Director of Faith Formation

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Director of Faith Formation serves the mission of the Diocese of Tyler by supporting and resourcing parishes in the areas of faith formation, sacramental preparation, Christian initiation, and lifelong formation for all ages. Rooted in the Church's mission to form disciples of Jesus Christ, this position promotes the Universal Call to Holiness and fosters a culture of evangelization, catechesis, and missionary discipleship within the diocese.

Diocesan Overview:

The Diocese of Tyler is a large, rural territory in the northeast corner of Texas with approximately 102,000 Catholics in 67 parishes and missions. Typical of rural areas, relationships between people are as important as organizations and structures. Many of the 33 counties in the diocese have only one Catholic church and volunteers lead the parish programs in these locations.

Bishop Greg Kelly, who will become Bishop of Tyler on Feb. 24, 2025, will provide the vision for the faith formation efforts of the diocese. The Director of Faith Formation will have a key role in articulating the vision and developing the plan for revitalizing the faith formation efforts of the diocese.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide vision, leadership, and support for parish catechetical leaders, clergy, and volunteers engaged in faith formation.
• Develop and implement diocesan guidelines and best practices for faith formation, sacramental preparation, and Christian initiation (OCIA/RICA).
• Support and resource parishes in fostering lifelong formation, including children, youth, young adult, adult, and family catechesis.
• Collaborate with other diocesan offices and departments to promote an integrated approach to evangelization, catechesis, and pastoral ministry.
• Organize and lead formation workshops, retreats, and conferences for catechists, parish leaders, and clergy.
• Provide guidance on catechetical resources and curricula, ensuring fidelity to Church teachings and suitability for parish needs.
• Stay informed of developments in catechetical ministry, evangelization strategies, and Church documents to support ongoing formation.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with Catholic organizations, academic institutions, and other faith formation networks.
• Assist parishes in forming missionary disciples by promoting initiatives that encourage active engagement in the faith and the broader community.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and synodality by encouraging dialogue, shared decision-making, and unity among faith formation leadership, parish ministries, and the faithful.
• Manage budgets and oversee administrative functions related to faith formation programs.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Practicing Catholic in good standing with a deep commitment to the teachings and mission of the Church.
• Master's degree in Theology, Religious Education, Pastoral Ministry, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum of five years of experience in catechesis, evangelization, or pastoral ministry, preferably in a diocesan or parish setting.
• Strong understanding of Catholic doctrine, catechetical methods, and Church documents related to evangelization and faith formation.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with clergy, parish leaders, and diocesan staff.
• Experience in training and mentoring catechetical leaders.
• Proficiency in technology, including learning management systems, digital resources, and communication tools.
• Fluency in Spanish or other languages common in the diocese is a plus.

Working Conditions:

• Standard office conditions. Repetitive use of a keyboard at workstation.
• Travel to the churches and institutions of the diocese.
• Occasional evening and weekend work required.

To Apply:

A resume, letter of interest, and a list of three professional references is required in order to apply. These should be sent as a single PDF to jobs@dioceseoftyler.org.

About the Employer

Founded in 1987, the Diocese of Tyler is located in Northeast Texas. The territory is divided into 53 parishes and 14 missions. The total population of the diocese is 1.4 million, of which approx. 120,000 are Catholic. For more information, visit dioceseoftyler.org. Bishop Greg Kelly serves as Bishop of Tyler.