Parish Catechetical Leader

Job Description

TITLE: Parish Catechetical Leader Date: April 2024
SUPERVISOR: Pastor
STATUS: Full-Time, Salary, Exempt, 10 Months (Based on 40 hours per week)

Read full job description at: https://saginaw.org/employment/st-gabriel-parish/parish-catechetical-leader

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Parish Catechetical Leader is a ministerial position and the candidate will act as a minister of the Church. The Parish Catechetical Leader must be an engaged Catholic that carries out evangelization by providing vision, coordination, and leadership of the parish's efforts to form disciples mainly by Faith Formation of children and youth. In addition, the candidate will coordinate the parish efforts of Adult Faith Formation. The main goal of this position is to meet the spiritual needs of the children and adults of St. Gabriel Parish.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Children
Coordinate Faith Formation sessions for 1st through 5th grade including regular communication with Faith Formation families.
Plan and facilitate sacramental preparation and celebration with children and families.
Coordinate Children's Liturgy of the Word. (Labor Day to Memorial Day)
Coordinate Children's Nursery. (Labor Day to Memorial Day)
Provide a day/morning of reflection/education for the school staff prior to first day of school.
Assist the schoolteacher with Mass preparation, liturgical ministry for Mass, prayer experiences, Advent and Lent resources and monthly Virtues.
Select materials for Vacation Bible School for VBS coordinator.
Plan and facilitate Safe Environment lessons annually for faith formation children.
Youth
Coordinate Faith Formation sessions, service opportunities and social events for 6th through 12th grade including regular communications with Faith Formation families.
Coordinate every other year mission trip for 8th grade - 12th grade youth.
Coordinate graduation Mass and reception.
Plan and coordinate the change of 2nd grade Confirmation to Middle School youth.
Connect youth to vicariate and diocesan events.
Adults
Plan and coordinate parish offerings: weekly Advent scripture study, weekly Lent opportunities: after Soup Supper & weekly scripture study, Education Commission events, etc.
Coordinate Sacrament of Baptism preparation and celebration with Baptism Team
Coordinate Adult Confirmation preparation and celebration.
Plan and facilitate formation of catechists.
Provide faith formation articles in the bulletin weekly.
Create and coordinate an OCIA team.

ACCOUNTABILITY & COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS
Position reports to the Pastor
Maintain professional and courteous work relationships with parish staff seeking involvement and input when appropriate.
Collaborate with Parish Education Commission & Parish Council; attend regular education commission meetings and provide a Faith Formation report.
Collaborate and communicate with parents and parishioners, regular attendance at Mass.
Maintain regular communication with Diocesan Offices, adherence to diocesan policies, especially regarding Faith Formation and Safe Environment.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Education: Preferable, a degree in Catechetics, Theology, Religious Education, Scripture, Liturgical Studies or a related field. The candidate must have Basic Catechist Certification.

Experience: Preferable, the candidate should have at least two years' experience with a Parish Faith Formation program. Must have knowledge of the Official teachings of the Catholic Church.

Job Related Skills: The ideal candidate is a flexible, energetic person of faith who is willing to do relational ministry with parish family members and to form them in missionary discipleship; inform, support and resource parents as the primary evangelists and catechists of their children; utilize appropriate written and audio-visual resources, social media, and technology for effective program implementation; must possess ability for public speaking.

Interpersonal Skills: The ability to work with others in a collaborative team environment; must be a fully initiated, practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church; ability to demonstrate an understanding and support of official Catholic teachings, especially as presented in Vatican Il documents and the Catechism of the Catholic Church; ability to maintain confidentiality and high standards of honest and ethical behavior.

Language Skills: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, write short correspondence and memos. Ability to effectively communicate with business partners/agents, parishioners, staff, and other employees of the Diocese.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Hours of Work: Typical work schedule is during normal business hours; evening and weekend availability as needed.
Nature of Work: Work environment is primarily in an office setting where the employee is required to do extensive computer work.
Employee is expected to walk, talk, reach, stand, sit, hear, and use repetitive motion of hands and feet, and may be required to lift up-to 15 lbs.
Valid Driver's License is required.
Regular, reliable attendance is required.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Attend the Diocese of Saginaw Safe Environment training for new hire employees within the first 30 days of hire.
Successful completion of criminal background check; pre-employment physical and drug screening may also be required.
Must be an individual who possesses a basic understanding of the teaching and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church and has a sound working knowledge of the Catholic faith and Church hierarchy.

About the Employer

The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw was established on February 26, 1938 by Pope Pius XI. Its territory included 16 counties, carved out the Diocese of Grand Rapids and the Archdiocese of Detroit, in Michigan's "thumb and index finger."

Today, the Saginaw diocese covers 11 counties in eastern mid-Michigan within the Roman Catholic Province of Detroit: Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, and Tuscola.

The diocese encompasses 6,955-square-miles of land and is home to an estimated 132,000 Catholics, according to the 2000 Census.