Our volunteers make all the difference
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Mothers' Shrine. Volunteers make a difference with hands that serve and hearts that care. We couldn’t do it without you! Please consider how you can use your gifts to serve our community and Our Blessed Mother.
For more information about our volunteer opportunities please email us, call 573-374-MARY (6279), or send us a note through this form:
Opportunities for volunteers
Grounds Assistance
Use your “green thumb” and help maintain the gardens throughout the year. Depending on the season, you can help plant, mulch, water, dead-head, or remove /add plants in an area and on a day that interests you.
Guest Support
Get your exercise and share your love of our Shrine as you lead scheduled group tours for adults and/or children. During Masses and events, ensure that all guests have a great experience from the moment they enter the grounds, answering their questions, providing information about the Shrine and assisting with any needs they may have. Distribute information on the Shrine to groups in your home city and parish.
Money Counters
The Shrine is careful to have teams to count our monetary gifts received each week. If you are good at counting money and documenting the funds, we would love to have you.
Programs
Our program committee needs members. This group plans our pilgrimages and programs, identifying and engaging speakers, preparing marketing materials, greeting participants at the event and ordering supplies and pamphlets.
Office Angels
Often the first face they see, you will greet our many visitors and provide them with basic information about the Shrine, gardens, services and amenities. Help us with handling the many letters, phone calls, newsletters, bulletin stuffers and information requests we process.
Summer Masses
Our Masses in the summer have as many as 1500 people attending. We need, ushers, parking lot assistance, Eucharistic Ministers, Sacristans, Cantors, Lectors and people to hand out bulletins. Handing out bulletins is also a great way to involve your children.
Food Preparation
Teams prepare and serve meals for our Pilgrimages and other programs.
Special Events Volunteer
Join the excitement when you assist at any of our special events such as Special Masses, pilgrimages, concerts, Christmas Illuminations and many more we offer throughout the year.
Decorator
Help us decorate the Shrine for Pilgrimages and also put up the lights for the Festival of Lights in the winter.
Waiver of Liability
By volunteering at The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church (Mothers' Shrine), you are assuming all risk of injury associated with your volunteer participation on the premises of the Mothers' Shrine or activities conducted off-site. You are not considered an employee of the Mothers' Shrine and are not, therefore, covered by the Mothers' Shrine’s workers compensation insurance. By volunteering, you also release the Mothers' Shrine and its representatives, sponsors, and supervisors from any and all claims, causes of action, and liability arising from or relating to your activities as a volunteer. You agree to comply with all posted safety instructions and follow the directions provided by staff and assigned supervisors of the Mothers' Shrine. Firearms and weapons are not permitted on the Mothers' Shrine premises.
Photo/Video Release
By entering our premise, you agree that the Mothers' Shrine and its representatives may take photographs, videos, and other images of you, and you consent to the Mothers' Shrine’s use of the photographs, videos, and other images taken or produced. The Mothers' Shrine may use those items in fundraising, for marketing and promotional purposes, and in electronic media for an unlimited time period, and you will not be entitled to receive any compensation, payment, royalty or other remuneration from the Mothers' Shrine. If you have questions, concerns or need to discuss photo/video privacy, please contact 573-374-MARY (6279).