Position Title: Director of Faith Formation and Education
Position Type: Part-time, Non-Exempt, Benefits Ineligible
Compensation: Hourly – rate commensurate with experience
A Vision of this Ministry
The Director of Faith Formation collaborates closely with the Pastor and with other members of the Parish, both paid staff and volunteers, in the overall pastoral ministry of the parish. The Director of Faith Formation is a catechetical leader who in sharing his/her faith with the parish (adults, young adults, and children) is responsible for the oversight, creation organization, and administration of all areas of the parish’s faith formation and education programs.
Essential Functions / Major Responsibilities
Ministry of Administration
1.) Collaborates with the Pastor, under his supervision, and with other members of the parish staff and volunteers, integrating his or her own areas of responsibility with the overall parish endeavor.
2.) Is the primary resource for the Parish Education and Formation commission and its ministries.
3.) Directs the parish Faith Formation Program, providing leadership in the areas related to catechetics, sacramental preparation, sacraments of initiation for adults and young adults, and related formation experiences.
4.) Provides oversight regarding the budget for the Education and Formation Commission in collaboration with the ministries and committees of the commission, under the supervision of the Pastor, the Parish Pastoral Council, and the Parish Finance Council.
5.) Directs and oversees the work of the religious education/faith formation office and secretarial volunteers.
6.) Is responsible for coordinating the Faith Formation program’s compliance with the Virtus program.
7.) Collaborates with other staff members and parish volunteers, in coordinating parish events in which there is a need for catechetical instruction or a catechetical component, e.g. Generations of Faith gatherings, sacramental celebrations (first Reconciliation, first Eucharist, etc.), children’s liturgy of the word at Sunday mass, etc.
8.) Takes responsibility for maintaining a clean, neat, and orderly environment. Uses equipment, supplies and other materials with a focused effort to stewardship and reducing waste.
Ministry of Formation and Education
1.) Articulates and implements a Catholic faith formation and education curriculum that is consistent and reflective of the needs of the parish community. Collaborates with the pastor, staff, and key catechetical personnel in the continued development of the Catholic identity of the religious education/faith formation vision and mission statements.
2.) Ensures that religious / formation curriculum is rooted in the Gospel, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the General Directory for Catechesis, and the guidelines of the U.S.C.C.B. and the Diocese of Gary.
3.) Initiates and fosters a climate of community through leadership in the faith formation of catechists, families, parents, children, and other adults in the parish.
4.) Coordinates the preparation of all parishioners approaching the sacraments of initiation.
5.) Develops goals, objectives and implements ongoing catechetical programs for people of all ages and needs within the parish community, ensuring suitable materials for all programs.
6.) Follows Diocese of Gary policies in recruiting, screening, training and certifying of catechists including but not limited to: Criminal Background checks, Sexual Misconduct Towards Minors education, Creating Safe Environments for Youth and Virtus.
7.) Serves as a theological resource for parish programs.
8.) Pursues opportunities to grow spiritually and professionally through prayer, reflection, and continuing education.
Ministry of Pastoral Service
The Director of Faith Formation and Education:
1.) Is visibly present at principal parish events, keeping attuned to the living faith and real concerns of parishioners.
2.) Recruits needed catechists, while attempting to involve newcomers and a broad spectrum of parishioners.
3.) Works to foster unity among all parishioners especially between all catechists and families involved in the faith formation program.
4.) Promotes good public relations both within and beyond the parish, and is involved in ecumenical, cluster, Deanery, and Diocesan networks of professional peers.
5.) Provides pastoral care to people in need.
Qualities
The Director of Faith Formation and Education possesses the qualities common to all pastoral ministers in the Catholic Church. The effective functioning of this ministry requires that the person be a practicing catholic, a person of prayer, who is sensitive to the cultural experience of parishioners, and understands their spirituality and worship life. These qualities are but not limited to:
1.) Supporting and upholding the mission of the Catholic Church as expressed by the Bishop of the Diocese of Gary and the Pastor of Holy Martyrs Parish. Serving as a role model for others in a positive manner in all professional interactions within the parish, school, and diocese and the larger community. Demonstrates a loyalty and pride in the parish and its employees and ministries.
2.) Respecting and safeguarding the confidentiality of information regarding parishioners, co-workers, and the church, and holds others accountable to the same standard.
3.) Projects the professional and caring demeanor that befits a leader within the church in interactions with all persons.
4.) Demonstrates an attitude of teamwork when interacting with others within or outside the church. As such, consistently displays respect for self and for others in manner (body language, dress), word (spoken language) and action (behavior).
5.) Welcomes suggestions and new ideas as an opportunity to learn grow and improve their ministry.
Competencies and Skills
In addition to the competencies and skills required of all pastoral ministers in the Catholic Church, there are several which the Director of Faith Formation and Education needs in particular:
1.) Is knowledgeable of and comfortable living and forming others in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, her moral teachings, and her life as describes in the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” and the “Code of Canon Law”.
2.) Exhibits resourcefulness and initiative in anticipating and meeting the needs of other in a proactive manner. Encourages and empowers volunteers to perform in the same manner.
3.) Takes ownership of job responsibilities by initiating prompt and appropriate action/follow-up in all areas. Insures appropriate and timely resolution to situations.
4.) While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is required to stand, walk, stoop, finger, talk, reach, feel, sit, climb, grasp, hear and perform repetitive motions of the hands/wrists. Lifts and moves items up to 30 pounds.
5.) Possess the ability to work with people of all ages, excellent leadership skills, and exceptional organizational, interpersonal and public speaking skills.
Formation, Training, and Criteria for Readiness
Preparation for this ministry demands formation and professional training in Catechetics and Education. Minimally, a Certificate from the Diocese of Gary Lay, Ministry Program or equivalent is required, even though a more professional qualification, such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Theology, Philosophy, Catholic Studies, or Pastoral Studies or the equivalent, is preferred. The incumbent must be ready to perform his/her work mostly in an office setting. Extensive and close computer work is required as is sitting for long periods of time and attendance at evening or weekend catechetical sessions and/or meetings.