Christian Formation Ministries

Christian Formation ministries encompass a variety of opportunities to enrich, educate and enhance the lives of our parishioners at various stages on the faith journey.

Often, the prerequisite for joining this ministry is simple, just having the interest!  The Holy Spirit guides, leads and provides inspiration for you to be the conduit for sharing. In addition, training and mentoring provide sustenance for leadership.

If you are interested in learning more about these ministries, click on the highlighted text and/or contact the individual listed for more information. At Saint John Vianney, our ministries always have "room for one more" and you are welcome to come and see...

Baptism Gowns
Dorothy Augustin or Christian Formation Office, 262-796-3944, maryk@stjohnv.org
Make baptism apron used during the celebration and given to parents at baptism of a child. Sew baptism aprons as needed.

Baptism Preparation
Mary Janowak, 262-796-3944, maryk@stjohnv.org
Prepare parents for baptism of a child. Leader couples present a video series and lead further discussion. These series are offered 11 times per year.

Catechists for K4-5th Grade
Dawn Van Dorf, 262-796-3944, dawnv@stjohnv.org
Teach the Catholic faith to children K4-Grade 5. Teach classes Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings from September to May.

Catechists—Middle School
Claire Hoffmeyer, 262-796-3944, claireh@stjohnv.org
Teach the Catholic faith to youth in grades 6-7-8. Teach classes Sunday evenings or Wednesday evenings from September to May.

Catechists—High School
John Thompson, 262-796-3944, johnt@stjohnv.org
Teach the Catholic faith to youth in grades 9-10. Teach classes Sunday evenings from September to May.

Child Ministry Sacramental Preparation
Dawn Van Dorf, 262-796-3944, dawnv@stjohnv.org
Provide second grade children and families additional opportunities to grow in the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation. Adults and teens are needed to assist with sacramental preparations at Family Retreat Night, Joy Day, the Church tour, or serve at First Reconciliation and First Communion celebrations.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word Presiders
Dawn Van Dorf, 262-796-3944, dawnv@stjohnv.org
Celebrate the Liturgy of the Word with children K4-4th grade. Proclaim the Word of God and help the children understand the Gospel once a month at the Saturday 4:30 PM Mass or the Sunday 11:00 AM Mass.

Christian Formation Committee
Maria Pascente, 262-786-6225, okdoit99@yahoo.com
Working as an advisory committee, members partner with the Christian Formation staff of the parish to support formation classes and activities and parish programming for children, youth and adults, which include educational, service and social opportunities. We seek to create a place where parishioners want to be and come together in prayer and community. Our work answers His call to pass on the light of Christ to future generations.

Confirmation - Adult
Mary Janowak, 262-796-3944, maryk@stjohnv.org
Prepare adults, age 19 and up, for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Rotates among quad parishes. Meets twice per month, October to Pentecost to gain an adult understanding of faith.

Confirmation - Youth
John Thompson, 262-796-3944, johnt@stjohnv.org
Prepare high school juniors for the Sacrament of Confirmation Classes meet eleven times from September through May on Sunday evenings.

Faith-a-Thon
John Thompson, 262-796-3944, johnt@stjohnv.org
A faith facts contest for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders sponsored by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Volunteers prepare team members at practices in March, April and May each year for the Faith-a-Thon, which takes place on a Saturday in May.

Immersion/Outreach (Summer S.W.E.A.T.) High School
John Thompson, 262-796-3944, johnt@stjohnv.org
A week-long experience of providing service to communities undergoing hardships in the U.S. and abroad. This involves repairing homes and simple construction to allow people to remain or return to their homes.

Immersion/Outreach (Li’l S.W.E.A.T.) Middle School
Claire Hoffmeyer, 262-796-3944, claireh@stjohnv.org
Li’l S.W.E.A.T. offers an immersion/service experience for middle school students entering 7th and 8th grades. It combines service work with community building and social activities as well as faith-filled leadership opportunities. Variety of service in and around Milwaukee/Waukesha.

Library Volunteers - Parish
Mary Janowak, 262-796-3944, maryk@stjohnv.org
Staff the Parish Library on Sunday mornings during the school year. Shelving of books.

Men’s Ministry
Craig Colopy, 262-782-4056, bccolopy@hotmail.com
An interested group of men who get together to discuss readings for the upcoming Sunday liturgies. Interested individuals meet once a week in small groups for a Gospel reading discussion. Then, as a large group, join together to share their thoughts. Periodically, the group will hold social functions, such as dinners that include spouses.

Metro Bible Study
Miles Vilski, 262-251-8897, kmvilski@milwpc.com;
Rose Shanks, 262-789-9503, todd-roseshanks@att.net
Further education in scripture via a Catholic Bible study group. Meets at Holy Apostles on Wednesday evenings or SJV on Thursday mornings or St. Dominic’s Thursday evenings during the school year for Bible Study.

Ministry to Engaged CouplesDeacon
John Ebel, 414-758-2212, johne@stjohnv.org
Help engaged couples prepare for the sacrament of marriage. Married couples assist engaged couples in taking and discussing the pre-marriage inventory. Training is provided through the archdiocese.

Parish Mission Team
Mary Janowak, 262-796-3944, maryk@stjohnv.org
Plan and facilitate 4-day Parish Mission during Lent of 2011. Work to plan all aspects of Mission with Dr. Dan Scholz.

Rite of Christian Formation for Adults & Children (RCIA)
Mary Janowak, 262-796-3944, maryk@stjohnv.org
Prepare individuals to become Catholics and initiate them into the Church.
A process including Sunday morning sessions called “Breaking Open the Word” (mid-October through Easter) and Monday evening catechetical sessions held twice per month. Occasional summer series for those Baptized in another Christian Tradition. Parish sponsors accompany candidates. Schedule will vary for children based on participants’ availability.

Small Group Faith Sharing
Sr. Nelda Hernandez, 262-796-3944, neldah@stjohnv.org
Help people share faith in small groups and form a community. Meet as frequently as each small group decides. Focus each meeting on a study book, Scripture or topic. Group leaders are needed to facilitate the new groups.

Teen Night Team (T.N.T.)—Youth Group
John Thompson/Claire Hoffmeyer, 262-796-3944, johnt@stjohnv.org  or claireh@stjohnv.org
To provide opportunities for High School teens to gather for social, prayer and reflection activities. Format varies; activities include Bible study, discussion about putting faith into action, experiences for prayer and faith formation.

Theology On Tap
Mary Janowak, 262-796-3944, maryk@stjohnv.org
An archdiocesan series for young adults held for 4 weeks during the month of July and occasional other programs. Young adult committee members are needed to plan, choose topics and be small group leaders.

Vacation Bible School
Dawn Van Dorf, 262-796-3944, dawnv@stjohnv.org
Plan and coordinate a week-long summer event for children ages K4 through 5th grade to learn more about God in a fun, casual and interactive way. Music, games, stories, crafts and snacks are incorporated into a morning of learning where both adult and youth volunteers are needed. A VBS coordinator is needed to work with the director to recruit and train adult and youth volunteers, organize games and activities, facilitate outreach project, create an atmosphere of fun and learning, order supplies and work within a budget.

Vocations
Sr. Mary Beth Glueckstein, 262-797-2513; marybeth.glueckstein@wfhc.org
The Vocation Committee mentors, empowers, advises, supports and helps to augment vocations through providing speakers and helping to plan approaches to promoting vocations.