The Director of Discipleship and Formation serves under the direction of the Pastor to accomplish our parish goal of creating a culture of missionary discipleship for families with children and youth. We welcome all and provide opportunities for every person to grow in holiness and draw closer to Jesus Christ – every day and at every stage of life. This position will promote the development and integration of faith formation initiatives serving the children and youth of our parish community. The Director has the responsibility for the implementation of parish education and formation programs for children and their families that are based on sound Catholic theology.
The Director’s primary responsibilities include children’s catechesis for K-6 through the implementation of the Family Faith Program, First Eucharist and First Reconciliation Preparation, Baptism Preparation, and overseeing and supervising the Coordinator of Youth Discipleship and Formation, Liturgy of the Word for Children, OCIC, Special Religious Education Program (SPRED), Sunday School, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and summer programs.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Vision and Leadership for Discipleship and Formation
- Together with the pastor and the leadership team, shape, formulate and direct programming that enables the formation of intentional disciples and lifelong growth in the Catholic faith.
- Create and implement systems to evaluate the effectiveness of formation programs to ensure that the needs of the community are being met.
- Supervise Faith Formation staff. Meet with the team regularly and offer support and guidance. Develop departmental goals, objectives, and action plans. Implement departmental policies, procedures, and schedules.
- Be present frequently at weekend Masses and at significant parish events in an effort to know and be known by parishioners.
- Serve as the staff liaison to the Faith Formation Ministry Area Council, seeking out and engaging parishioners to serve on the council. Collaborate with the council to develop and promote programs and opportunities for faith development.
- Collaborate with the school principal to develop formation opportunities for our youth and their parents, seeking to create opportunities to integrate the school community into the life and mission of the parish.
- Work collegially with the priests, deacons, staff members and volunteers.
- Attend archdiocesan and regional conferences for continuing education and spiritual formation.
- Nurture his/her own spiritual life.
Family Faith Catechesis Program
- Develop and oversee curriculum materials and program delivery for children (K-6) Family Faith program, with one monthly session on a Wednesday evening.
- Assure that all materials meet Archdiocesan standards, utilizing the National Directory for Catechesis.
- Communicate regularly with parents in the program and provide lesson plans and resource materials assisting parents in fulfilling their role as the primary educators of their children in the Catholic Faith.
- Recruit, train and equip catechists and other volunteers for effective formation and evangelization, demonstrating spiritual care for catechists by offering opportunities for formation.
- Implement the parish Protection of Children and Young People Initiative.
- Purchase materials and supplies.
- Recruit, train, supervise and support hall monitors.
Sacramental Preparation- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
- Implement lesson for students preparing for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.
- Coordinate a First Reconciliation and First Eucharist Retreat and for parents and children enrolled in Family Faith.
- Schedule and coordinate the celebrations of First Eucharist and First Reconciliation as well as coordinate the liturgies with the worship team.
Baptism Preparation
- Coordinate volunteers who teach the parent class on Baptism.
- Recruit and train new volunteers as needed. On occasion the director teaches a class.
- Make sure materials are prepared and ready for the Baptism class.
- Order supplies for Baptism program when needed. (candles, holy water bottles, booklets)
- Using online registration information, create a list of participants for the monthly class. Provide the volunteer teaching with this information.
- Coordinate the Baptism assistants’ schedule for the Sunday 3:00 PM Baptism and Baptisms during mass. The assistants prepare everything needed for each Baptism and are present for the Baptism.
- Communicate with families to schedule baptisms.
- Prepare the certificates for all Baptisms as well as the documentation for the presider.
- Collect information and ensure recording of sacramental records for Baptism.
Word for Children Program
- Coordinate the weekly Word for Children program.
- Recruit, train, supervise and support volunteer catechists to lead during Sunday morning liturgies (9:00 AM and 11:00 AM Masses).
Department Administration
- Collaborate with the Parish Administrator and ministry department staff to develop an annual budget and assures that all programs operate within their budget guidelines, demonstrating good stewardship of parish financial resources and adherence to best practices in fiscal responsibility.
- Follow archdiocesan policies regarding staff and volunteer interaction with children and vulnerable adults.
- Ensure that all program volunteers who interact with vulnerable adults and children are Essential 3 qualified according to archdiocesan guidelines.
- Serve as a member of the parish leadership team representing the Faith Formation team at scheduled meetings.
- Attend all staff meetings and other staff activities as required.
- Coordinate and catechize at Catechesis of the Good Shepherd sessions.
