Volunteer with Faith Formation
To help our Faith Formation programs fruitfully and effectively share the Catholic faith with our children, we need many volunteers! There are many different volunteer roles with our classes, something to best use everyone’s gifts and talents!
SJN’s Children’s Faith Formation program serves students in Grades K-5. If you prefer volunteering with older students, we have opportunities to serve in both our Rooted program (Grades 6-8) and our High School Youth Ministry (Grades 9-12).
There are also opportunities with our Adapted Religious Education program or to share your gifts through administrative support.
We have a place for every one–any time or talent, big or small, we have a place for you to come, be who you are and share our Catholic faith!

Children’s Faith Formation (Grades K-5)

Children’s faith formation classes meet weekly at one of three different session times:
Sunday, 8:45-10 a.m.
Sunday, 10:45 a.m. -12 p.m.
Tuesday, 5:15-6:30 p.m.

There are many volunteer opportunities to use your time and talent:

Lead Catechists (Adults only): Lead one grade’s weekly class lessons, using the textbooks and guides provided by SJN Faith Formation.
Class Assistants (Adult or Teen): Aid the lead catechist by helping children to participate and learn.
Session Coordinators: Assist the Faith Formation Office during classes by taking attendance, communicating with catechists, helping with first aid, and other tasks.
Substitute Catechists: Available to fill-in for catechists (usually with more than one week notice and provided materials in advance).
Volunteer for Children’s K-5 Faith Formation
Contact Phil Prinzivalli at pprinzivalli@saintjn.org with any questions.

Rooted (Grades 6-8)

The Rooted program is SJN’s middle school (6th-8th grade) faith formation program. To learn more about the program, click here or read about the Rooted volunteer experience.

Volunteer for Rooted

Contact Angela Davis at adavis@saintjn.org with any questions.

High School Youth Ministry

Our high school (9-12th grade) youth ministry is in need of volunteers for the following events:
  • Weekend youth group (on-going volunteer)
  • Chaperones for retreats, day trips, etc. (one-time volunteer)
  • Salesian Mass (on-going or one-time volunteer)
  • Service events, such as Work Camp (on-going or one-time volunteer, depending on event)
For more information or to volunteer, contact Eric Muñoz at emunoz@saintjn.org or 703-860-6141.

Adapted Religious Education (ARE)

The ARE program at SJN is for elementary-age to adult parishioners. To learn more about the program, visit the ARE page.
For more information or to volunteer, contact George Dellagiarino at della1234@comcast.net or 703-476-4078.

Office Help

There is often much to do in the background at the Faith Formation Office, especially at the start of the school year! If you are interested in helping during office hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), contact Silvia Bustamante at sbustamante@saintjn.org or 703-390-2348.

Requirements

All adults who wish to volunteer with the children must be Child Protection compliant. The Diocese of Arlington requires all adult volunteers who work with children and teens to complete a background check and VIRTUS training provided by the Diocese of Arlington. For more information, please contact the Faith Formation Office at 703-860-2815.

Can teens and college-age young adults help out?

Absolutely! Teens and college-age young adults (especially those who have previously been or currently in a faith formation program at SJN) are welcome to help out with a grade at least four years below their current age. (For example: If a 10th grader would like to be a catechist, he or she can volunteer with 6th grade and below.)  Only those 18 and over need to be Child Protection compliant (see above).