Family Formation Catechist: 

Family Formation is a family-based catechetical program that helps families to grow in the transforming love of God by understanding and living the Catholic Faith. Sessions are held monthly on Sunday mornings between October and May. Catechists are needed to teach children in grades 1-8 during these monthly sessions.

Becoming Catholic:

This process by which adults join us in our Catholic faith is offered in a series of Tuesday evening sessions beginning in September each year. Members of our parish serve as team members and sponsors for those moving toward reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. 

Vacation Bible School:

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a summer educational program which teaches children from 3 years of age to 5th grade about the Bible. Evangelization and education help enrich children and their friends in a life closer to God. A variety of volunteers are needed, especially during the days of VBS.

Prayer Chain:

Prayer Chain is a group who agree to pray for specific intention or people who are connected with our Parish and surrounding community. Members are needed to forward on prayer intentions, organize and manage prayer requests, and pray.

Vocations Committee:

The Vocations Committee strives to promote and encourage priestly and religious vocations within our Parish community and families, and to foster an atmosphere of respect for priests and religious through prayer, awareness, invitation, and support. Volunteers are needed to support the committee.

Marriage Ministry Team:

Marriage Ministry is dedicated to supporting couples in building and strengthening their marriages through faith. The ministry offers various programs and events designed to nurture the spiritual and emotional bonds between spouses, promoting communication, mutual respect, and a Christ-centered relationship. Team members are needed to plan, organize, and conduct events.

Confirmation Prep Catechist/Small Group Leader: 

Youth Confirmation Preparation for 8th grade and high school youth is held monthly on Sunday evenings. Catechists and small group leaders help guide those who are preparing to be confirmed.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Catechist:

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a form of hands-on religious formation for children 3-6 years of age. Children meet on Sunday mornings in between the Masses from September through May. Trained catechists and assistants are needed to lead these sessions.

Children's Liturgy of the Word

GriefShare

GriefShare is a support program for those navigating the journey of healing after loss.GriefShare offers a safe space to process your grief, connect with others facing similar struggles, and access resources to help you find relief and stability. 

Coffee & Donuts: 

Coffee and donuts are provided monthly in the Parish Center between Sunday Masses as an opportunity for fellowship among the members of and visitors to Nativity. Volunteers assist with planning, setup and clean-up.

Mercy Meals: 

Funeral meals are provided to give comfort and support to families in their time of need. The aim of the group is to relieve families of the burdensome task of providing food for family and friends during their time of grief. One group of volunteers serves on the day of the meal to prepare the space and coordinate the food; other volunteers are contacted to provide food for the meal.

Seniors Group: 

The Seniors Group meets on a monthly basis for lunch, social time and fellowship. The group has been in existence for over 40 years and heartily welcomes new members at any time.

Prime Timers: 

Monthly activities are planned by this group, such as movies, concerts, pitch ins, games etc. All those in the parish who are 50 years old and older are invited to participate in this social and fellowship group.

Quilting Group: 

A group of creative and compassionate individuals who use their sewing and crafting skills to make a positive impact. These volunteers quilt blankets, preemie quilts, book pillowcases, burp cloths, hats and scarves to donate to the Birthline and other charities, while enjoying fellowship with each other. Welcome to join us to sew in the evenings every 2nd Monday of the month and during the day every 3rd Monday.  

Prayer Shawl Ministry: 

The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month in the parish center from 9:00 till noon to knit shawls for those that are ill, lonely, or have experienced trauma or loss. After the prayer shawls are made and blessed, they are free for distribution to those in need of comfort. 

Women of the Word (WOW): 

Women of the Word (WOW) is a group for all women, 18 and older, of the Nativity Catholic Church and School community. We offer a variety of events, both spiritual and social, in order to build a strong community of women encouraging one another through their life and faith journey. WOW also offers events for family members, kids, and friends.

Father’s Group: 

Established for fathers of the parish and school to help instill a community whereby fathers can be good examples to their sons and daughters while increasing fellowship, camaraderie, and goodwill through acts of stewardship. The members plan and coordinate fundraisers for school needs and provide time and talent for Parish activities throughout the year.

New Parishioner Ministry:

Provides a quarterly welcome orientation in the Parish Center for new members that may include hosting a dinner or coordinating with coffee & donuts to welcome them to Nativity.

Special Events : 

Volunteers help host dinners, snacks and drinks for various parish events.

Easter Egg Hunt:

Volunteers help host the annual Easter Egg Hunt. The majority of support is needed on the day of the event including set up, helping children with pre-planned crafts and activities, and clean up.

Knights of Columbus: 

The Father Louis T. Gootee K of C Council protects, defends and promotes Catholic concerns. Primary concerns are Catholic education, religious vocations, and right-to-life as well as support of Catholic widows and orphans. The Council currently includes about 50 men from the parish who pay dues and conduct fund raisers to support their mission. The Council meets monthly. 

Concert Series: 

The Nativity Concert Series welcomes professional and community musicians to Nativity for concerts throughout the year. Volunteers are needed on concert days (typically three per year) to help host the event (set up/tear down; usher; help with refreshments). 

Altar Servers: 

Girls and boys in the fifth grade are invited to begin server training. Altar servers assist the priest and deacon during Sunday and Holy Day Masses. Monthly schedules are provided to fifth through eighth graders through school an online ministry scheduling system. 

Adult Choir: 

The Adult Choir sings at the 11:00 Sunday Mass twice a month and for major Holy Days throughout the year, September through Pentecost. Rehearsals are every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. in church. No audition is needed. 

Funeral Choir: 

The Funeral Choir actively participates in funeral masses by providing a strong voice in sung and spoken prayer. No choir or other formal singing experience is necessary, just a willingness to join in basic congregational singing with others. The funeral choir does not have regular meetings or rehearsals, and members can participate in as many funerals as they are able.

Instrumental Musicians:

Musicians with proficiency on a particular instrument are encouraged to contact the Music Director to discern how they might become involved in Liturgical Music at Nativity.  

Art and Environment Committee:

Volunteers assist in enhancing our worship environment through the use of material items such as plants, flowers, banners, etc. Assistance is especially needed in decorating the church for Christmas and Easter.

Sacristans: 

Volunteer sacristans are responsible for maintaining and changing of candles as needed, the weekly changing of the sanctuary light, maintaining holy water fonts, changing of altar linens, and maintaining servers’ albs.   

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:

Eucharistic Ministers assist with the distribution of Communion during weekend Masses. Training is held prior to serving in this role, and schedules are put together using an online ministry scheduling system.

Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound: 

Volunteers are needed to take communion to homebound parishioners on Sunday mornings as well as lead monthly communion services at Avalon Assisted Living Facility. Frequency depends on the number of volunteers and are scheduled on a rotating basis.  

Lectors: 

Lectors proclaim the Scripture readings and Intercessions during the Mass. This ministry’s purpose is to engage the people in the living Word being spoken and heard. Workbooks and training are provided for each reader and a schedule is developed using an online ministry scheduler system. 

Ushers: 

Ushers greet parishioners, gather collection, distribute bulletins and straighten up church following Mass. Ushers commit to serving at a particular weekend Mass for a month at a time on a three-month rotation.         

A/V (Livestream) Technician:

 The Sunday 8:30 am Mass is livestreamed on the Nativity YouTube Channel. Volunteers are needed to control the camera system during the livestream.

Parent Faculty Organization (PFO):

The organization provides funds to purchase classroom items and to provide student programs. Book Fair, Back to School Night, Teacher Appreciation lunches and Trash Bag Sales are a few of the events sponsored by Nativity PFO. Volunteers, with commitments ranging from one to many hours, are needed for all events. 

School Facilities and Grounds Volunteers:

Alumni Engagement: 

This committee is for adults who attended Nativity Catholic School and would like to give back to our school community. Meetings can be determined by the group or on an as needed basis.

Technology Committee:

While the school contracts with a technology company to take care of our IT needs, this committee will help brainstorm the future of IT at Nativity Catholic School. Meetings can be determined by the group or on an as needed basis.

Substitute Teachers: 

Sign up if you are interested in substitute teaching at Nativity Catholic School. Pay is $120 per day. A minimum of one year of college credit is required.

School Event Volunteers:

Nativity Catholic School needs volunteers throughout the school year to help prepare for and serve on the day of several school events, such as Walk-a-Thon, Variety Show, School Musical, and Field Day. Volunteers will be contacted by event organizer. You can sign up for any/all events or just a specific event.

Facilities and Grounds Volunteer: 

This group assists the Stewardship Commission in many of the work projects/repairs that take place in the parish. Some of the repairs are scheduled to be completed on Parish Work Days that are advertised to the parish at large for participation. Some of the repairs are made by the volunteers on the committees. 

Augustravaganza (Parish Festival): 

 Nativity’s parish festival, Augustravaganza, is an annual celebration. Committee leads are needed to organize various aspects of the festival, and several hundred volunteers are needed to cover all aspects of our end-of-the-summer August festival. 

Reverse Raffle:

One of Nativity’s largest annual fundraisers, the Reverse Raffle is held on a Saturday evening in February. Committee members assist in planning the event and additional volunteers are needed during the Reverse Raffle itself.

Collection Counters: 

A trusted team of parishioners assists in counting the Sunday collection. Those who volunteer for this role must be approved by the pastor and receive specific training in this ministry.

Landscaping Ministry:

Volunteer parishioners maintain the flower and plant landscaping around the church and Parish Center. Each volunteer is given a section of the landscaping for which they are responsible.

CYO Athletics: 

The purpose of this committee is to provide athletic enrichment through physical and spiritual growth for parish children through the Catholic Youth Organization athletic program. Values stressed are sportsmanship, fellowship, team spirit, discipline, responsibility and leadership skills. A variety of volunteers are needed to coach, sell concessions, take tickets, maintain equipment, schedule use of facilities, keep financial records and maintain baseball and football fields. There is a 3 year commitment to be 1 of 7 committee members and coaches commit on a seasonal basis. Meetings are held monthly. An on-going goal of this ministry is to ensure all parish children feel welcome to participate. 

Scouts BSA: 

The Nativity Boy Scout troop meets every Tuesday and spends one week a year at a summer camp. Adult volunteers must have good attitudes, be honest and be able to work with boys ages 12-18. The Boy Scouts are self-supporting from popcorn sales, collecting aluminum cans, and working at Waterman’s Farm Market. Nativity provides meeting facilities. 

Girl Scouts:

The Nativity Girl Scout program has a volunteer organizer and one leader per grade. Leaders plan meetings and field trips and other volunteers are needed to assist and supervise. Leaders need to be organized and typically conduct 1 troop meeting and 1 outing per month. 

Cub Scouts: 

Cub Scouts Pack 462 has a variety of dens for boys in kindergarten through 5th grade. Adult volunteers must have good attitudes, be honest, and be able to work with boys of this age group. Nativity provides meeting facilities. Each den sets its own meeting times.

Middle School Youth Group Volunteers:

Adult volunteers assist regular gatherings of middle school youth both at Nativity and as part of deanery or Archdiocesan gatherings. Must complete Safe Parish training and a background check.

High School Youth Group Volunteers: 

Adult volunteers assist as chaperones, small group leaders, catechists, and organizers for ministry with high school youth. Youth Group gatherings are generally held monthly on Sunday evenings. Youth also attend deanery, Archdiocesan, and national events, including NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference). Must complete Safe Parish training and a background check.

Purse Bingo Volunteers: 

An annual fundraiser that supports youth ministry, Purse Bingo is generally held on a weeknight in December. Volunteers are needed to plan the event and work that night in a variety of roles. 

St. Vincent de Paul Society: 

The Nativity Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society meets regularly to share their faith and friendship and to coordinate direct service to neighbors in need within our parish boundaries. Additional volunteers assist at the SVDP Food Pantry, Distribution Center, and other projects. 

God’s Bounty Food Pantry:

In cooperation with several other Franklin Township churches, this food pantry is staffed by volunteers. Located in downtown Wanamaker, God’s Bounty is open Thursdays from 1-6:30 p.m.

Pro-Life Ministry: 

All life is a gift from God. All life must be upheld, treasured, and respected. Pro-Life Ministry supports all life from conception to natural death through education, legislation, and donations. These donations assist organizations that provide women alternatives to abortion as well as Indianapolis Right to Life.

Blood Drive:

 Blood donations are solicited from Nativity Parish members for use by the Central Indiana Regional Blood Center to support the needs of our community. These Blood Drives are typically held twice a year and require a coordinator and volunteers.

Giving Tree: 

The Giving Tree is an opportunity for the Parish to come together to help families at Christmas time. The Giving Tree is placed in the main entrance of the church during Advent. Parish members are asked to select an ornament, purchase the requested item and return it, unwrapped. Volunteers are needed to sort the donations and deliver them to local agencies.

Anna’s House Ministry:  

Anna’s House serve individuals, homeless and families that are located in or near the west side of Indianapolis. We have a free community dinner every Wednesday evening. Every Saturday is our food pantry sorting and distribution. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed for these weekly events.