After 3-months of shutdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, St. Mary Church in Mokena is offering Masses with attendance limits as long as enough volunteers sign up to assist with key Eucharistic and health safety functions. The more volunteers that sign up, the more Masses St. Mary will be able to offer.
Below are frequently asked questions for parishioners considering volunteering.
Who Can Volunteer? Anyone can volunteer, with a few exceptions. Eucharistic ministers must be at least 18 years of age. Volunteers over age 65 are allowed, although they must sign a Diocesan waiver form since they are at a higher risk for Covid-19 complications.
Which Masses Can I Volunteer for? The following Masses need volunteers:
- Saturday: 5 PM
- Sunday: 8 AM, 9:30 AM, 11 AM, 6 PM
- Monday-Friday: 8 AM
How Do Volunteers Sign Up? Simply fill out this volunteer sign-up form.
When is the Deadline to Volunteer? We will welcome new volunteers anytime.
How Many Volunteers Are Needed Per Mass? Depending on the day and time of the Mass, we may need between 5 and 20 volunteers.
Can I Volunteer for Other Events Besides Mass? Once activities resume in the parish, more volunteers may become necessary. We would welcome new volunteers at that time.
What Are the Volunteer Positions? The available volunteer position are as follows:
- Usher: Assist people to designated pews. Distribute hand sanitizer prior to congregants receiving Holy Communion. Help with dismissal procedures.
- Greeting Volunteer: Assist in managing the flow of congregants as they enter the church. Make sure attendees have registered online. Ensure attendees use hand sanitizer upon entering and are wearing a mask. Take temperatures upon entry.
- Cleaning Volunteer (Indoor Only): Maintain and clean trafficked areas of the church after Mass. Masks and gloves will be provided or you may use your own. Approved cleaning and disinfecting supplies will also be provided.
- Eucharistic Ministers: Distribute Holy Communion. Must be 18 or over, Confirmed, and living in a State of Grace.
Do I Have to Commit to a Mass Time Every Week? No. Our goal is to get enough volunteers to be able to have a rotation to suit people’s desired schedule.
Can I Switch Volunteer Positions or Times After Committing? Yes.
How Many Weeks Do Volunteers Commit To? There is no set timeframe associated with volunteering. You can stop whenever you need.
How Does Training Work? There is a training session to cover the procedures followed by the different volunteer positions.
Can I Show Up to Volunteer Last Minute? No. In order to ensure adequate coverage for each Mass and properly train volunteers, we need you to schedule in advance.
What If I Cannot Make the Training Time? The volunteer coordinators will work with the volunteers to make sure they are up to speed on procedures, even outside the training times.
Do Volunteers Have Close Contact with Attendees? Most volunteers will be working relatively close to attendees, whether they are checking temperatures, distributing hand sanitizer, or distributing Holy Communion. However, each volunteer and attendee will be wearing a mask for protection.
What If I Cannot Make My Scheduled Volunteer Time? For now, all we ask is that you notify the volunteer coordinators. Our goal is to get enough volunteers to be able to have a pool of volunteers so people can find their own substitutes.
If you feel called to volunteer, please fill out this volunteer sign-up form, and we will get in touch with you regarding the next steps.
The Mokena Marian 