Director of Religious Education

Catholic Diocese of Memphis•Memphis, TN

just now•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Religious Education (DRE) works collaboratively with the Pastor and the Parish leadership to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive faith formation program for children and youth in Kindergarten through Grade 12. The DRE provides leadership for parish Catechetical programs, sacramental preparation, Catechist formation, and family faith formation, with particular attention to serving the parish’s growing number of Spanish speaking families. This is a very large program with over 400 students. The DRE fosters a vibrant culture of evangelization and discipleship by supporting children, youth, parents, and catechists in their growth in the Catholic faith.

Requirements

Orders books and supplies.
Sets the calendar for catechetical programs and events.
Works with the pastor to set the religious education budget (and monitors said budget).
Reserves needed facilities and equipment.
Provides a safe environment for all: secures background checks and training for all volunteers working with children and youth per diocesan guidelines.
Communicates effectively with parishioners regarding the catechetical process and programs.
Conducts an annual registration process.
Maintains records of attendance and participation in catechetical programs and celebrations of sacraments.
Maintains records of achievement for catechists that include participation in all safe environment requirements, parish and Diocesan catechetical formation events, and applicable certification processes.
Participates in diocesan and parish staff meetings, coordinating catechetical ministry with other ministries.
Responds to parish and diocesan requests for reports, surveys and program evaluations.
Sets and implements catechetical vision for the parish based on contemporary Church documents to develop the parish as an evangelizing community.
Provides formation for the celebration of the sacraments for youth, children, and their parents.
Evaluates and selects catechetical resources (texts, materials, etc.) utilizing diocesan norms and policies.
Recruits, trains, supervises and evaluates catechists and support staff.
Supports and develops catechists by leading catechist training and providing catechetical resources.
Exhibits knowledge of and willingness to become familiar with diocesan policies and guidelines to ensure that the parish’s faith formation policies and programs are developed and implemented in accordance with Diocesan norms.
Maintains a support system and sets responsible boundaries to balance ministry, community, family, and personal and pastoral relationships.
Self-starter, good listener, ability to safeguard confidential information, ability to give and take directions, handle multiple tasks, exhibits oral and written communication skills and utilizes email and computer technology.
Demonstrated knowledge of or ability to use computer technologies such as: Email, Parish website, weekly bulletin, and social media as necessary, Parish Software utilized for recordkeeping and database management.
Adept at planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating programs; inspires others to conversion and personal and spiritual growth; delegates tasks to appropriate personnel; manages conflict; integrates a family perspective in ministry.
Fully Bilingual. Effectively communicates with both English and Spanish speaking families.
Fully initiated Roman Catholic, an active member of a Catholic parish, an active participant in the Church’s liturgical and sacramental life (including, if married, a valid sacramental marriage).
Demonstrated knowledge of the Catholic faith (which may include catechetical certification, undergraduate or graduate work in theology or religious studies).
Full Fluency in English and Spanish (oral and written).
College Degree, some college, or strong experience in education.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with children, youth, and families preferred.

Responsibilities

Keeping the pastor abreast of the total parish religious education program and its catechetical components on a regular basis.
Promoting and fostering an enthusiasm for the Catholic faith among our young people and their families.
Planning and oversight of the parish religious education program, including sacramental preparation.
Facilitating parent and catechist meetings, retreats, and workshops.
Serving as a resource for youth ministry.
Ordering books and supplies.
Setting the calendar for catechetical programs and events.
Working with the pastor to set the religious education budget and monitoring said budget.
Reserving needed facilities and equipment.
Providing a safe environment for all: securing background checks and training for all volunteers working with children and youth per diocesan guidelines.
Communicating effectively with parishioners regarding the catechetical process and programs.
Conducting an annual registration process.
Maintaining records of attendance and participation in catechetical programs and celebrations of sacraments.
Maintaining records of achievement for catechists that include participation in all safe environment requirements, parish and Diocesan catechetical formation events, and applicable certification processes.
Participating in diocesan and parish staff meetings, coordinating catechetical ministry with other ministries.
Responding to parish and diocesan requests for reports, surveys and program evaluations.
Setting and implementing catechetical vision for the parish based on contemporary Church documents to develop the parish as an evangelizing community.
Providing formation for the celebration of the sacraments for youth, children, and their parents.
Evaluating and selecting catechetical resources (texts, materials, etc.) utilizing diocesan norms and policies.
Recruiting, training, supervising and evaluating catechists and support staff.
Supporting and developing catechists by leading catechist training and providing catechetical resources.
Exhibiting knowledge of and willingness to become familiar with diocesan policies and guidelines to ensure that the parish’s faith formation policies and programs are developed and implemented in accordance with Diocesan norms.
Maintaining a support system and setting responsible boundaries to balance ministry, community, family, and personal and pastoral relationships.
Coordinating and/or offering support to Vacation Bible School, Children’s Liturgy Program, Continuing Adult Faith Formation, OCIA Process, and Parish Ministry Training.