Adult Education/Bible Studies Various group studies occur throughout the year. To lead a discussion or to join a group, contact the Parish Office for details on currently offered programs, or click here. Times vary depending on the program offered.
Children’s Liturgy An adult leads this special Liturgy of the Word during Sunday 10:30 am Mass, September – May. This ministry may be shared, decreasing the number of Sunday commitments.
Confirmation Catechists and speakers are needed to help prepare youth for the Sacrament Confirmation. Assist with the Confirmation retreat, lead a class or simply share your faith by joining us for a session to speak on a specific topic (Saints, Discipleship, Christian Service, Sacraments, Rosary, etc).
RCIA This ministry focuses on the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: the process through which non-Catholics who are interested in Catholicism learn about our faith. Meetings are each week from September to Easter.Opportunities to volunteer include:
Catechists (persons who facilitate group discussion; you do not need to be an expert; plenty of resources; call even if you are interested in addressing one specific topic, e.g. one of the sacraments, Mary, etc.
Sponsors (persons who help the participants get involved in the parish and meet other parish members)
Event coordinators (persons who help organize small receptions, retreats)
No experience required! It is easy and fun and you will learn, too!
RCIC This ministry focuses on the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children aged 3rd grade and up who have not been catechized and have not received the sacraments but who wish to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter Vigil. Catechists are needed to share their love of Christ and instruct children in the basics of in the Catholic faith. Meetings are each week from October to Easter.
Religious Education (K-5) and Youth Group (6-12) Catechists are needed for Religious Education and Youth Group. Religious Education classes are taught on Wednesday evenings 5:30 - 6:30 pm. Youth Group is taught on Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Each class has two catechists who normally alternate weeks, so the commitment is approximately twice a month. This is a very rewarding ministry! You will grow in faith as you share your faith with the children and youth of our parish. Training and support is available at both the Diocesan and parish level.
Vacation Bible School This is a week-long ‘camp-style’ religious education for children in kindergarten through rising 5th grade. Each summer we host 60+ children, ages Pre-K to 5th grade for this fun summer program. Two enthusiastic Co-Directors and many volunteers are needed to make this a success. This is a great opportunity for teenagers, parents and grandparents!
Liturgy Ministries
Altar Guild Both men and women searching for a ministry with a flexible schedule can care for and clean the Altar and Eucharistic linens; inventory, order, maintain and replace all candles; clean liturgical vessels. Most activities are performed weekly.
Altar Service Coordination: The lead person of this ministry is charged with promotingthe ministry of altar service; scheduling, educating and training altar servers; maintaining servers’ vestments; and participating as a server.
Servers:The lead person of this ministry is charged with promoting the ministry of altar service, educating, training and coordinating Altar Servers; maintaining servers’ vestments; and participating as a server.
Anyone who has received First Communion and is in third grade or above may inquire about becoming an altar server. After initial training, servers are assigned as apprentices with experienced Altar servers and will then be added to the routine Mass scheduled - including special Masses such as Weddings.
Art and Environment Parishioners help with the liturgical environment and seasonal decorations. Activities include caring for plants, watering the altar palms, caring for flower arrangements at the altar. Some activities are performed weekly, while others are seasonal.
Baptismal Garments Sewing baptismal garments in your home at your leisure is an important ministry. Approximately a dozen garments are made per year.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion After training, ministers are scheduled to assist in the distribution of the Eucharist at Mass and to the homebound. The frequency of service depends on the number of ministers available.
Hospitality At each Mass, two parishioners follow a simple guide to prepare the church for Mass.Then they greet parishioners, designate ushers and gift bearers, distribute bulletins and after Mass, restore the sanctuary.The frequency of service depends on the number of greeters available.
Lectors These ministers proclaim the Word of God at Mass. Initial training is provided. The frequency of service depends on the number of lectors available.
Music & Choir St. Augustine is blessed to have dedicated and talented musicians.Parishioners are invited to participate in the choir at Saturday evening Mass (5:30 pm) and Sunday morning Mass (10:30 am).
Rosary The Rosary is said after weekday morning Mass (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) from 8:45 a.m. to 9:05 am. Everyone is welcome!
Sacristan This ministry is responsible for the upkeep of the Sacristy, ensuring that all necessary arrangements are made prior to each mass. This is a weekly commitment and can be shared with others.
Scheduling This minister schedules Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, and Hospitality Ministers.These tasks are performed on a monthly basis.
Parish Life Ministries
Book Club The book club meets on a monthly basis to discuss Catholic literature. Participants come together to enjoy each others’ company while increasing their knowledge and love of our Lord and His Church. All parishioners are welcome.
Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts Scouting is a wonderful opportunity for boys to spend time in a healthy environment and to experience camping and outdoor skills. Scout leaders are also needed. Scouts and leaders have one meeting each week and trips as scheduled. Cub Scout Pack invites all interested 1st -3rd graders. Boy Scout Troop invites all interested 4th graders – high school.
Christmas Pageant Each year in the Christmas season, our parish conducts a play with our children as the stars. This ministry has opportunities for actors and actresses play directors, costume designers, etc. The time commitment is concentrated around the Christmas season.
Coffee after Mass Coffee and cookies are offered after the Sunday 10:30 am Mass. Volunteers prepare and serve these refreshments. This is a great ministry for one or more families to do together. The frequency of service depends on the number of volunteers available.
Women of St. Augustine Women of St. Augustine is a women’s organization that promotes and fosters fellowship, spirituality, leadership and service. Three or four activities are planned during September - May. There are no membership meetings. Your time commitment will vary.
East Egg Hunt Our parish organizes a big Easter egg hunt on our front lawn every Easter. Volunteers are needed to help organize the event, hide eggs and watch the faces of the children as they find the treasures! Your time commitment will be a few hours at Easter time.
Knights of Columbus The KOC is a Catholic fraternal organization for men 18 and older. Based on the principles of charity, brotherhood, faith and patriotism, the group provides family, church and community support. The KOC sponsors our parish Oktoberfest celebration, fish fries during Lent, pancake breakfasts, and other parish activities. Your time commitment will vary.
Library The parish library contains books, videos, DVDs and CDs for adults, teens and children. Volunteers help organize and catalog materials. The time commitment varies, but is infrequent.
Martha and Mary This ministry is dedicated to serving families through funeral receptions. Efforts involve organizing food for a reception, decorating serving tables, serving the food, and cleaning after the reception. Volunteers are assigned on a rotational basis and may be asked to serve 1 -3 funerals a year.
St. Monica's Mom’s Group Mothers of small children get together for social activities and fellowship. There is no set time commitment.
Newcomers Anyone interested in welcoming newcomers to the parish and being a resource to them is encouraged to volunteer. Your time commitment will vary depending on the number of new members of our parish.
Photographer/Historian/Bulletin Board Communications St. Augustine has the need to document our various activities. Taking pictures or writing a description of our various activities is an outlet for someone’s creativity! Time commitment varies depending on the number of volunteers and the number of events to be documented.
Softball - Men’s Ecumenical – Over 40 Each summer male parishioners over the age of 40 can participate in the St. Augustine softball team. Games are typically held each week. An approximate time commitment is 2-3 hours per week for 8 weeks. Contact Bill Gallagher 886-4097 or mountainirish@aol.com.
Plant Services Ministries
Building and Grounds This hands-on ministry oversees and maintains church property, including repairs. The time commitment varies depending on current projects.
Columbarium This ministry oversees the operations of the Columbarium, the site for interment of the ashes of parishioners and their families. Volunteer opportunities include the sale of niches, facilitation of funerals, maintenance and new construction. The time commitment is on an as-needed basis.
Social Action Ministries
Angel Tree This ministry coordinates anonymous gift-giving by parishioners to those in need in our community at Christmas time. Activities involve contacting local charities for needs, setting up a tree, supplying and delivering gifts according to wish lists. The time commitment is 3-5 hours in December.
Catholic Charities Catholic Charities agencies provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same. Our parish participates in the pregnancy baby-bottle fund. Time commitment ranges to a few hours a year to monthly involvement depending on your availability.
Community Kitchen This ministry involves serving lunches to Chattanooga’s homeless. St. Augustine’s commitment is to provide 2-4 volunteers from 9 am -12 pm. every 4th Saturday of the month. There is also an opportunity to organize a soup supper for the parish once a year, where proceeds go to the Chattanooga Community Kitchen.
Family Promise of Greater Chattanooga (Formerly Interfaith Hospitality Network) Help support the vision of creating a community where every family has a home, sustainable income, and the chance to build a better future. When St. Augustine hosts homeless guest families (on church site) overnight for one week each quarter, this ministry provides an overnight shelter, hospitality and meals for families in need with children and adolescents. Volunteer opportunities consist of shopping for groceries and supplies for the host week (two hours); setting up and taking down roll away beds (two hours); greeting families each evening (one hour); providing, cooking and serving dinner for up to 11-14 individuals(two hours); playing, reading, tutoring children in the evenings and interacting with parents(two hours); driving a 12 passenger van on weekends only (one-two hours) no special license required; spending the night at church for each night the families are at St. Augustine (eight hours); or transferring the trailer with beds to the next hosting congregation (two hours, requires truck with hitch).
Haiti Mission The mission of the American Haitian Foundation is to educate the youth of Haiti to form future leaders. There are many volunteer opportunities with this ministry: Hot as Haiti Yard Sale, Adopt a Student, Feed the Starving Children, and various other fundraising events throughout the year. The time commitment varies depending on your availability.
Health/Faith Community Nurse The role of the parish nurse is to protect, promote and optimize the health and abilities of the members of the parish; acting to prevent illness and injury and responding to suffering in the context of the community’s values, beliefs and practices. Time commitment varies depending on current activity.
Hospital/Homebound Visitation Minister to the sick by bringing the Eucharistic presence of Christ and His Church to parishioners unable to participate in the Church’s life due to hospitalization, illness, disability, or the aging process. You must a commissioned Eucharistic Minister. The time commitment is dependent upon the needs of parishioners.
Ladies of Charity Volunteer at the resale store at Ladies of Charity Chattanooga which serves families in need. Or, volunteer to clean or mend clothing that is donated for resale. Volunteer hours depend on your availability.
Meal Train Occasionally, a parishioner or his/her family needs meals provided on a temporary basis due to illness or other situation. Initiating the Meal Train software program would require 30 minutes for each family in need. Preparing a meal according to the meal train schedule involves the time to cook or purchase a meal and deliver it to the family. For funeral receptions, see the Martha and Mary ministry.
Respect Life The Respect Life initiative promotes the Catholic Church’s teaching on the respect, care and protection of human life from conception to natural death. It does this by providing clear explanations of the Church’s teaching on human sexuality and human life issues. Informing parishioners of upcoming pro-life events is one opportunity. Time commitment varies.
Signal Mountain Social Services A private non-profit social service agency dedicated to meeting the needs of families and individuals on Signal Mountain. Volunteers are needed for office work and assisting in the retail shop. Volunteer hours vary depending in your assignment.
UTC Catholic Student Center (Newman Center) Provide dinner for University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Catholic students at the Newman Center on campus one Wednesday per month. You’re in charge! Determine the number of meals you would like to prove – one or more!
Vocations Promotion Ministries
Serra Club of Chattanooga The club shares the mission of the USA Council of Serra International which is a group of Catholic Christian men and women who foster and affirm vocations to the ministerial priesthood and vowed religious life in the United States, and through this ministry further our members' common Catholic faith and spirituality.Regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Crystal Room at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo beginning with Mass at 11:40 am followed by lunch and a speaker presentation.
Vocations/Religious Life If you feel called by God to serve as a priest or religious, nurture and strengthen this call. Respond to this invitation by God. Talk to the Pastor about this calling.
Appointed Ministries
Parish Pastoral Council The purpose of the Council is to advise the pastor on the growth and betterment of the parish and to assist him in formulating programs and policies. Council members are appointed by the Pastor and serve a 3 year term.
Finance Council This Council is a consultative body established by the pastor to advise in matters pertaining to the financial affairs of the parish. Council members are appointed by the Pastor