Director of Religious Education

The principal duty of all employees is to assist in the mission of the Church in the Diocese of Fort Worth. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Ministerial information: 

The Director of Religious Education, working under the direction and authority of the Pastor, is responsible for the administration of catechetical activities as specified by the Pastor for St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church. The Director of Religious Education oversees, implements and facilitates all Catechetical programs for the parish and is responsible for the administration of all Sacramental Preparation and Religious Education Guidelines. The Director will oversee OCIA for Adults and Children and will also provide catechetical training and up-to-date resources for all catechists within the parish. The Director will exercise the ability to foster the New Evangelization with the intent of forming intentional disciples through use of systematic approach to the faith

Principal Accountabilities:

• Support the Mission of the Church in the areas of Evangelization and Catechesis through the directives set forth by the Pastor and the Diocesan Bishop through the Diocesan Department of Catechesis.
• Support, inform and guide all parish catechists in the areas of catechesis, doctrinal formation, liturgical formation and pastoral formation.
• Direct annual parish in-services for all catechists.
• Assist and encourage catechists to continue planning and implementing basic and life-long formation through programs and methods approved by the pastor.
• Promote the Catechetical Theme of the year as recommended by the USCCB (Catechetical Sunday).
• Maintain and update the Parish Religious Education Handbook.
• Implement Diocesan Sacramental Guidelines, offering training and formation when requested.
• Assist parish catechetical leaders (volunteers) to assess their particular needs, conduct workshops, correct problems, and build on strengths;
• Consult and collaborate with other parish staff to provide comprehensive programming to integrate the Catechetical mission of the Church within the Parish community.
• Maintain ongoing communication between parish catechetical leaders and volunteers achieved through emails, and regular mail outs for those not on e-mail, phone contacts and information on the website;
• Maintain up to date the Parish Web Page for all Parish Religious Education activities.
• Oversee the administration, implementation and formation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and for Children.
• Prepare, maintain and administer the program budget in collaboration with the Business Manager.
• Have monthly staff meetings with the Pastor and provide monthly progress reports.
• Have monthly staff meetings with the Business Manager.
• Work with the staff at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church to assist them with their overall catechetical needs.

• Serves as a member of the parish staff and administration team. Participate in decision-making regarding total parish direction and activities. Attends all staff meetings, department head meetings, Diocesan DRE meetings, Faith Formation team meetings, prayer days, and educational days.
• Responsible for articulation of the Diocesan Catechetical and Pastoral vision of Formation within the Parish.
• Develops a catechetical framework within initial catechesis using the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Fosters the process of Evangelization and Catechesis through the parish with focus on kerygmatic catechesis and Salvation History.
• Responsible for development, implementation and catechesis of parents in their role as primary teachers of the faith.
• Establishes and maintains a collaborative relationship with parishioners, including parents and families.
• Obtains approval and support from the Pastor for the general direction of Formation of the parish. Keeps the Pastor informed regarding all Formation programs.
• Responsible for the oversite, development and/ or selection of catechetical programs; approval of curriculum for all age levels of the parish in accordance with the Diocese of Fort Worth Catechetical Norms and Sacrament Guideline. Manages oversight, selection and purchase of catechetical materials (English &Spanish) for Parish dissemination.
• Oversees sacramental preparation programs in the parish including R.C.I.A. (O.C.I.A.), Infant Baptism Preparation, and Sacrament Preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation.
• Provides recruitment and training of catechetical volunteers. Provides Catechetical formation for all catechetical volunteers in best practices and pedagogical practices.
• Supervises all parish catechetical offerings for all ages, catechists, and program volunteers.
• Encourages all catechetical volunteers to participate in Diocesan catechist formation programs (Junipero Serra Institute; St. Francis de Sales Catechist Certification and Diocesan Catechetical Trainings).

• All other projects, tasks, etc., assigned.

Administration

• Leads and supervises the formation team; responsible for the guidance, professional development, resourcing, performance, and evaluation of the Faith Formation Coordinator, and Religious Education Administrative Assistant.
• Schedules regular formation staff meetings to develop faith community and provide professional in-service growth.

• Prepares and administers the operating budget of the Formation Department, in unison with Formation Staff, according to parish and diocesan policy:
  • Monitors all department expenditures and payroll timesheets.
  • Maintains and oversees the expenditures for materials and supplies.
  • Coordinates with the Business Manager for next year budget submissions in accordance with promulgated deadlines.
  • Coordinates with the Business Manager for the submission of monthly budget reports.

• Conducts regular evaluations of effectiveness of Faith Formation and Sacramental preparation programs for preschool through high school and adults (English and Spanish); reports findings to the Pastor and quarterly.
• Ensures the Safe Environment compliance of formation staff, catechists, volunteers (adults and teens); ensures compliance with and reporting of Virtus Empowering God’s Children training within parish children and youth catechetical programs.
• Coordinates the Parish Mission team under direction from the Pastor for input/ selection of Speaker for the Parish Mission and other adult/staff formation opportunities and spiritual growth. Responsible for ensuring proper Speaker Permissions granted through Diocese of Fort Worth.
• Works with the Vocations Committee to promote vocation to Religious and Consecrated Life.
• Continues personal growth in faith and professional advancement through meeting attendance, conventions, workshops and on-going professional development in areas of catechesis and evangelization.
• Demonstrates dynamic problem-solving skills through adaptable and flexible leadership. Clarifies the needs and directives of supervisors, supervises and manages logistics, and clearly communicates resulting needs and barriers to success in a timely, professional manner. 

SUPERVISION

• Coordinator of Faith Formation.
• Religious Education Administrative Assistant.

RECORD RETENTION RESPONSIBILTIES:

• Maintains work process binder.
• Manages the proper storage and disposal of confidential information and personally identifiable information (PII) in the Formation Department in accordance with policy and law.
• Oversight of student records and sacrament preparation records for Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation and R.C.I.A. (O.C.I.A.).

VOLUNTEERS:

• All Catechists and Formation volunteers.
• Vacation Bible School (VBS) volunteers.

Internal Contacts:

• Diocese Pastors, Priests, School Presidents, Principals, Business Managers, and employees.

External Contacts:

• Diocese vendors, local, state, and federal agency representatives, and auditors.

Working Conditions and/or Physical Requirements:

This position works in both a typical office environment and in public spaces but is subject to stress due to the evolving and quickly expanding business needs, tight deadlines and heavy workloads.

• This role routinely uses standard office equipment: calculators, computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, etc.
• This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary, extending arms and reaching files stored in multiple levels on file shelves, climbing up a stepladder to access files.
• Database entry via computer keyboard that requires hand and wrist movements.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance and up to 60 pounds with assistance.
• Nights, weekend, and holiday hours required.

Travel Requirements:

• Infrequent travel, by car, may be required to Diocese, Parishes and/or Catholic Center.

Education and Experience Preferred:

• An advanced degree in Catechetics, Theology or Religious Education from an approved Catholic Institution.
• Have Catechetical, Liturgical and Pastoral experience in teaching and administration in multiple catechetical settings.
• Advanced knowledge of Catechetical Documents i.e. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Catechesis In Our Time, General Director for Catechesis, Evangelization in the Modern World.

• Must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to use one’s own vehicle and company vehicles for business travel.

Knowledge and Skills Preferred:

• Background in Evangelization and Catechesis especially in the areas of catechetical methods and content, curriculum development, sound understanding of Church Doctrine and administration;
• Must be familiar with and understand the nature of the Kerygma and how it serves as a vital component in catechist formation and intentional discipleship;
• Familiarity with Catechesis and Inculturation methods and applications;
• Working knowledge of key Magisterial documents in Catechesis e.g. General Directory for Catechesis, Catechesis In Our Time, the Rites of the Church, Evangelization in the Modern World, Catechism of the Catholic Church etc.;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills combined with knowledge of Catechetical methodology, pedagogy in accordance with all Magisterial Documents on Catechesis.

• Excellent time management skills.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook).
• Willingness and ability to learn how to effectively use parish software.
• Demonstrated competency in theology and catechetics.
• Demonstrated knowledge and competency in catechetical methodology and pedagogy in accordance with Magisterial Documents on Catechesis.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities.
• Detail oriented and organized.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to learn.
• Demonstrated history of good judgement.
• Demonstrated aptitude for adaptability and flexibility.
• Demonstrated ability to skillset to listen empathetically, make peace, and de-escalate.
• Ability to honor and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to receive, understand, retain, and complete verbal and written tasks.
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service and work efficiently with staff, clergy, religious, and laity.

• Ability to work well with people from a diverse variety of audiences.
• Other competencies include: quality and timeliness, teamwork, results driven, self-management, collaborator, and leadership.
• Familiarity with catechetical resources for children and for training of catechists; and, Organizational, facilitation, research and process skills.
• Bi-lingual fluency in speaking, reading, and writing English and Spanish (if applicable).

FLSA Designation: Exempt, Fulltime 40 hours/week. On Site.