Service Opportunities

Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church

Service Opportunities

But Jesus summoned them and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:25-28

Service is at the heart of our Christian identity. None of our experiences of faith are complete without an attitude of service. For this reason all candidates are expected to complete at least 20 hours of Christian service each year during the preparation process for a total of 40 hours. Opportunities for group service will be provided several times each year. Information on these opportunities will be made available in class and in the Parish Bulletin. If a candidate is unable to attend enough service projects to fulfill the 40 hour requirement, they will be expected to make up the hours on their own.

The spirit of this service is best fulfilled through one or more of the corporal works of mercy:

 “The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead.  Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God” -- Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraph 2447

For both group and individual service, a typed one-page, double-spaced reflection will be turned in with the service form. Since Christian service helps us to grow in virtue, it is expected that the projects and reflections will be done with a willing heart. When completing service projects for Confirmation please remember to fill out the service form completely and attach the one-page typed and double-spaced reflection. Prayerful attention should be given to both the service and reflection.

In addition to service projects with the Epiphany Youth Group and volunteering within Epiphany events/organizations, service hours may also be earned with outside service related events/organizations with approval by the Director of Religious Education.


Service Hour Opportunities

In order for service hours to count towards Confirmation Service Hours the service must be completed between the beginning of Confirmation Year One (typically around August 15th of 8th grade) and the time of Confirmation (typically fall of 10th grade). Service hours may be completed outside of this time frame for other service requirements including college applications, school community projects, etc.

Service opportunities for those who are 13 years old & younger or those who have not completed Safe Environment Training (including but not limited to):

  • Parish Work Days: average 3- 4 hours per work day
  • Halloween Family Fun Night decorating
  • Halloween Family Fun Night games/kitchen duty/etc.
  • Parish Picnic: average 5 hours per picnic
  • Youth Group Service Projects (examples) – Food Bank, St. Anne’s Retirement Home, Sanctuary, Catholic Charities, Special Care, VA Hospital, Center of Family Love, Birthchoice Classic Servers
  • Altar Server: average 5 hours per year
  • Coffee and Donut Duty (with parents)
  • Hot Dogs for the Homeless (with a parent or Youth Group)
  • Sister BJ’s Food Pantry (with a parent or Youth Group)
  • Catholic Worker food deliveries (with parent or other adult)
  • Vacation Bible School Set-Up/Decorate, Tear-Down
  • Christmas Children’s Choir
  • Epiphany Players
  • Office Helper
  • Youth Leaders
  • Lector

Service opportunities that require a minimum age of 14 years and have completed Safe Environment Training:

  • Vacation Bible School Helper: average 20 hours per summer
  • R.E. Catechist Helper: average 25 hours per year
  • Nursery Helper (volunteer, not paid)