“Do ordinary things with extraordinary Love.” —Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Service and volunteering is our weekly “homework assignment.” Listen to the priest's last words at the end of Mass (after his declaration that “the Mass is ended”...) Along with the Church — and Mother Teresa — he gives us a charge! It is especially important that we be mindful of this in preparing for a sacrament such as Confirmation.

Does it have to be something grand? Of course not! Again, we can follow Mother Teresa—

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”

Suggested Activities and Sites

Agencies, locations and contact information.

Requirements

Confirmandi

As part of the requirements of the Diocese of Belleville for the sacrament of Confirmation, service in the local church, community and "beyond" must be performed by each candidate for Confirmation in our cluster parishes of Saint Francis Xavier Church, Saint Andrew Catholic Church and the SIUC Newman Catholic Student Center. Each candidate for the sacrament of Confirmation must perform twelve (12) hours of public service:

• at least four (4) hours at our local church;
• at least four (4) hours in our community and
• at least four (4) hours in work for organizations or agencies with a regional, national or global scope.

In some instances hours may overlap between community and "beyond" where the candidate may use those hours in one or the other but not both. For instance, work for the Carbondale United Way or Heart Fund may also be work for the national organization.

Others

For Teens in Spirit participants who are not candidates for the sacrament of Confirmation (sophomores who have not yet been confirmed or juniors or seniors who have already received the sacrament), we suggest a minimum of four (4) hours.

Procedure

The procedure is unchanged from the last year or two. Each individual must fill out and print the Volunteer Service Form. Each individual must take the sheet to the appropriate supervisor and the supervisor must sign the Volunteer Service Form and fill in the number of hours worked.

The service done must be uncompensated work or it would not be volunteering.

If the candidate has a question about the appropriateness and qualification of the work, the candidate must receive permission from the Coordinators, the Pastor or Pastoral Associate before performing the service.

If the candidate is doing service work as a requirement for something other than Confirmation, the candidate may count it, if it is appropriate service for Confirmation requirements as well.

Documenting Volunteer Hours

You must get a form — hard copy or complete, print and submit the online form — take the completed form to the person who is supervising the event or your activity. Obtain their signature and turn in the completed form to the Teens in Spirit coordinator.

Keeping Track of Hours

Until the end-of-year deadline, Teens in Spirit will maintain an online record of completed hours once the first hours are turned in.

Last update: Friday, January 11, 2008