CGS is offered on Sunday mornings in between Mass times to assist our 3-6 yr. old children in their relationship with God and understanding of the Mass and the Bible. We need catechists and assistants to help make this program possible.
Contact Brittney Cross bcross@nativityindy.org
During Sunday morning Masses, children in kindergarten through 2nd grade are dismissed to hear and discuss the readings for the week. A minimum of 15 are needed for the program.
Contact Mary Renshaw: 119282@student.roncalli.org
This committee is responsible for enhancing our worship environment through the use of material items such as plants, flowers, banners, etc. In addition, the committee is responsible for changing altar cloths and paraments to appropriate liturgical colors. The Sacristan is 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.
Contact: Beth Bobko, (317) 345-8801
Eucharistic Ministers assist with the distribution of Communion during weekend Masses, Communion Services during Lent and Communion to the Homebound. Twenty-four Eucharistic Ministers are needed for weekend masses alone. There are normally 80+ Eucharistic Ministers, including 10 who take Communion to the Homebound. Volunteers must be confirmed Catholics. The training period is 45 minutes and each minister is asked to serve every 4-5 weeks. A blessing or commissioning by the pastor prior to participating in their first Mass is planned.
Contact: Marilyn Ellis, marel123@yahoo.com, (317) 258-1376
The Evangelization Committee is focused on bringing people closer to their Saviour, Jesus Christ and to restore vibrancy to our parish. We are currently looking for parishioners who are available and interested in being on this committee.
Contact: Brittney Cross bcross@nativityindy.org
The leader of this ministry schedules ushers for weekend, Holy Days of Obligation and special Masses. Several dedicated, punctual volunteers provide the following services at each Mass: greet parishioners, gather collection, distribute bulletins and straighten up church following Mass. One hour per week (on a rotating three month schedule). 27-36 volunteers are needed to commit 12-15 hours per person per year.
Contact: Mike O'Maley, (317) 927-5575
The Adult Choir sings at the 11:00 Sunday Mass twice a month and rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in church. The High School Youth Choir (8th grade through H.S.) sings once a month at the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass and rehearses the same day at 9:45 a.m. Parishioners in the Funeral Choir support the family and friends of the deceased by participating in funeral masses and leading congregational singing. No rehearsals. Members attend funerals as they are able. All choirs are open to new members on a continuing basis and do not require auditions. Cantors and instrumentalists rehearse with the choirs and/or with the Music Director as needed. Musicians with cantoring skills or proficiency on a particular instrument are encouraged to contact the Music Director to discern how they might become involved in Liturgical Music. Children from 2nd through 8th grade can sing in the Children's Christmas Choir, which rehearses 4 times during the weeks leading up to Christmas, and sings at the 4:30 pm Christmas Eve mass. Look for information in November.
Contact: Christine Seitz, cseitz@nativityindy.org, (317) 357-1200
Proclaimers read the Word of God during the Mass. This ministry's purpose is to engage the people in the Living Word being spoken and heard. Volunteers need to be confirmed Catholics, have a strong voice and and aptitude for reading aloud with conviction. One hour of initial training is provided, as well as workbooks. Schedule are prepared quarterly.
Contact: Kristi LeBeau, (317) 339-6688
Sunday mornings offer an opportunity for our public school students in grades 1-8 to learn more about God, the Catholic Church, scripture and more. We need adults to provide instruction and facilitate discussion with our students. We meet from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Sunday mornings throughout the school year.
Contact: Brittney Cross bcross@nativityindy.org
This process by which adults join us in our Catholic faith is offered in a series of Tuesday night sessions from 7-8pm September to April.
Contact: Brittney Cross bcross@nativityindy.org
Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a 3 day summer educational program which teaches children from Kindergarten to 5th grade about the Bible. 7th/8th grade students and older may volunteer to assist. Approximately 15-20 volunteers are needed each year.
Contact: Brittney Cross bcross@nativityindy.org
The purpose of this committee is to initiate and support prayer and other activities that encourage all Christian vocations and to especially affirm and support those individuals at Nativity who are considering and living religious vocations. We meet for 1 hour, 4 times a year, to determine and implement ways to keep the concept of "vocations" in front of Nativity parishioners and to encourage participation in opportunities to pray for vocations and vocation related activities, which include an annual pilgrimage for 8th graders to St Mary-of-the-Woods, presentation of Altar Server of the Year Award, vocation related articles in the bulletin, recruiting speakers for National Vocation Awareness Week, sending greeting cards to religious who are or have been associated with Nativity, providing a vocation prayer basket, and supporting Archdiocesan Office of Vocations and Serra Club activities, e.g. Called by Name, Storm the Castle, Indy's Got Sisters, Bishop Brute Days summer camp, pilgrimages to Bishop Brute College Seminary and Our Lady of Grace Monastery, vocation essay contest, etc. Please send, O Lord, more holy apostles to your Church.
Coffee and donuts are provided monthly (Sept-May) in Holy Family Conference Room between Sunday Masses as an opportunity for fellowship among the members of and visitors to Nativity. Four volunteers are needed monthly.
Contact: Kate Bedwell kkbedwell77@gmail.com
This event is usually held on Holy Saturday in Weilhammer Hall. Volunteers are needed to work different aspects of the morning, such as craft tables, prize distribution, decorating, and hiding the eggs. Volunteers are also needed in the weeks ahead of the hunt to prepare eggs.
Contact Erica Lacey enishinaka@gmail.com
Funeral Meals
Mercy meals are provided to give comfort and support to families in their time of need. Volunteers for this ministry consist of 6 captains, 15-20 volunteers for each captain and 2 Co-Chair leaders. 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.
Contact: Vicki Dwenger vickidwenger@gmail.com
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 100 men from the parish who pay dues ($52/year) and conduct fund raisers to support their mission. The Council meets monthly in the Fr. Gootee Conference Rooms at Nativity and would like to increase membership.
Contact: Mark Gill mark.gill@hallmarkres.com
The Over 50 Group meets on a monthly basis for lunch, social time and fellowship. The group has been in existence for over 35 years and heartily welcomes new members at any time.
Contact: Len and Rosemary Murray, (317) 757-9653 or Marsha Brinson, (317) 445-0177
Nativity's parish festival, Augustravaganza, is an annual celebration. Several hundred volunteers are needed to cover all aspects of our end-of-the-summer August festival.
Contact: Adam & Jenny Smith, (317) 969-8225
We meet the first and third Wednesdays of the month at the Parish Center to make prayer shawls (crochet, knit, etc). The shawls are Blessed and FREE to take to relatives, friends, anyone who is sick, having a difficult time or needs God's extra touch and are available at the Parish Center. Anyone wishing to help make the shawls is welcome to join us.
Contact Monica Santangelo (317) 862-4137
Monthly activities are planned by this group. Sometimes it's a Noon luncheon here in the Parish Center with a speaker or games. Sometimes it's lunch out or an evening event. All those in the parish who are 50 years old and older are encouraged to participate. Come join the fun for these informal gatherings.
Contact: Louise Stevenson, daviddsls2001@aol.com, (317) 352-1872
This group meets monthly on the 2nd Monday evening in the Parish Center from 6:30-9:00 pm to work on charity quilting projects. No experience is necessary to join and newcomers are always welcome.
Contact: Maureen Sciame, maureen.sciame@comcast.net, (317) 642-8414
The Lord's Pantry/Anna's House is a ministry (begun by Lucious Newsom) in Stringtown on the Westside of Indianapolis. Non-perishable foods and money are collected eight months of the year on the first Saturday and Sunday following Masses. At least three volunteers are needed (one for each Mass). Volunteers spend at least 15-25 minutes after each Mass. A coordinator makes a yearly schedule for the volunteers.
Contact: Kevin Marler, (317) 468-0942
Twice a year, blood donations are solicited from Nativity Parish members for use by the Central Indiana Regional Blood Center to support the needs of our community. The blood drive requires a volunteer coordinator who sends out emails to parishioners (March and September) and volunteers who can provide cookies and juice.
Contact: Scott & Mary Curren, (317) 965-7651
A group of parishioners travels to an Appalachian parish in Kentucky several times a year with donations, both material and monetary, that are collected locally. These parishioners also pitch in and help with small construction projects when needed. Volunteers are encouraged to participate.
Contact Rosemary and Len Murray, (317) 757-9653
Ecuador Mission Trip is an annual third world experience supported by Nativity as an outreach ministry of the parish. This ministry’s theme is: "Worship God--Serve Others--Change the World". Parishioners are invited to share 2 weeks of their time each July in a powerful outreach ministry that builds new relationships and provides work projects that help to change the living conditions of our brothers and sisters in Ecuador. No special skills needed. Just a willingness to share your life, talents, and faith.
Contact: Matt Braun, matt@funtimecampers.com
The Giving Tree is an opportunity for the Parish to come together to help families at Christmas time. Trees are placed at the doors of church during Advent. Parishioners are asked to select an ornament or two, purchase the requested item(s) and return them, unwrapped. Approximately 10 volunteers are needed for this project. Each volunteer works between 4 to 5 hours.
Contact: Sandy Shepard, (317) 374-7564
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 1-7 p.m. Donations of non-perishable foods and money are collected four months of the year on the first Saturday and Sunday following Masses for the purpose of restocking the shelves of the pantry.
Contact: Vicki Dwenger, (317) 372-2595
The Infiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Indiana. ICC provides a readily accessible source to which public inquiry can be made about the position of the Church on matters affecting the common good. ICC notifies interested Catholics on current state and federal legislative activity (e.g. bills and rullings) and the Church's positions on issues usually concerning life and social justice. ICC publishes ALERTS requesting that Catholics notify their respective government representatives to support ICC's position. At Nativity, a volunteer(s) monitors ICC notices and forwards them to interested parishioners, who only need to get on the list for notification.
Contact: Ron Kramer, (317) 527-9531
All life is a gift from God. Life must be upheld, treasured and respected. Pro-Life Ministry supports a respect for life at all its stages through education, legislation and donations to help pro-life ministries. Monetary donations are accepted during the Right to Life of Indianapolis Rose Sale and a bassinette for material donations to Birthline is located in the front entrance of church.
Contact: Kathy Gries, (317) 783-2563
This ministry provides assistance to people in crisis situations. Visits to homes are done to assess the needs and determine how they are to be addressed. Regular meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month. A core group of 5-6 people is needed to keep things running. Another 10 or so volunteers are needed to help at the St. Vincent De Paul pantry or warehouse. Time commitment is strictly up to the volunteer; however, 5-6 hours per month is the normal time spent. Money collected at weekend Masses is used to purchase food for the pantry or specific items needed.
Contact: Tom Price, (317) 862-3069
This group assists the Stewardship Commission in many of the work projects/repairs that take place in the parish. An annual walkthrough of the facilities is made and a list of repairs and recommendations for replacement is compiled. 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. Recommendations from this committee aid the Finance Council in planning the capital expenditures in the budget process.
Contact: Greg Brassie, greglisafam@msn.com, (317) 862-1546 or
Gordon Welt, gwelt@nativityindy.org, (614) 496-0386
This group is responsible for Nativity's Annual Call To Stewardship and the United Catholic Appeal campaigns. During the budget process they make recommendations to the Finance Council regarding anticipated income from these campaigns. Promoting stewardship is a year-round goal of this committee.
Contact: Jodi Silcox, (317) 557-7593
Parish Work Days are a bi-yearly event, compromised of Parishioners of all ages with the objective of Stewardship and Fellowship. The group of volunteers meets at Father’s discretion, usually on a Saturday prior to Easter and once in late summer to perform tasks to improve the Nativity Campus. These tasks can include cleaning windows, repairing pews, landscape improvements, facility maintenance, and jobs related to maintaining a welcoming place of worship and fellowship. Parish Work Days start at 8am and are concluded by noon.
Contact: Gordon Welt gwelt@nativityindy.org (317) 357-1200
We educate children (pre-school through Grade 8) in the faith tradition of the Catholic Church while providing quality academics and extracurricular activities.
A great number of volunteers are needed to support the mission of our school.
Contact: Terri Bianchini, tbianchini@nativityindy.org, (317) 357-1459
Members of this group help compile the school's alumni data, research and collect missing information. They also plan alumni events.
Contact: Michele Paynter, chrisandmichelep@gmail.com
This group prepares and implements the Strategic Plan and encourages financial support from donors.
Contact: Amanda Rail, ajrail@comcast.net
Deals with marketing of the school with a focus on increasing school enrollment and retention of current school families.
Contact: Sarah Mockaitis, nurshasto@yahoo.com
Partnership of faculty and parents; supports school events, promotes parent involvement, sponsors fundraising efforts.
Contact: Shannon Campbell, shannonmcampbell1@yahoo.com
Oversees regular building maintenance projects and future space utilization opportunities.
Contact: Nathan Baurley, nbaurley@C21scheetz.com
Take care of the preparation of the annual school budget, monthly review of financial statements and maintain a five-year financial plan.
Contact: Staci Hicks, smhicks04@hotmail.com
Works on expansion of community service programs and publication of school activities.
Contact: Elizabeth Toth, toth23@comcast.net
Maintain a five-year comprehensive technology plan, oversee technology equipment and maintenance.
Contact: Chris Bobko, nedbobko1@att.net
Girls and Boys in the sixth grade are invited to begin server training. Monthly schedules are provided to sixth, seventh and eigth graders through school or Religious Education classes. Medals are awarded to the eighth graders who have given extraordinary service during their eighth grade year. A student's commitment to be a server, especially during the summer months, is of utmost importance.
Contact: Lisa Render, lrender@nativityindy.org, (317) 513-5390
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.
Contact: Steve Sitzman, (317) 374-7266
The Nativity Cub Scouts is for children from Kindergarten through 5th grade. Each grade has a group called a Den that meets 1-2 times per month. All of the dens meet monthly as a Pack to hand out awards in the Nativity Parish Center. The highlights of every year is a week-long day camp at Camp Belzer, and the Pinewood Derby where the boys learn to make a race car from block of wood. Outdoor Activities, Service to Others, and Teamwork are key points of the Cub Scout program. Volunteers are needed to help with each Den, as well as to serve as Pack Leaders.
Contact: Matt Dexter, NativityPack462@gmail.com, (317) 474-9947
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. Approximately 150 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 9 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.
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 typicaly conduct 1 troop meeting and 1 outing per month. One township meeting is held during the school year. Meetings are held at Nativity.
Contact: Becky Kabat, rmstakes@hotmail.com, (937) 260-9514
The purpose of this ministry is to provide an atmosphere for the young people to feel part of the Catholic Church and community. The middle school and high school students will be encouraged to explore the different avenues of their Catholic faith and connect it to their daily lives.
Contact: Maureen Hutt, mhutt@nativityindy.org, (317) 357-1200.