Associate Director Lifelong Faith Formation

Job Description

Position Purpose

Rooted in the diocesan mission to Courageously Live the Gospel and approaching Faith Formation with the foundation of the USCCB's statement "Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord" and the NACPA's position of "Just Treatment for those who work for the Church," the Associate Director of Lifelong Faith Formation plans, coordinates implements and evaluates all facets of Religious Education/Catechetics, and lifelong faith formation in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, under the direction of the Executive of Ministries of Missionary Discipleship. The Associate Director assists parishes and Catholic schools in the development of a coordinated/integrated plan for Religious Education/Catechesis/Faith Formation.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Plans, coordinates, implements, and evaluates all facets of Religious Education/Catechetics and lifelong faith formation in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Maintains collaborative working relationships with the other ministries of Missionary Discipleship to carry out bishop's vision and pastoral plan.

Responsible for the supervision and completion of Safe Environment Program within the ministries of faith formation.

Plans, implements, and oversees implementation process for the Catechism of the Catholic Church, The General Directory for Catechesis, and the National Directory for Catechesis and any other pertinent catechetical material.

Helps maintain and promote the policies for sacramental preparation of children and youth, to include the sacraments of initiation.

Collaborate to plan, develops, and oversees Religion programs in the Catholic schools of the Diocese as requested by the Catholic Schools Super Intendent.

Helps prepare and monitors budgets for the Lifelong Faith Formation, and Notre Dame Echo program on a fiscal-year basis.

Facilitates training of volunteer catechists and Catholic school teachers as needed; facilitates Catechist training on parish and deanery level.

Assists parishes in recruiting, hiring and contracting parish faith formation leaders for all levels of faith formation ministry; provides a resource listing of candidates seeking employment; acts as a facilitator in these processes when requested.

Helps develop policies and guidelines for training of faith formation leaders in accord with existing diocesan qualifications and National Standards as established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Coordinates and directs the overall in-service training of faith formation leaders and volunteer Catechists at all levels.

Assists all parishes in development of coordinated/integrated catechetical and lifelong faith formation programs.

Helps recommend Religious Education/Faith Formation policy to the Secretary for Christian Formation and the Diocesan Bishop.

Establishes and maintains appropriate working relationships with all departments and offices of the Pastoral Center.

Monitors and maintains quality of religious education/faith formation in parishes and schools.

Prepares management reports at required frequencies.

Prepares performance evaluation reports for supervised employees.

Being cognizant of societal demands, parish demographics, trends in Catholic Faith Formation and the principle that religious education is a life-long process, envisions goals and develops plans/programs in support of parish faith formation.

Help prepares and works within an annual budget. Orders departmental supplies as needed and keeps accurate records to ensure effective use of resources.

Partakes in staff and pastoral meetings, providing appropriate input, accurate assessments of programs and needs, and following through on information obtained.

Functions as a liaison between the Diocesan Office of Lifelong Faith Formation and the parish.

Serves as a faith formation resource person to the OCIA coordinator and team when needed.

Provides resumes to help recruit (with the assistance of the volunteer coordinator), trains, and provides on-going assistance and support to catechists and aides, ensuring well-prepared, nurtured instructors. Promotes catechists' involvement in the Diocesan Certification Program. Provides ongoing adult formation for parents and sponsors.

Cooperates with the Diocesan Pastoral Council for implementation of any policies or practices as approved by the diocesan bishop.

Provides information on parishes and Religious Education/faith formation to the diocesan bishop and others as requested.

Performs other duties related to Lifelong Faith Formation in the parishes and Catholic schools as deemed necessary.

Serves as the Supervisor for and liaison to the Notre Dame Echo Apprenticeship Program. Supervises all aspects of the parish placements, selection of Mentors and mentor/apprentice working relationships, community life and living accommodations for the Echo apprentices. Attends all training weekends and graduation events on campus at Notre Dame.

Helps build up, and cultivate success of faith formation, such as Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Summer VBS, etc.

Organizes, and/or helps lead retreats, conference, workshop, etc. and regular zoom and in person meetings for faith formation leaders.

collaborative relationships

Directly accountable to the Executive Director of Ministries of Missionary Discipleship.

Collaborates with pastors and their pastoral/catechetical-faith formation/ministry and temporalities staff in service to the parishioners of the local parishes of the Diocese.

Collaborates with Catholic school administrators, faculty and staff members of the Catholic Schools and Centers of the Diocese as needed.

Collaborates with parish Youth and Young Adult Ministers of the Diocese as needed.

Collaborates with parish directors of Adult Faith Formation as needed.

Collaborates with parish directors of Sacramental Preparation and OCIA as needed.

Participates in meetings Florida Catholic Conference Committees of Religious Education Directors (FCDD) as needed.

Working Conditions

This position is expected to be in a Catholic, Christian environment. The position requires travel within the diocese and outside of the diocese as the needs of the program may require. Availability for evening and weekend hours beyond/outside of normal business hours is required.

Qualities and Skills

Practicing Catholic in good standing

Bachelor's Degree in Religious Education or related field is preferred.

Minimum 5 years successful experience in religious education/Catholic school education or related ministry fields.

Instructional competence, managerial and administrative ability.

The associate director is a practicing Roman Catholic whose lifestyle reflects Church values. Competent in Microsoft Word or has the capability and willingness to learn.

The director has the ability to direct and supervise an administrative assistant, catechists and aides in the program. Displays strong interpersonal skills allowing for effective inter-personal relationships with staff, parents, students, and volunteers, and is able to work in a collaborative manner with the Youth Minister.

The associate director displays good organizational skills relating to but not limited to budgeting, scheduling and program preparation and integration with other parish activities.

The associate director remains current with issues affecting society, our parish community, catechetical issues and the life of the Church to keep the faith formation program accessible and meaningful to our parishioners.

Good human relations skills; ability to be outgoing and friendly, yet business-like and professional in dealing with people.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Willingness and ability to work with other staff members and colleagues from other Pastoral Center departments as well as pastors, catechetical leaders and other parish and school personnel.

Able to demonstrate initiative and anticipate the need for meetings, projects and reports; able to exercise mature judgment; able to accept constructive correction and direction and the ability to integrate gospel values and appropriate stewardship with all aspects of the position.

About the Employer

Our Mission

The people of God, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg, in union with our bishop, are transformed by Baptism, sealed with the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Word and Eucharist to promote the incarnation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.