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"Forming Prayer
Groups for children and youth has been for me the greatest joy! Prayer
groups are the heartbeat of the Church. At prayer we come to experience
a strong spiritual bond which connects us with each other in the love of
God – a love so immense that it makes us one."
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Volunteer Ministry Position Description
Rosary Apostolate in the Parish - Rosary Visitor -
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Overview
This is an Apostolate of prayer. The Volunteer is called a "Rosary
Visitor." They will bear witness to their faith by forming Parish Prayer
groups for children and youth to teach them to love Jesus with the Heart
of Mary by praying the Rosary and the Act of Consecration. They will
follow the themes and meditations as outlined by the Rosary Apostolate.
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Mandatory
Activities and Responsibilities
The Rosary Visitor will plan prayer groups to meet in the Parish once a month
for a total of nine meetings for the year, from October to June. The
Rosary Visitor has the option of planning weekly meetings. Duration
of these meeting can be anywhere from 45 minutes to one hour and a half.
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Expectation of
Rosary Visitors:
- A serious commitment to meet monthly with the prayer group for the period of one academic year,
which can be renewed annually. This includes punctuality.
- A dress code should be observed on Church premises.
- The "Prayer Group Leader" will be the person who maintains contact between the Pastor and the other
leaders. They set-up schedules with the Pastor for these monthly meetings. They are also required to
give a report the Rosary Apostolate Head Office.
- Rosary Visitors will direct all concerns including issues that may arise in the Prayer Group or among
team leaders to the Spiritual Director / Apostolic Director and if necessary to the Parish Pastor.
- They will have to under-go screening through the Rosary Apostolate and their Parish.
- Misconduct will result in termination of volunteer services to our program.
- A rosary visitor is expected to behave appropriately with the children on Church grounds, therefore one
should not initiate any physical contact with children or youth, nor plan to meet children alone outside scheduled
prayer group meetings
- To adhere strictly to the monthly Themes as outlined.
- A Rosary Visitor should not take Discipline into their own hands even when children misbehave. It is
the responsibility of parents to administer discipline.
- All members are expected to maintain good relations with Pastor, children/youth and team members at all times.
- Gifts are not to be given to children or youth except those approved by the Pastor and the Rosary Apostolate.
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If a Rosary Visitor should break any of these rules, an "Incident Report" will be filled out by the
Apostolic Director or Pastor and kept on file, a copy of it is given to the Pastor and the R. A. Head Office, a
"Termination Notice" will be given to the volunteer.
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Skills, Experiences and Qualifications
The volunteer should be a practicing Catholic. They must also have a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and also
pray the rosary on a regular basis. Also she or he must respect and love children and youth.
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Personal Traits and Qualities
The people we seek for this position are: Loving, Giving, Prayerful, Humble, Peaceful, Understanding,
Forgiving, Friendly, Wise Trusting, Obedient, Patient, Good and Kind.
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Orientation and Training
The Regional Directors will read the "Parish Training Manual" with new volunteers and show them a "DVD presentation".
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Participant Group
Volunteers will serve children and or youth within the local Parish of their
Region.
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Supervision and Evaluation
Supervision: is done primarily by the other adult Rosary Visitors who is present at all times during these prayer
group meetings. They are observing each other.
Self-Evaluation: will be filled out and submitted to the R. A. Head Office or presented at the November Workshop.
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Length of the Ministry
The volunteer may remain in this position as long as he/she is both physically and mentally willing to carry out
the duties required. We expect volunteers to at least commit themselves for one year from October to June.
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Benefits and Working Conditions
Volunteers will gain self-confidence in speaking in front of a group. They will meet new people. Their
devotion to the Mother of God and her Rosary will increase. One often walks away from a prayer group meeting
feeling they have really been a missionary for Our Lady. It is a wonderful and rewarding ministry.
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Screening Measures
The risk level is high although the volunteers are never alone with the children/youth because other adult Rosary
volunteers are always present during these meetings. Since a level of trust will develop over time and because
we are dealing with vulnerable children, screening will follow the 10 steps used in High risk ministry positions
including a Criminal Record Check. Screening will be conducted by Regional Directors, who will be supported and
assisted Rosary Apostolate Screening Committee. You will be required to be screened by your Parish Screening
Committee as well.
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If you feel called to form rosary
prayer group in your Parish:
Contact....
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