The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 216 parishes in Cook County and Lake county, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 13,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region's largest nonprofit social service agency. The Archdiocese also has one of the country's largest seminaries. The Archdiocese's 150+ elementary and secondary schools comprise one of the largest U.S. private school systems. Its schools have received 96 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards.
The Senior Coordinator for Children and Family Ministry implements and assists in the design of innovative and strategic approaches to support parish catechetical leaders with engaging and accompanying children, youth, parents and families in faith formation and sacramental preparation processes. Ministry focus includes family catechesis, adaptive catechesis and sacramental formation. Works under the direction of the Director of Lifelong Formation to set and execute strategies to identify, train, support and resource catechetical leaders in realizing the vision of the Archdiocese of Chicago for an engaged, evangelizing, and revitalized Church of disciples that transform their communities through witness to the love of Jesus.
Responsibilities:
Primary lead for family faith formation strategies
- Creates a practical vision for the formation and enrichment of families throughout the archdiocese; develops strategies and guidelines to assist catechetical leaders with best practices for family faith formation.
- Serves as a primary contact for parishes on matters related to family catechesis.
- Collaborates with archdiocesan offices and outside organizations on initiatives related to family faith formation. Examples: leads local efforts with NCCL’s family faith formation cohorts and the Pastoral Center’s (a national organization) offerings.
Primary lead for best practices for children and youth with cognitive and/or physical disability in parish faith formation
- Develops strategies and guidelines to assist catechetical leaders with best practices for including children and youth with cognitive and/or physical disabilities in faith formation and sacramental preparation processes.
- Serves as primary contact for parishes regarding formation for children and youth with special needs and archdiocesan catechetical and sacramental policies.
- Collaborates with archdiocesan offices and outside organizations on initiatives related to adaptive catechesis for children/youth with cognitive and/or physical disabilities.
Core member of Children and Family Ministry Team and its support of parish catechetical leaders
- Works with ministry team to develop and implement guidelines and resources for catechetical leaders, particularly in the areas of religious education/faith formation, sacramental preparation, family faith formation, and formation of parents.
- Contributes to the development and implementation of pilot approaches to formation of children, youth and families that is inclusive of both kerygmatic and formational moments, as well as invitation and opportunity for missionary outreach.
- Works with ministry team to design, coordinate and implement formation strategies through the planning and creation of workshops, webinars and trainings for parish catechetical leaders and catechists.
- Serves as primary contact for parishes regarding archdiocesan sacramental policies.
- Collaborates with archdiocesan offices and outside organizations on initiatives related to sacramental preparation.
- Conducts needs analysis, assesses and makes determinations as to the ministry needs and challenges and manages alignment and integration of these needs with the other ministries.
- Fosters a spirit of creativity, collaboration, professionalism, and accountability among members of the children’s ministry team.
- Leads and participates in committees, projects, or initiatives as directed by the Office of Lifelong Formation or Department of Parish Vitality and Mission.
- Increases skills and knowledge through continuing education, attending conferences, and reading appropriate literature.
- May be given other assignments and projects consistent with the responsibility level of this position.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Theology, Pastoral Ministry or related field of study from an accredited college or university, or equivalency.
- At least three years of experience in leading parish faith formation ministry, including family faith formation.
- Fully committed to the Catholic Church’s teaching on the Gospel message.
- Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people, including persons with varied social, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.
- Must be an excellent communicator, detail-oriented and self-motivated.
- Working knowledge of all Microsoft Office programs, including Outlook, Excel, Word, Power Point, and Teams.
Preferred:
- Master’s Degree in Theology or related field of study.
- Five or more years of proven professional experience and leadership in parish faith formation ministry.
- Experience working with children/youth with cognitive or physical disabilities.
- Ability to mentor colleagues toward success.
- Bilingual English/Spanish.
The Archdiocese of Chicago offers a comprehensive total rewards package to include competitive compensation and benefit programs. Information about our benefit programs is available here.
This position has an annualized salary range of $58,662.98 - $73,328.73. An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on many factors including but not limited to: relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and organizational needs.
