The Catechetical Director I, in conjunction with the pastor, is responsible for developing supporting and coordinating the parish faith formation of youth, children, and their families, including their sacramental preparation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Planning Responsibilities

Working under the direction of the pastor on the development and implementation of policies, programs, and best practices regarding catechetical formation of youth, children and their families and their sacramental preparation in collaboration with pastoral leadership team, parish and school staff:

Assess the faith formation needs of youth, children, and their families
Develop overall goals, objectives, and an implementation plan for lifelong faith formation and sacramental preparation in compliance with current diocesan guidelines for Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation.
Evaluate the lifelong faith formation and sacramental processes at regular intervals.

Catechetical Recruitment & Formation:

Recruiting, training, and mentoring catechists for Elementary Grade Catechesis (1-8).
Informing ongoing spiritual formation for catechists through appropriate means, such as retreats, evenings of prayer, courses offered by the Diocese, and other resources.
Providing continued support for catechists by being present before, during and after the teaching assignment, both in person and through email communication.
Develop role descriptions and provides regular evaluations for catechists through classroom visitation, verbal and/or written affirmations, and suggestions.

Program Responsibilities

Supervises volunteers for the catechetical programs for preschool age children through middle school age children (ages 3-5, & grades 1 through 8).
Provide resources and coordinating support for family-centered faith sharing opportunities within the parish.
Collaborate with Catechists and volunteers to plan curriculum and lessons for the faith formation program and sacramental preparation.
Review and select catechetical materials in consultation with the catechists, teams, and the Pastor.
Oversee the Parish Sacrament Teams in planning, coordinating and implementing programs for Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist for children and teens.
Represents Parish Catechetical Ministry at meetings of the following groups: Diocesan Catechetical events; Parish Staff; Pastoral Ministries Staff;
Diocesan Faith formation cluster teams; and Deanery level meetings.
Assists in planning and implementation of student registration, annual calendaring, inventory, supply and book ordering with all catechetical volunteers.
Maintains open proactive lines of communication with Parish Pastoral Council, Pastoral Leadership Team, parish staff, school staff, parents and students, and catechist volunteers.
Collaborate on sacramental celebrations with the Pastor, Liturgy Coordinator, Music Director, and school staff.
Assist in the recruitment, selection, training, certification, and supervision of catechists and volunteers for faith formation.
Inform ongoing spiritual formation opportunities for the formation of catechists and volunteers.

Administrative Responsibilities

Oversee the youth ministry and confirmation coordinator.
Oversee and evaluate faith formation volunteers.
Monitor the faith formation budget.
Prepare the faith formation schedules and registration procedures.
Supervise the collection of fees and purchase faith formation materials.
Responsible for the maintenance of records: family records (database), sacramental records, catechist records, and emergency information.
Responsible for calendaring and reserving the facilities for faith formation.
Responsible for the implementation of the Diocesan Safe-Environment program for children, parents, and volunteers. This includes setting appointments for fingerprinting of all catechetical volunteers.
Develop and monitor safety procedures and emergency plans.
Maintain resource library: books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, etc.

Communication

Communicate with the Pastor regularly, attend pastoral staff meetings, and collaborate with the pastoral staff and parish leadership team.
Communicate regularly with catechists, encouraging them, assisting them, and supporting their development and certification.
Communicate with parents regularly and promote their active involvement.
Participate in diocesan catechetical cluster meetings.
Maintain a relationship with the Department of Evangelization.
Promote the participation of catechists in diocesan and other opportunities for training and formation.

Personal and Professional Development

Seek or Maintain Master Catechist Certification.
Participate in opportunities for ongoing professional and spiritual development.

(Other duties may be assigned)

QUALIFICATIONS TO PERFORM THE JOB SUCCESSFULLY:

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, skills, abilities, or physical demands required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Education and Experience:

Academic: Bachelors Degree or equivalent in a course of study related to catechetics, religious education, theology, or pastoral ministry is a plus.
Certification: On-going certification or full certification as a Master Catechist according to the California Catholic Conference Guidelines.
Experience: At least Two to five years’ experience working at a parish within Faith Formation Ministry.

Language Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills; proficiency in composing reports, correspondence and letters and in publishing newsletters and flyers in English; ability to develop and facilitate workshops, training and presentations; ability to read and understand Church documents, guidelines and professional journals; ability to understand and explain policies and answer questions. Bilingual in Spanish, Tagalog or Vietnamese preferred.

Computational Skills: Ability to read and manage a budget and contribute to building a budget.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and respond to a variety of situations related to catechetical ministry. The ability to understand and apply guidelines, along with practical organizational skills, is required.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Proof of ongoing certification or full certification as Master Catechist and a valid driver’s license

Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic knowledge of internet applications and social media platforms. Knowledge of the use of the Parish Soft program is a plus.

Physical Demands: While performing duties of this job, the employee must be able to transport materials and equipment (up to 30 pounds) to and from various locations. The employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods, use their hands in repetitive motion tasks, handle objects, speak, and hear. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions: The work hours will be on a flexible schedule as work demands. Evening and weekend work is required.

Other Requirements:

Must be a practicing Roman Catholic.
The employee must demonstrate a history of effective leadership, good judgment, initiative, confidentiality, and discretion.
Able to work cooperatively and collaboratively with other members of the staff as well as with staff members outside the department.
Able to multi-task and provide good customer service.

Reports to: Pastor.

Salary Range (per year based on education and experience): $22-$27 per hour

Saint Justin Parish

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Catechetical Director I, Saint Justin Parish