Covenant: To be a Peer Minister is to Live a life worthy of the call you have been given Ephesians 4:1 I believe that I have been called by God. I have been called to know Him, to love Him, to serve Him. I have been called to live a life of ongoing, deepening relationship with Him. I believe that He loves me in an extraordinary and personal way, and that He is calling me to share His love with others. I believe that God is calling me to be an active member of His Church. I believe that God is inviting me to live out this call through Peer Ministry. And I will answer this call. I commit to striving toward being worthy of the call that the Lord has given me. I commit to praying daily so that I may continue to grow in my love for Christ and His Church, and so that I may more fully and powerfully receive and accept His love for me. I commit to remembering that my Catholic Faith is not just something that I do. It is part of who I am, and who I am called to be. It is my identity. It is my self. I commit to remembering that Peer Ministry, and any ministry, is not just something that I do, not just an action. It is part of who I am, part of the way that God is calling me to live out my faith, part of the way in which I am called to grow in holiness, part of the way that God asks me to help others grow in holiness. I will seek to serve Christ by ministering to my peers. I will seek to let Christ serve me by letting my peers and others in the Church minister to me. I will seek to find Christ in everyone I meet, and to really encounter Him personally through the Sacraments and private prayer. Because I am a Peer Minister. Because I have been called.
What is Peer Ministry? Peer Ministry IS: -A Church Leadership program that allows high school students to use their talents and help their peers grow in faith, specifically through the Confirmation, IMPACT, and Revelations programs -An opportunity to develop skills like sharing your faith, leading discussions, using the Bible, and welcoming others -Training that will help you grow in your faith and live it out at church, in school, at home, and everywhere you go! -For any High School student who has already been Confirmed in their faith -Fun, exciting, entertaining, and a great way to make new friends! -Hard work that demands time, commitment, and sacrifice -Good for service hours at school Peer Ministry is NOT: -Required for any High School student -Necessary for participation in High School -Youth Ministry events (most Youth Ministry events are open to friends, neighbors, etc.) -For extroverts only -A clique or club -A chance to prove you are better than other people Peer Ministry Contract 2009-2010 This Contract has two purposes. First, it lets YOU know what will be expected of you as a Peer Minister. Second, it lets US know that you are serious about this commitment and intend to be involved throughout the year. Please read it thoroughly, the sign the Code of Conduct page, and return it to the Ministry Center. Thank you! Being a Peer Minister is an important job that requires FAITH and LEADERSHIP. We take it very seriously, so the following expectations are there to help you do the best job possible! This is what is expected of EVERY Peer Minister: Every Peer should attend Mass regularly (every Sunday). You must be involved in Religious Education, either through a Catholic High School, or through the classes offered at OLPH. As a Peer Minister, you will be involved in the Confirmation, IMPACT, and High School Youth Group programs. Since all activities involve working with youth, the Archdiocese requires you to watch a video called Worthy of the Call, and complete the related training session. Peer Ministers are expected to follow the Peer Minister Code of Conduct during all Church-related events (see following page.) Freshmen and other students new to Peer Ministry will be considered Peers in Training. They will not be given huge responsibilities, and will always be partnered with a more experienced Peer during classes, small groups, etc. However, since faith development is important, and their opinions are still valuable for planning sessions, all expectations still apply to them. All peer ministers will be required to undergo Leadership Formation before being allowed to serve in the 2009-2010 school year. You will attend a formation Retreat for ALL peer ministers in the Fall.
Peer Minister Code of Conduct 1. Peer Ministers are called to be Ambassadors for Christ to their friends and family. For this reason, they must avoid illegal and un-christian activities throughout their daily lives at church, at school, at home, on facebook, and with friends. This includes stealing, violence, reckless driving, drinking, smoking, and drug use. 2. Peer Ministers should always respect adults in authority, whether it is the OLPH Youth Ministers or someone appointed by them. The Youth Ministers (in connection with parents and law enforcement officials) remain the final authority at any church-related activity. 3. Peer Ministers will refrain from inappropriate physical contact with ANYONE attending a church function. They will also refrain from sexual harassment (verbal or physical), inappropriate jokes, inappropriate displays of affection, cursing, foul language, and using God s name in vain and any other comments not befitting a representative of the Church. 4. No Peer Minister will have a physical or dating relationship with anyone to whom they minister. This includes, but is not limited to: students in IMPACT classes, Confirmation activities, small group discussions, etc. Of course, Peer Ministers are free to date other Peers or classmates their own age. 5. Peer Ministers will be welcoming and inclusive of any new student. 6. Peer Ministers will stay focused and devoted to the task at hand. 7. Peer Ministers will not use Facebook, MySpace, or any public website to share negative opinions of OLPH, the Church, or any individuals connected to Peer Ministry. I have read the above contract and agree to all terms and conditions. I am interested in being a Peer Minister for the 2009-2010 school year. I know what is expected of me, and I am eager to serve the Church in this way. ******By filling out the following application, you are indicating that you have thoroughly read and agreed to the 3 C s: Covenant, Contract, and Code of conduct in this packet.******
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Application for Peer Ministry ******By filling out the following application, you are indicating that you have thoroughly read and agreed to the 3 C s: Covenant, Contract, and Code of conduct in this packet.****** Last Name First Name Middle Name Nickname Date of Birth Current Age Grade & School attending this Fall Street Address City State Zip Code ( ) ( ) Home Phone Cell Phone AIM Screen Name Email Address Are you on Facebook? Yes/no (OLPH Youth Ministry can quickly and easily notify you about upcoming events through facebook) We must be ministered to and be spiritually fed if we are going to be ministering to others. All Peers must continue their Religious Education throughout their High School career. If you are not attending a Catholic School, have you yet registered for Religious Ed at OLPH? If no, see attached Registration form to fill out and return to the Ministry Center. yes/no