Director of Religious Education - School of St. Mary - Vic. I

Archdiocese of Chicago•Lake Forest, IL

2d•$57,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Religious Education (DRE) serves as a pastoral leader responsible for the vision, development, and administration of the parish faith formation program for children and families from Kindergarten through Grade 8. Rooted in the mission of evangelization and discipleship, the DRE fosters lifelong Catholic faith formation through catechesis, sacramental preparation, prayer, and community engagement. The DRE collaborates closely with clergy, parish staff, school leadership, catechists, volunteers, and families to support the spiritual growth of parish children and youth. The Director of Religious Education serves as a visible witness to the Catholic faith, leading children and families into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and active participation in the sacramental life and mission of the Church.

Requirements

Practicing Catholic in good standing with a commitment to the teachings and mission of the Catholic Church.
Bachelor's degree in Theology, Religious Education, Pastoral Studies, or a related field required.
Minimum of five years of parish staff experience, with demonstrated leadership in faith formation, catechesis, or pastoral ministry preferred.
Strong knowledge of Catholic doctrine, sacramental preparation, and catechetical methodology.
Proven ability to lead staff and volunteers, manage programs, and build relationships with children, parents, and parishioners.
Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365, Canva, parish database and communication platforms, and related technology.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct and oversee all aspects of the parish Religious Education serving approximately 300+ students in Kindergarten through Grade 8.
Develop, implement, and evaluate catechetical programming in accordance with Catholic teaching and Archdiocesan guidelines.
Coordinate sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and OCIA adapted for children for both parish religious education and parish school families.
Recruit, train, form, and supervise catechists, volunteers, and support staff, fostering their spiritual and professional development.
Supervise the Religious Education assistant, administrative assistant and all religious education personnel.
Plan, organize, and oversee weekly Religious Education classes, summer intensives, and seasonal programming.
Provide leadership for Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) and support family-centered faith formation initiatives.
Collaborate with staff and clergy to plan prayer services, liturgies, retreats, sacramental celebrations, and adult faith formation opportunities.
Coordinate annual enrollment, sacramental meetings, program communications, and faith formation events.
Oversee the Religious Education calendar and budget in collaboration with parish leadership.
Ensure effective communication through parish bulletins, newsletters, website content, and other parish media.
Provide input and be a resource for best practices for children in the context of faith formation to parish leadership and school leadership.
Advocate for ongoing faith formation for children, outside of sacramental preparation years.
Participate in parish leadership initiatives and collaborate with regional and Archdiocesan faith formation leaders.
Perform other duties and ministries as assigned by the Pastor.