Peer Ministry Overview Program Description The Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi Peer Ministry program strives to develop strong Catholic leaders and Christian disciples to serve in the various components of the Middle and High School Youth Ministry Programs of the parish and greater community. Through the program, these specifically chosen Peer Ministers, 10 th through 12 th graders who exhibit a willingness to serve, lead, and support their peers, will develop a deeper relationship with God, a stronger Catholic identity, and a clearer understanding of their place of importance in the community. Through a wide variety of ministry roles, SFA Peer Ministers will help lead their fellow teen to a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. With our call to discipleship as its cornerstone, SFA Peer Ministry is a prime opportunity for all youth to foster their servant leadership potential, build community, and seek out the many ways they can serve as disciples of Christ. Through training and first-hand experience, they will grow a heart for service, learn leadership skills, improve their prayer life, and become an active voice in the church. Peer Ministry team members should: Have a personal understanding of Jesus and a willingness to share that understanding with others Possess an openness to growing in faith Be willing to have a servant s attitude, putting others before themselves Be spiritually and emotionally healthy Be free of serious wrong-doing in their life Be performing well in school Be enrolled in grades 10 through 12 for the 2017-18 school year Peer Ministry team members will also be expected to: Participate in a Peer Ministry Training Program Attend appropriate planning meetings for their ministry areas Participate regularly in Middle School or High School Faith Formation events Act in a way befitting a Christian disciple Applicants need to know and understand this commitment to SFA Peer Ministry involves a deep responsibility in time and challenge. Consistent attendance at required meetings, a commitment to daily prayer, and the willingness to serve your peers is essential. As a member of the Peer Ministry team you will experience hard work, lots of fun, and the support and encouragement of the vibrant faith community of St. Francis of Assisi. In addition, a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment, spiritual challenge and growth, and the satisfaction of serving others will be yours! Your involvement as a Peer Minister will call and challenge you to be more than you are today. Are you up for the task?!? Application Procedures Please read over the following procedures for your SFA Peer Ministry application and note the requirements and the due date. Applications must be submitted on or before the due date. 1. Read over all of the information and prayerfully consider your call to serve as a Peer Minister. 2. Discuss the commitment with your parent(s)/guardian(s). 3. Fill out the 2017-2018 Peer Ministry Application Form, below or online as completely as possible. 4. Carefully read over and sign the Peer Ministry Covenant and sign if you are willing to adhere to it. Complete the Applicant Essay questions. Forms can be filled out below or online. 5. Get TWO letters of recommendation from adults that are non-family members who can tell us about you and why you would make a great Peer Minister. Letters can be emailed directly to Alex.Mancuso@stfrancisraleigh.org or can be mailed to St. Francis of Assisi, Attn: Alex Mancuso, 11401 Leesville Road, Raleigh, NC 27613. 6. Complete the Peer Ministry Application Form, Peer Ministry Covenant, Applicant Essays and two letters of recommendation no later than March 5 th, 2017. 7. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance to the program by March 10th, 2017. Peer Ministers will be commissioned in the fall. 1
Peer Ministry 2017-2018 Application Form Applicant s name: Mother s/guardian s Name: Father s/guardian s Name: Grade (2017-2018 academic year): School: Has the applicant received the Sacrament of Confirmation? Y / N T-Shirt Size If so, when and at which parish? Home Phone: Parent Email: Mother/Guardian s Cell: Father/Guardian s Cell: Applicant s Cell: Do you receive Text messages? Y / N Applicant s Email: Address: City: State: Zip: I have read through this application packet with my youth and we both understand the qualifications and deep level of commitment required of a Peer Minister. I approve of my son s/daughter s application to the Saint Francis of Assisi 2017-2018 Peer Ministry Program. Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: Peer Ministry Training Program Dates: Youth are expected to attend all trainings. March 12, 2017 from 3-5:30pm March 26, 2017 from 3-5:30pm July 8, 2017 from 10am-3pm July 15, 2017 from 10am-3pm 2
Applicant Essays: (Please answer legibly in the space provided, or attach additional sheets for your answers.) 1. Please tell us why you would like to serve as a Peer Minister. 2. How has God made a difference in your life? How would you describe your relationship with God? 3. Please list two gifts you would bring to the SFA Peer Ministry team and two areas of improvement that the team could help you turn into strengths. 3
4. Share an experience when you served others. What surprised, moved, or challenged you? 5. What activities do you plan to participate in during the coming school year (feel free to list these- including jobs, school activities, SFA Youth Ministry activities, etc.)? 6. Please tell us anything else you would like us to know about you and your desire to become a Saint Francis of Assisi Peer Minister. 4
The Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi Peer Ministry Covenant Jesus, in his life and ministry, showed us how to be in the world while remaining dedicated to God. Our Peer Ministry Team uses Jesus and his disciples as the team model we will attempt to follow. Again, please prayerfully consider your call to be a Peer Minister and then initial each statement below and then sign if you agree to abide by our covenant. I have read the Peer Ministry Overview and acknowledge the expectations. I commit myself to respect and follow our adult team leaders and to serve on the team in the manner they request of me. I commit to helping build our community by being consistent in attendance and by treating the other team members as I would like to be treated. I commit to following Jesus and therefore, I commit myself to serving others- by being welcoming, hospitable, compassionate, and caring, remembering that what I do should bring greater glory to God and not to me. I commit to doing my best to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others through my words, prayers, and especially my actions. I commit to following the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church, and to carefully observe the roles the Church has established. I will regularly attend Sunday Mass. I commit myself to a lifestyle that will be a model to my peers. I will not partake in drugs, alcohol, sexual activity, profanity, negative talk, or gossip, and do my best to avoid sin. I commit myself to take time for prayer and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit. I commit to respectfully accepting the ministry assignments I am given by the Office of Youth Ministry in order to serve the youth and community of St. Francis of Assisi. I commit to being part of a team- sharing the gifts God has given me and being willing to discover new gifts further serve our community. Applicant Signature: Date: 5