Parish Catechetical Director

Description

SUMMARY

In coordination with the Pastor and Parochial Vicar, the Faith Formation Director is responsible for the direction of the parish’s total catechetical ministry. Envisions, plans, develops, and then organizes and evaluates all facets of the parish’s formation programming (adult, young adult, adolescent/youth, children, infants, and family as well as sacramental preparation for initiation –including the catechumenate– and proximate preparation for marriage). Coordinates, recruits, facilitates training for, and evaluates catechists and volunteers involved in catechetical programming. Researches and selects appropriate materials and media for parish use. Communicates with parishioners, parish staff, and diocesan representatives on relevant matters. Stays current with regard to developments or trends in the field of catechetics, education, and ministry.

The Diocese of Orlando four core values lay the foundation for the work performed by its employees.

1. Authenticity: Conviction that God has called us to reflect exteriorly our inner life of faith in our daily living.
2. Respect: Affirming each person’s God-given dignity and uniqueness.
3. Courage: Inspired by this gift of the Holy Spirit, we proclaim and live the Word of God fearlessly and devotedly.
4. Commitment: Individually and collectively, we are steadfast to the team and its purpose.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Faith Formation Director has direct responsibility for sacramental prep and oversight for non- sacramental ministry. He/She reports directly to the Pastor. He/She works with clergy and lay volunteers ensuring that the Catholic faith is passionately, authentically, and creatively transmitted at all levels of faith formation, causing individual transformation, ongoing renewal of families, and a constant deepening of spiritual and moral life. Helping each person to realize their baptismal call and to actively engage and change the world around us.

 Service Ministries

• Coordinates sacramental prep of children, teens and adults, including:
• Baptismal Prep for Parents and Godparents
• First Reconciliation and First Communion prep classes/retreats for children and teens
• Confirmation classes/retreats for Middle School and High School students
• Sacramental prep classes for Baptized Catholic Adults completing their Sacraments of Initiation
• OCIA (in English and Spanish), OCIA for Children (OCIA adapted for children), OCIA for Teens (OCIA adapted for teens)
• Ongoing Formation Classes/Programs for Children (before and between sacraments)
• Family Catechesis 
• Middle School Group activities (before and during Confirmation Prep)
• High School Youth Group
• Young Adult Group (18-30)
• Ongoing Adult Formation
• Catholics Coming Home/Returning Catholics
• Marriage Preparation
• Divorced/Separated Ministry
• Sacrament Liaison with St. Mary’s Parish School and their Sacramental Prep programs
• Serve as liaison between Pastor/parish staff and all parish-based formation ministries, including all parish- sponsored programs and activities; promotes the interests of those ministries and ensures lay ministers are competently and effectively advancing the mission to the faithful of the community.
• Ensure a positive staff presence and welcoming spirit to all newcomers of the community.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Parish Catechetical Leader has supervisory responsibility for the total parish faith formation team, which currently includes a faith formation coordinator/administrative assistant.

• Oversees and directs the work of the formation team; works with them on the development of a yearly schedule for all programs. 
• Responsible for administrative functions such as maintenance of all Sacramental records, program registrations, evaluations, and other pertinent data or information.
• Evaluates the parish formation programming and makes recommendations to the pastor.

In addition, coordinates parish ministry with the Family Life Coordinator in a collaborative way.

Both working to grow parish ministry (more ministries, more volunteers, affirmation events) and at

times reporting to each other.

Administrative/Miscellaneous

• Ensure Faith Formation ministries adhere to applicable Diocesan risk management, communications, and Safe Environment policies.
• In conjunction with the pastor, staff, formation team, ad-hoc advisory committees, and/or others, develop and implement a coherent and unified curriculum and catechetical plan for the parish.
• Set up catechetical registration date and prepare materials for the year.
• Tracking monies that come in from parents, students, and staff. Working with Parish General Office staff in the proper counting of monies by authorized persons. Ensuring weekly deposits are prepared and made, and Faith Formation financials are submitted to the parish Office Manager.
• Creates and maintains a variety of permanent records to include rosters, letters, financial records and registrations; gathers all required information for those preparing for Sacraments such as baptismal certificates.
• Coordinate the training of faith formation department leaders, ministry specific heads, catechists, aides, and other faith formation volunteers.
• Ensure that the faith is handed on correctly. And that any errors are handled sensitively and corrected. Ensure that faith formation resources are updated, a proper inventory kept, volunteers are made aware of our resources, and that our resources are effectively utilized.
• Facilitate and/or participate in staff and committee meetings as well as meetings and events convened by the diocese as related to catechetical ministry or job responsibilities.
• Ensure that when sacraments are received that they are properly recorded in the parish sacramental books and sacramental certificates are issued in a timely manner.
• Promotion of Parish Faith Formation Classes, Programs and Retreats.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

CATHOLIC FAITH

Practice of the Catholic faith is required. Church employees must conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with and supportive of the mission and purpose of the Church. Their public behavior must not violate the faith, morals or laws of the Church or the policies of the diocese. Nor their social media presence.

Master’s Degree in Theology, pastoral studies, religious education or a related field (or equivalent) preferred.

• At least five (5) years of ministry experience in a parish or diocesan position (related degrees and comparable experience will be considered) and a minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to travel as required.
• Must pass diocesan Safe Environment Requirements and background screening.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Leadership, Catechetics, Theology or Pastoral Ministry (or related field) required, or equivalent combination of relevant experience and certification.
• Three (3) or more years of experience in Parish or Catholic School ministry, including lay ministry or ministry leadership responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience working in an office environment with additional experience in customer service preferred.
• Completion of Lay Minister certification or degree program is an asset. Must be able to work well with various personalities within the Catholic Church and students of sincere inquiry who come from other faith backgrounds or from an absence of faith.

LANGUAGE/COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Fluent in English and Spanish. Able to interact with and collaborate with both communities. Must possess the ability to read and analyze routine correspondence and compose appropriate responses; ability to respond effectively to common inquiries from internal and external sources; ability to effectively present reports and information to constituents.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES

• Strong communication, organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of Catholic doctrine and beliefs as presented in the documents of the Second Vatican Council, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and other relevant ecclesial documents and publications.
• Maintains confidentiality in all areas of responsibility required.
• Ability to deal effectively with a diversity of individuals at all organizational levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Publisher. 
• Possess a valid Florida driver’s license and maintain an acceptable driving record. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work hours and days off will vary. Employee will be required to work weekends and occasional evenings.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (15 pounds). The ability to sit and stand for long periods of time. Must be able to communicate verbally and in written form.