Description
Responsible for the parish’s religious education program from pre-K – junior high. As a representative of the pastor, the Director of Religious Education (DRE) implements the parish religious education program in accordance with the parish mission statement and goals. The DRE manages program content, paid & volunteer staff, and budgets; coordinates with other parish ministries and activities; director of liturgy and worship; reports to the pastor as required.
Requirements
General Duties and Responsibilities
Program Development and Volunteer Staff Formation
• Articulate a vision of catechesis/faith formation and the catechetical process based on the major catechetical documents of the Church.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the paid and volunteer staff in reaching program goals.
• Apply appropriate principles of human development, especially faith and moral development, to a catechetical and faith formation program.
• Utilize appropriate methodologies of adolescent and child-centered learning.
• Provide opportunities for the spiritual growth of the volunteer staff.
• Plan annual volunteer staff commissioning.
• Conduct quarterly volunteer staff development sessions.
• Establish and conduct a recruiting program for volunteers; select volunteers and arrange for them to attend formation courses and in-service training, etc.
• Work closely with the RCIA coordinator and catechists
• Coordinating Protecting God’s Children VIRTUS sessions for parish volunteers.
• Coordinating Empowering God’s Children VIRTUS sessions for children and teachers in R.E. programs.
Family Faith Formation
• Involve the family as an essential agent in the faith formation process, especially in the faith formation of children and adolescents through yearly retreats and workshops.
• Create class syllabi for various age groups, including a Special Needs sacramental preparation class.
• Use media and technology for effective program implementation.
• Incorporate service opportunities and reflections on these experiences in catechetical/formation programs for adolescents, especially linking such opportunities to fostering peace and justice.
• Provide opportunities for participation in prayer, personal spiritual development, and communal worship.
• Provide parent/guardian faith formation sessions.
Administrative tasks
• Plan agenda for monthly R.E. paid staff meeting
• Design the annual program (calendar, schedules, etc.)
• Prepare an annual budget. Review expenditures monthly.
• Plan the sacramental programs (Youth RCIA, Reconciliation, First Holy Communion)
• Develop a plan and oversee the yearly registration process.
• Supervise R.E. record keeping pertaining to student files.
• Acquire, organize, and provide resources for catechists in elementary and junior high.
• Plan for the attendance of volunteers/staff at the Religious Education Congress.
• Attend the monthly Regional Parish Catechetical Leadership meetings.
• Maintain contact with the Archdiocesan Office of Religious Education and other related offices of the ADLA.
• Verify all volunteers in R.E programs are fingerprinted and Virtus certified.
Parish tasks
• Coordinate Virtus sessions for Protecting God’s Children and Keeping the Promise Alive
• Member of the Parish Safety Committee or the Parish Safety Management Committee
Required and/or In-progress Certifications.
• California Catechist Certification
• Parish Catechetical Leadership Certification
• Must be an active and practicing Catholic with an understanding of the Catholic Faith and the sacraments with the desire to foster a relationship with God in those he/she serves. Must have the ability to work with parents to foster the faith education of their children and the ability to work with and coordinate activities with staff and volunteers.
Preferred
- MA in Religious Studies or equivalent
- Bilingual English and Spanish
- Knowledgeable of whole community catechesis vision and strategies
- Familiarity with Archdiocesan guidelines and Canon Law
- Bi-lingual a plus
Wage Range
Information/Application Contact
St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church (Santa Clarita)
19606 Calla Way
Santa Clarita, California 91351
c.furtado@st-clare.org