If you're not yet 18 years old, a parent/legal guardian must read and sign this form.
Dear Parent or Legal Guardian,
Your teenager has requested an application packet so that he/she might pursue the possibility of serving on the REAP (Retreat Evangelization And Prayer) Team for the upcoming academic school year. This letter is so that you will understand the nature of this ministry and the commitment it entails.
What is the REAP Team?
The REAP (Retreat Evangelization And Prayer) Team is a Catholic youth retreat ministry of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Team members, who must be at least thirteen years old or have completed the 7th grade, are specially chosen and trained to convey the Gospel to all people, but especially to teenagers. Members of the REAP Team are carefully screened to see that they possess the following qualities: a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, a love for teenagers, a love for the Catholic Church, regular participation in Sunday worship, a personal prayer life, freedom from serious sin, regular reading of Scripture, and an openness to using the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
What Does the REAP Team Do?
Using humor, drama, faith-sharing, games, mingling and music, the Team's focus is to touch young people's hearts, open their minds, and stir their souls with the love of Jesus Christ. Our ministry events can be as short as one hour or as long as two days.
What is the Commitment?
The application process for the REAP Team includes: completing the application form (which includes two references), an interview with two senior members of the REAP Team, and two mandatory training sessions on youth retreat dynamics. Our training sessions will be held at The Cardinal Rigali Pastoral Center (20 Archbishop May Dr, St. Louis, MO 63119). Our 2010 Training Dates are:
Saturday, August 21 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 26 from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
After successful completion of the application process, team members become available to help to give as many retreats as their schedules allow during the academic school year. A suggested goal is two retreats per month.
What Else Should I Know?
While we ask those applying for the REAP Team to take their commitment to this ministry seriously as a priority in their lives, we also encourage team members to stay fully committed to family, academic, and extracurricular activities. We desire that parents and legal guardians be fully informed and supportive of their children as they pursue this ministry. In light of this, we require that a parent or legal guardian sign the application form of any student under the age of eighteen, giving permission for this young person to pursue this application process.
Thank you for taking the time to read this information letter and signing it if you are supportive of your child volunteering for The REAP Team. Additional information is available in the REAP Team Information Letter (for prospective team members). Should you have any questions or concerns about the content of this letter, the ministry of the REAP Team, or your young person's potential involvement in this ministry, please call or send me an e-mail.
Sincerely in Christ,
Paul Masek
Coordinator of The REAP Team
phone: 314.298.9597, ext. 1
paul@reapteam.org
Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian (if applicant is under 18 years old). "I have read the REAP Team Letter for Parents and Legal Guardians. I am aware of and supportive of this young person's desire to serve as a volunteer on the REAP Team during the upcoming school year."
Please sign here _________________________________________________
Please print your teenager's name here _______________________________
