Nazareth House, a diocesan apostolate, is seeking Catholic high school youth to volunteer as teachers for the 2024-2025 school year. A training and orientation workshop will be held Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. until noon at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Birmingham.

Nazareth House is an apostolate providing education, liturgy, and advocacy for and with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the diocese. For example, this may include individuals with autism spectrum disorder as well as those with genetic conditions such as Down syndrome. Nazareth House currently provides individualized religious education and sacramental preparation programming in Birmingham and Huntsville. While most children and young adults with disabilities are optimally served in their home parishes, some benefit from the Nazareth House model, which connects students with a high school volunteer catechist or teacher who meets with them one-on-one or in a small group setting.

For decades, Catholic high school students have served as volunteer catechists. Catechists earn volunteer hours during the school year and receive the opportunity to form a meaningful peer relationship and friendship with the children and adults they teach. Volunteering at Nazareth House has informed many individuals’ future career choices in medicine, law, social work, education, and business. Both of the current program coordinators are former volunteers as well. The experience can help participants become more sensitive to the needs of individuals with disabilities and their ​families. 

The program holds classes most Saturday mornings at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, 2 Xavier Circle. For more information, please contact Sarah Houser at sawisely@gmail.com.