults): Core Team Member serves as a small group facilitator and program support for our MIDDLE SCHOOL and HIGH SCHOOL youth groups. Time commitment is two to three hours per week with in session.
Family Connections Team (Adult or Teen Volunteer): Team serves at monthly FAMILY EVENTS, helping to set-up, serve, clean up and build community.
Program Session Volunteer (Adults): Serve at FAITH FORMATION SESSIONS to provide support in the safety and logistics of running the session.
Little Catholics (Preschool-Kindergarten)
One of St. Matthew’s sweetest and most loved programs is our Preschool-Kindergarten program which immerses children in their Catholic faith through an interactive curriculum which introduces them to the essential faith concepts and God’s mighty love!
BALLANTYNE: Sunday 9 or 10:45 am
Little Catholics Coordinator: Becky Lennard
SMALL GROUP LEADER: Middle or High School Teens are paired up to lead small groups of six to eight children through four lesson rotations that are lead by adults, bringing the Scripture and Liturgy alive through music, games, crafts and stories. Time commitment is twenty-one sessions during the program year (September to May); sessions are one hour in length, but volunteers are asked to arrive 20 minutes early.
ROTATION LEADER: Adults are paired and provided with a step-by-step guide to facilitate a lesson in one of four rotations: HEAR (stories/Bible time), DO (arts and crafts), PLAY (games and activities) and PRAISE (music and prayer). Time commitment is approximately 10 to 15 minutes of preparation reading in advance of session and twenty-one sessions during the program year (September to May); sessions are one hour in length, but volunteers are asked to arrive 20 minutes early.
SESSION VOLUNTEER: Adults who assist with the arrival, dismissal and general safety of the children during the program hour. Time commitment is twenty-one sessions during the program year (September to May); sessions are one hour in length, but volunteers are asked to arrive 20 minutes early.
Catholic Kids (Elementary and Sacramental Preparation)
The Catholic Kids elementary years focus on the time preparing for and following the reception of first sacraments while supporting parents in forming young disciples! Each grade has a particular focus, but overall the goals of our elementary programs are to encourage curiosity and discovery about our Catholic faith!
BALLANTYNE: Sunday 2:30 or 4 pm; Tuesday 4 or 5:30 pm
WAXHAW: Sunday 4 pm; Wednesday 2:45, 4:15 or 5:45 pm
Catholic Kids Coordinator (Sacraments): Lori Mathews
Catholic Kids Coordinator (3rd to 5th Grade): Michelle Lyberg
ELEMENTARY CATECHIST: Adults or Confirmed High School Teens are paired and provided with a step-by-step guide to facilitate a lesson, discussion and activity for children in first, third, fourth or fifth grade. Time commitment is approximately 10 to 15 minutes of preparation reading in advance of session and twenty-one sessions during the program year (September to May); sessions are one hour in length, but volunteers are asked to arrive 20 minutes early.
SACRAMENTAL CATECHIST: Adults or Confirmed High School Teens are paired and provided with a step-by-step guide to facilitate a lesson, discussion and activity for children children in second, third, fourth or fifth grade who are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist for the first time. Time commitment is approximately 10 to 15 minutes of preparation reading in advance of session and twenty-one sessions during the program year (September to May); sessions are one hour in length, but volunteers are asked to arrive 20 minutes early. When available, presence is welcome to assist at Parent-Child Retreats and the celebrations of the Sacraments.
SESSION VOLUNTEER: Adults who assist with the arrival, dismissal and general safety of the children during the program hour. Time commitment is twenty-one sessions during the program year (September to May); sessions are one hour in length, but volunteers are asked to arrive 20 minutes early.
Catholic Youth (Middle School Years)
Our new middle school programs are designed to provide families with flexible options when scheduling their child’s formation, and even more importantly, provide our Catholic Youth with the chance to form friendships with their peers and the opportunity to discover the joy and strength in a relationship with Christ as they prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation and life as a Catholic teen in today’s world.
BALLANTYNE: Sunday 3:30 pm
Middle School Youth Minister: Avery Utz
YOUTH GROUP CORE TEAM: Adults or Confirmed High School Teens help middle school youth to navigate their world through the lens of faith by providing support for activities, games and small group conversations. Time commitment is approximately 10 to 15 minutes of preparation reading and a 30 minute core team meeting in advance of sessions, sixteen sessions during the program year (September to May); sessions are ninety minutes in length, but volunteers are asked to arrive 20 minutes early.
BALLANTYNE: Sunday 7 pm; Tuesday 7 pm
WAXHAW: Sunday 5:30 or 7:15 pm; Wednesday 7:15 pm
Invited-Ignite Confirmation Coordinator: Amy Bojarski
INVITED CATECHIST: Adults or Confirmed High School Teens are paired and provided with a step-by-step guide to facilitate a lesson, discussion and activity for up to twelve youth in sixth to eighth grade. The program year is divided into three trimesters, with a different faith topic (and group of youth) covered during each one. Time commitment is approximately 10 to 15 minutes of preparation reading in advance of session and seven, fourteen or twenty-one sessions during the program year (September to May); sessions are seventy-five minutes in length, but volunteers are asked to arrive 20 minutes early.
IGNITE CONFIRMATION CATECHIST: Adults or Confirmed High School Teens are paired and provided with a step-by-step guide to facilitate a lesson, discussion and activity for up to twelve teens in eighth or ninth grade. The program year is divided into three trimesters. Time commitment is approximately 10 to 15 minutes of preparation reading in advance of session and seven, fourteen or twenty-one sessions during the program year (September to May); sessions are seventy-five minutes in length, but volunteers are asked to arrive 20 minutes early. When available, presence is welcome to assist at Parent-Child Retreats and the celebrations of the Sacraments.
SESSION VOLUNTEER: Adults who assist with the arrival, dismissal and general safety of the children during the program hour.