Religious Education Formation Volunteers

Our St. Damian Religious Education Program needs volunteers to help "Teach our Children."  We gather for class approximately three Mondays a month. The hours for volunteering are from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  Classes begin on Monday, September 8, 2025 to May 4, 2026.

Volunteer Catechist:

We are looking for faithful, reliable, and responsible adults 18 years or over to teach our faith to our students in Levels 1st to 8th. You will be responsible for teaching every Monday night session, working with the Faith Formation Coordinator and other Catechists on additional material for your class. If you want to share your faith with our students, please join us.

Teacher’s Aide:

You will be responsible for helping the teachers in their classrooms. Teacher's Aides take attendance, help with crafts and other activities in the classroom.  This is a great opportunity for high school students to live their faith by serving others.

Office Aides:

Aides will help in the RE office, organizing and sorting classroom materials, distributing letters or notes to teachers, and collecting special projects and attendance.  This is another chance for high schoolers to serve the parish and learn both office and computer skills.

Hall Monitors:

You will be stationed at designated areas in the school.  Monitors will assist in keeping the halls clear and quiet and entrances/exits secure while classes are in session.

Drop off/Pick Up Assistants:

We will need your assistance in guiding the safety of the entrance and exiting of our RE students and families. You will be located outside during drop off and pickup times. We need your help with making sure everyone follows safety requirements while entering, exiting, and parking.

All these positions are very gratifying and will help our program to continue to be St. Damian Strong. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Mary Melody at 708-687-7778 or re@stdamianchurch.org

Need a little nudge?

Read this reflection from catechist Sandy Katula:

"The greatest gift you can give someone is the gift of your time." If you grew up in the Katula household, you would have heard this hundreds of times throughout your childhood. But what can you give your Saint Damian family as a gift? Sure money is always welcome but a gift of your time is equally appreciated. While there are many ministries to choose from, I would encourage you to consider participating in the Religious Education program. Not only will you be giving a gift of your time but you will also make many new friends and grow in your own catholic faith along the way. 

My journey began one Monday night after I dropped Tessa off at RE.  What was I going to do to fill the time before I picked her up?  The trips to Menards and Home Depot were getting to be quite expensive. It was time for me to walk the talk. "The greatest gift you can give someone is the gift of your time." The next year I signed on as one of the 6th grade RE teachers. It did not take long for me to realize that time was not my gift to give but was the gift my students gave me. Every week we discussed the role God had played in their lives. Their insights were thoughtful and genuine. Each week I left with a greater appreciation for the small things God shares with us on a daily basis. 

Why didn't I volunteer sooner?  That's an easy question. I did not feel I knew enough about my catholic faith to teach it to students. I learned a lot that first year. And I continue to be a work in progress. There were plenty of times students asked me questions I could not answer. A little research and I was prepared to answer that challenging question the next week. 

Did teaching impact my family?  Sure it did. We have resorted to scrambled eggs, soup or waffles on Monday nights so I can be ready for RE class after a long day of work. My lessons have become part of our family discussions around the dinner table. It has allowed us all to grow in our faith. But most importantly it has helped us experience the embrace of our extended St. Damian family. Often at mass we hear that St. Damian is our home. St. Damian has been my home for over 50 years. It took teaching RE to feel the embrace that comes with being a participating member of the St. Damian family. 

Our parish has so much to offer. I found my niche in the Religious Education program. Please consider joining me for the upcoming school year.     

Sandy Katula