To perform acts of service is an important part of our call as baptized Christians. Many opportunities are provided for young people to grow in their understanding and experience of service. The service opportunities can vary from year to year. In the past, young people have participated in Harvest Sunday, the Care Pantry Christmas, Feed My Starving Children, and the DuPage River Cleanup. In addition to participation in service projects, opportunities are provided for young people to understand the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and how their acts of service fit into ‘the bigger picture’ of what we are called to do as followers of Jesus.
An Overview of Service Opportunities
Feed My Starving Children
An opportunity to pack nutritious meals which are sent to children around the world. Feed My Starving Children offers volunteer opportunities 6 days a week. Each volunteer slot is 1.5 hours. This is a family-friendly (and COVID-safe) volunteer opportunity.
- How to volunteer: Go to https://www.fmsc.org/get-involved/volunteer.
- Location: The Feed My Starving Children meal packing facility is located at 555 Exchange Court, Aurora, Illinois.
Harvest Sunday
St. Thomas the Apostle, along with several Catholic churches in Naperville, conducts a Harvest Sunday food collection each fall to feed the hungry in our area. Over 500 of our parishioners participate in the Harvest Sunday event. The volunteers distribute fliers in the neighborhoods with a list of food items needed and return a week later to pick up the food. We also have teams of youth and adults collect food and ask for donations at store fronts. The food collected is sorted, packed, and distributed to the St. Thomas Care Pantry and two other area pantries.
- How to volunteer: As Harvest Sunday approaches, you will be able to go to the St. Thomas website to sign up to volunteer. Or, you can contact Peggy Goralski at pgoralski@stapostle.org or 630.355.8980, x123.
Care Pantry Christmas Preparations
- How to volunteer: As the party date approaches, the St. Thomas bulletin and website will contain information about volunteer opportunities.
Ministry Volunteer Opportunities
The participation of middle school students in various ministries at St. Thomas is encouraged. The following list highlights the ministries which are open to middle school volunteers:
- Host Greeter
- Altar Server
- Media Ministry
- Music ministry (voices and instrumentalists)
- Liturgy of the Word Youth Assistant
- Catechist Aide for elementary RE
- Administrative Assistant for elementary RE
- Nursery helper during elementary RE
- Scripture Safari helper
- CREW Planning Team (formerly Teens with Character)
- Seasonal Liturgies help (Christmas Pageant, Living Stations)
- Turkey/Ham Drive helper
- Hesed House PADS in Aurora (can help with parent)
- Naperville PADS helper (can help with parent)
- Health Ministry (help with blood drives, blood pressure screenings, etc.)
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Donut Sunday helpers