Director of Discipleship

Job Description

The Director of Discipleship (DOD) is a key member of the parish Leadership Team.

The DOD implements and directs pastoral-wide faith formation for children, youth, and families. The DOD plans and facilitates Sacramental preparation programming in collaboration with appropriate groups or individuals in the pastorate. The DOD also works closely with school staff to coordinate proximate preparation for Reconciliation and First Communion for school.

Essential Job Duties:
• Plan and promote an annual calendar of programming and formational opportunities in collaboration with other evangelization team members.
• Directs Family of Faith program which includes large group formation and activities, discussion activities and at home assignments for families.
• Directs the youth sacramental preparation programs (Reconciliation and First Eucharist).
• Ensures formation and sacramental preparation programs and events adhere to the Diocesan policies and guidelines.
• Determines textbooks/materials needed for Family of Faith and youth sacramental programs.
• Recruits, trains, motivates and provides general and specific on-going direction to catechists and volunteers involved with Family of Faith and youth sacramental programs.
• Ensure catechists and volunteers have gone through the VIRTUS safe environment and background checks.
• Primary Facilitator between the children/youth receiving sacraments and the Parochial Administrator to ensure follow through of the sacrament requested.
• Ensures the adequate documentation is submitted in regards to youth sacramental programs.
• Participates in Diocesan professional development days such as MDREO and other support opportunities.
• Collaborates regularly with the Parochial Administrator, School Principal, and parish staff in implementing the mission of the parish.
• Mentor the Associate Director of Youth Discipleship.
• Assists in vocational discernment by referring individuals to priests or vocational director.

Preferred Education & Experience:
• Bachelor's degree in Pastoral Ministry, Religious Studies, Theology, Religious Education, or related field, or commensurate ministry experience. Master's degree preferred.
• Experience in staff supervision and management in a parish environment with preference to those who have overseen a faith formation program in the past.
• Must have spiritual maturity, defined as a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church who is faithful to the Magisterium, consistent in one's prayer life, regularly receiving the sacraments, and able to speak of one's relationship with Jesus.
• Must have a broad understanding of and ability to articulate Church teaching regarding evangelization, catechesis, prayer, sacraments, and ecclesiology.
• Must be able to pray in front of and with others, to lead and participate in spontaneous prayer.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people using the spoken word, both within one-on-one coaching/apprenticing situations and in large group settings.

Required Competencies:
• Demonstrated understanding, respect and support of the Catholic Church's teaching, mission and values.
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and organize work effectively and efficiently, including developing and maintaining effective recordkeeping systems.

• Proficient use of Microsoft Office, Google Apps (Calendar + Gmail), Facebook, etc.

Additional Qualifications:
• Must be a person of faith, committed to the values of the Gospel, who provides sound leadership and responsible management of their duties.
• Has a "Service Mindset" when working with others
• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement, evaluate issues and situations and propose and implement recommendations and solutions.
• A strong work ethic, admits mistakes, works well with others, and displays patience and enthusiasm.
• Must be able to work in a professional environment including the following:

Supervisory Responsibility:
• Associate Director of Youth Discipleship Catechist training (Volunteers)

Normal Work Days & Hours (Average work week of 36-40 hours):
• Maintain at least 24 "office hours" each week during the school year (September - May)
• Maintain at least 12 "office hours" during the summer (June - August).

Travel Requirements:
• Yes, as needed to other sites within our Pastorate.

Other Duties
This job description is not designed or intended to be a comprehensive or exhaustive list of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of an employee in this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

About the Employer

We are a Catholic parish of 1800+ families located int the Diocese of Madison, WI with 6 locations (St. Olaf in De Forest, St. Jerome in Columbus, St. Thomas in Poynette, St. Joseph in Sun Prairie, St. Patrick in Doylestown, and St. Joseph in Rio.

The parish's mission is for every parishioner to understand and use their unique charism and gifts within the parish and take the gospel into their homes, workplaces, and culture.

The Director of Discipleship's office is located at St. Olaf in DeForest with occasional work at our other locations.