Ascension’s Faith Formation is rooted in the vision and mission of Ascension parish. 
Our Faith Formation program is for all generations and all people.  Faith Formation in the parish happens in the liturgy, prayer, within our homes, and by serving those in need.  Ascension Faith Formation is a call to reach out beyond one’s self and community and answer our baptismal call to grow in our faith and share the Good News.


Our cathecists & Faith Formation volunteers at Ascension do not help students to simply KNOW ABOUT   Jesus and our Catholic Faith, they help our students to truly ENCOUTNER  Jesus in the beauty and rich tradition of our Catholic Faith! 

Adult Volunteer Positions

• Catechists - teach lesson plans according to grade level curriculum incorporating prayers and traditions 
• Substitute Catechists - In the event of an absence of a catechist, substitue will fill in to teach based on their availability
• Hall Monitors - Provide general office help and monitor foot traffic in hallways and restrooms during class throughout the Faith Formation year
• Parking Lot Assistants - Assist/monitor students walking to and from parking lot before and after Faith Formation classes to ensure their safety
• Youth Group Leaders/Sponsors - Memebers provide for the needs of Youth Group and help out with middle/highschool events. This may include chaperoning, serving food and drink, providing transporatation, helping with games, or leading small group discussions
• Faith Formation Committee Memebers - Members advise on all aspects of youth and adult formation to the Faith Formation Director. Members meet 4-5 times a year. 
• Vacation Bible School Leaders - Assist with any of the stations during days of Vacation Bible School in the summer, such as: crafts, lessons, games, snacks, etc. 
• Dining in Faith Volunteers - Assist the Knights of Columbus with the monthly Faith Formation meals by serving food and cleaning tables
• Faith Formation Events - Assist at special events with preparations, serving refreshments, helping monitor children, cleaning up for events such as Living Rosary, Stations, social events, etc. 
• Retreat Volunteers - Assist at retreats for 1st Eucharist/Reconciliation, and Confirmation with set-up, tear down, and serving food. 

Student Volunteer Positions

• Assistant Catechists - Assist with activities, leading lesssons, and monitoring students during class under supervision of the head catechist
• Hall Monitors - Provide general office help and monitor foot traffic in hallways and restrooms during class throughout the Faith Formation year
• Parking Lot Assistants - Assist/monitor students walking to and from parking lot before and after Faith Formation classes to ensure their safety
• Youth Ministry Core Team - Members adivse Director on youth ministry program  by helping to plan events, give input, implement activities, etc. 
• Vacation Bible School Leaders - Assist with any of the stations during days of Vacation Bible School in the summer, such as: crafts, lessons, games, snacks, etc. 
• Dining in Faith Volunteers - Assist the Knights of Columbus with the monthly Faith Formation meals by serving food and cleaning tables
• Faith Formation Events - Assist at special events with preparations, serving refreshments, helping monitor children, cleaning up for events such as Living Rosary, Stations, social events, etc. 

1. Catechesis promotes knowledge of the Faith. Teaching the basics of the Faith, such as the Creed and key aspects of God's self-revelation found in Scripture and Tradition. 
2. Catechesis promotes meaningful participation in liturgical worship and the sacramental life of the Church. 
3. Catechesis teaches Christians how to pray with Christ, in Christ, and in communion with the Church. 
4. Catechesis initiates the Christan into the life of local church community and fosters active participation in the mission of the Church.
5. Catechesis initates the Christian into the life of local church community and fosters active participation in the mission of the Church. 
6. Catechesis promotes a missionary spirit that prepares Christians to witness to Christ in society.  

Responsibilities of a Catechist:

• To prepare, set up, and lead the lesson
• To arrive on time
• To participate in on-going catechist formation 
• To integrate Sacred Scripture in class lessons
• To integrate prayer as part of every lesson
• To follow discipleine practices of the Catechist & Faith Formtion handbook
• To comply with all diocesean policies
• To let the Director of Faith Formation know of any problesms in class that day

Personal Qualities Needed: 

• To believe in Jesus through the Catholic Tradition and want to share that belief with others
• To be committed to the Catholic Church and the Church's teaching mission
• To be comfortable with/able to communicate effectively with age groups that he/she will be catechizing 
• To be able to deal with conflict and disagreement in a sensitive manner

Length of Commitment:
To be of service from September to May 

Supervision/Support:
To have weekly contact with the Director of Faith Formation

Benefits of being a Catechist: 
An opportunity to share your faith with youth; to guide their growth as Catholic Christians; to be challenged to grow as an adult Catholic; to recieve support of other adult leaders.


"God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth: that is, of Christ Jesus. Christ must be prolaimed to all the nations and individuals, so that this revelation may reach to the ends of the earth." ~ Catechism of the Catholic Church, #74

Catehist Training & Communication: 
Catechists are provided with on-going training & support throughout the Faith Formation year.

• There is one Catechist meeting in early September for orientating and training
• The Director of Faith Formation will send a weekly email entitled "Joyful Noise" with informtaion for each week
• There is a Catechist Retreat in early January that all catechists are expected to attend so that they may grow in relationship with other catechists, discuss what their classes have been like so far, and listen to a guest speaker discuss Catholic Education on the parish level 

Class Sessions: 
Please take time to get to know your class and memorize their names. Knowing a student's name is important as it helps to make them feel known and recognized. It is important to know your faith story and the role God plays in your life. The best textbook your class will read and see is you as the catechist. It is OKAY to not know something, but say you willl find the answer for them (with older students discuss possinble answers and then find the answer, the Director will be around to help answer questions). 

Lesson Plans: 
There is a curriculum/lesson plan spe cifically designed around our calendar for the Faith Formation year at this parish given by the Director of Faith Formation. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with the lesson plan before each class so that you know what is expected of the catechist, student, and any special activities or materials that may be needed for each session. You should try to take at least one hour to prepare for each session so you know the objective for each class. Please feel free to make adapations to the lesson to fit your style of teaching and the personalities/learning styles of your students. If you have any questions or need help, feel free to ask the Director of Faith Formation or a sesasoned catechist. 

Class Visits: 
The Director of Faith Formation & Youth Ministry will periodically make visits into classrooms to check on classroom teaching style, management, and support you as the catechist.


"The catechist is essentially a mediator. They faciliate communication between the people and the mystery of God, between subjects amonget themselves, as well as with the community."        ~ General Directory for Catechesis, #156

As the main catechist for a given class, you are responsible for finding a replacement when you are unable to teach your class. If you are unable to find a sub after contacting several on the subsitute catechist list, you can contact the Director of Faith Formation to help assist. Please make sure that you update your substitute on the lesson assignemnt for the week. 

The substitute MUST be someone who as completed a background check and safe environment with Ascension Catholic Church. A spouse or a friend who is not on the catechist or substitute catechist list is not able to fill in per rules of the Diocese of Bismarck. Pelase remember that you will have better luck finding a substitute if you plan ahead. In case of unforeseeable events such as sickness, family emergency, etc., please contact the Director of Faith Formation & Youth Ministry and they will take care of finding you a substitute.  

If you would like more information or if are interested in serving Ascension as a Catechist or under any volunteer position, please contact our Director of Faith Formation & Youth Ministry. Your heart for service and ministry is a gift to us!