Christian Ministry Guide

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 below. If there is ANY question, please see the Director of Christian Ministry.

† 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. Please turn in originals only, but photocopy them for your own records. Photocopies are not allowed to be turned in for credit unless first cleared by the Director of Christian Ministry. We do NOT want parents or volunteer coordinators to mail in your records. The supervisor should initial EACH day of ministry. Also, the supervisor must fill out their information at the bottom of the form and sign the form. N.B. The supervisor must be an adult. Parents may not sign as supervisor in lieu of the actual supervisor. The STUDENT should turn in forms to the Director of Christian Ministry in D21. Only current CM forms are accepted! 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. CM forms MUST be turned in within 6 weeks of completion of the work that is being documented. ANY CM forms turned in later than 6 weeks after completion of the work will not be accepted and are considered null and void. The only exception is summertime hours, which will be accepted the first two weeks back to school in the Fall Semester.

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. Service must be for a non-profit agency such as those listed at the end of this publication. For any other agency or organization type to be validly accepted, it must be approved by the Director of Christian Ministry.

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
An adult 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
We encourage service to Nolan Catholic High School. Helping clean the ball fields after school, tutoring after school, Ambassador functions in the evening, etc., are all excellent ways to earn hours while helping out your Alma Mater. However, hours worked during the course of a school day or as a requirement for a course CANNOT be counted. This would include such things as marching band practice after school, Ambassador Shadow work during school, assisting with a day retreat during school, etc. N.B. Some items, such as retreats, will have some hours associated with them that are valid to claim, as they sometimes involve both school time and outside time. (Exception to this is given ONLY to office aids officially scheduled by the Guidance Department. Office aids will receive 25 hours per semester.) When in question about such events, please contact the Director of Christian Ministry for clarification.

Requirements and Consequences

† 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 after completion of 8^th grade 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 WITHHELD IF HOURS ARE INCOMPLETE.
 

† Monitoring Hours
Christian Ministry hours are updated twice each quarter and posted in the main hallway on the Christian Ministry bulletin board as well as on Edline. In addition, a student is more than welcome to see the Director of Christian Ministry at any time to get the most recent update of his/her hours.

† Consequences for Incomplete Hours
For each school year, there will be a final due date for hours to be counted toward that school year. The date will be published in the NCHS calendar and will be given as a reminder in the Spring Semester to students. If hours are not completed by this date (NOT the last day of school), the student will be placed on academic probation. The student will remain on probation until the required number of hours are completed. Being on academic probation will affect ability to participate in extracurricular activities. For the 2009-2010 school year, a new probationary status will come into effect. In the Fall Semester, students not in compliance will be notified that they are on probation, and they will continue to not be recommended for leadership positions in the school as before, including but not limited to Ambassador, Honor Council, Student Council, and National Honor Society. Beginning in the Spring Semester (January 5, 2010) the new policy will be in full effect. Any student who is on CM probation will not be allowed to participate in ANY extra-curricular events, including but not limited to Student Council, any student clubs, any sports, cheerleading, academic competitions, etc. In addition to this, an incomplete will be documented on the student’s transcript, indicating the probationary status of the student. When the student comes into compliance with the number of hours required, participation in extra-curricular events may continue when cleared by the Director of Christian Ministry. 

† Awards for Exceeding Hour Requirements
Students who go beyond the requirement of hours will be recognized with the following awards. Freshmen will receive a pin for recognition of achievement of 25 hours or more. Sophomores will receive a certificate for recognition of achievement of 50 hours or more. Juniors will receive a certificate for recognition of achievement of 100 hours or more. Seniors will receive a golden cord to be worn at graduation ceremonies for recognition of achievement of 200 hours or more. In addition, for each graduating class, one student will be chosen to receive the Christian Ministry Program Award, which recognizes that person who has most exhibited outstanding service to his/her community at large in the spirit of the Christian Ministry Program.

Common Questions Regarding the Christian Ministry Program

† 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. (see AWARDS above)

† 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. Babysitting (unless for a parish in a group child care setting with supervision), work for family and/or friends, and such do not count. Donations of goods do not count, regardless of the donations site’s policy, but the time spent gathering the goods can count. Work done in one’s home, even with parental and/or adult supervision, cannot be counted. See also “Nolan Catholic Service” above for more information. If there is a question as to whether a specific activity is allowed, please contact the Director of Christian Ministry for approval.

† 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 Director of Christian Ministry 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 Director of Christian Ministry.

Anne Simon Reeve’s Home | 817-536-1160
Arlington Charities | 817-275-1511
Arlington Women’s Shelter | 817-548-0583 | www.womensshelter.org
Beautiful Feet Ministries | 817-536-0505
Catholic Charities | 817-534-0814 | www.ccdofw.org
Eastside Ministries | 817-446-3278 | www.swuuc.org/fjuuc/eastside.htm
Habitat for Humanity | 817-926-9219 | www.fwhabitat.org
Tarrant Area Food Bank | 817-332-9177 | www.tafb.org
Texas Special Olympics | 817-332-3433 | www.sotx.org
Union Gospel Mission | 817-332-2922 | www.uniongospelmissionftw.org

In addition to these listed opportunities, students should listen to the Daily Bulletin read during lunch period, pay attention to the Thursday Homeroom broadcast and check the Christian Ministry bulletin board in the main hallway for specific events available in the larger Tarrant County community. The Director of Christian Ministry will notify students through these venues of other available opportunities in the community.