Coordinator for Ministry to Families

Job Description

Job Purpose
Work collaboratively with the Office of Mission and Ministry team to strengthen all Hispanic and English-speaking parishes of the Diocese of Kalamazoo in living out the mission of the bishop. Strengthen the parishes' points of contact with families, such as sacramental years, marriages, annulments, deaths, and times of struggle and addictions. Assist in transforming Catechesis within the diocese to truly assist the parents and families in teaching the faith and being creative in ministering to and forming families of faith. Directly evangelize staff and key volunteers, serving as a messenger of the faith, and training them to do the same to build up families that are witnesses and living as missionary disciples.

Major Responsibilities
Family and Pro-Life Ministries
• Collaborate with department to develop a plan for discipleship development of family; Implement the plan and offer continuing support and spiritual development for parishes to provide for family ministry.
• Develop and implement comprehensive program for the building up and evangelizing of families throughout the diocese, including leading prayer and retreat sessions and teaching the faith to staff, volunteers and parishioners.
• Organize and lead retreats for engaged, budding, struggling, and seasoned couples.
• Develop and help implement plans for marriage preparation within the diocese of Kalamazoo, including teaching the theology of marriage, guiding spiritual development, and teaching how to pray.
• Develop and implement a plan for parishes to reach out to families struggling in the mist of addictions, death, suffering, and divorce.
• Collaborate with other departments to promote and engage families in developing discipleship and a culture of evangelization within the family.
• Organize opportunities for parents to grow in love, knowledge, and faithfulness to the Christian life, through theological trainings, prayer development, and ministering to people's needs.
• Train parents in developing their children into people who strive to be saints.
• Coordinate Pro-Life Ministries throughout the diocese, including coordinating communication, participating in local March for Life and leading prayers for life, coordinating and leading Project Rachel retreats etc.

Other Mission and Ministry
• Parish Point person for a region of parishes and pastors, to engage staff, communicate programs, give spiritual support, and assist in implementing the bishop's mission. Execute plan for spiritual development within parishes which may include retreats, trainings, prayer events etc.
• Collaborate with others in the department to support parishes, teach and train parish staff, maintain contact with parish for ministry information, and develop support for parishes and staff.
• Collaborate with department on major programs and initiatives such as retreats, pilgrimages, conferences and trainings, including teaching the faith, leading prayer, giving spiritual guidance, and ministering to staff needs.
• Various tasks as assigned.

Education and Experience
• Bachelor of Arts degree in theology or equivalent is required.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in parish, seminary, or religious institution working with programming, families, Pro-Life ministries and/or spiritual development; 3 years' experience is preferred.
• Experience collaborating with clergy and parish staff is required.
• Experience working with adults in training and discipleship, including planning and executing programs, is preferred.
• Experience volunteering or working in the field of family ministry is preferred.
• Experience with strategic planning and visioning, project management, data management and analysis is preferred.

Skills and Qualifications
• Must be a disciple of Jesus, with active prayer life, with strong knowledge of and commitment to Catholic teachings and practices to perform role consistently aligned with the Catholic faith.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs is required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are required with the ability to effectively listen, communicate with others and skills to present to a group.
• Ability to work effectively and collaborate with a team with a willingness to help wherever needed and to build and maintain positive working relationships.
• Must be able to problem solve and make informed decisions according to level of authority.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills to meet deadlines, multitask, and to shift priorities to meet diocesan needs.
• Must possess a high degree of confidentiality and professionalism, welcoming attitude, and a commitment to the highest level of customer service.
• Must pass Background check and fulfill diocesan Safe Environment programs.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish, knowledge of Burmese would be beneficial.

Other
This job summary is intended to describe the functions and nature of work performed by the person assigned to this position. It is not intended to describe all responsibilities, duties and skills required.
• Regular, reliable attendance is an essential function, and all employees are required to follow any other job-related instruction and perform any other job-related tasks as requested by their supervisor.
• While performing duties, employees must sit for long periods of time, use their hands in repetitive motion tasks, and answer telephone calls. The position also requires some standing, stooping, climbing stairs, and bending while filing and may occasionally lift items up to 20 pounds.
• This position is located at the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo Pastoral Center and will require travel to other diocesan offices, parishes and schools as required by position responsibilities and/or diocesan management. This position will be exposed routinely to typical office noise levels and/or exposure to various weather conditions.

Please apply on Indeed: https://www.indeed.com/job/coordinator-ministry-families-bc9b85753b6702e7

About the Employer

The Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo is the territory of Catholic churches and community led by Bishop Edward M. Lohse. The diocese was founded in 1971 when the Second Vatican Council called for the creation of smaller dioceses so that bishops could be more available to the people they serve. Today the diocese encompasses 5,337 square miles of nine counties in southwest Michigan: Allegan, Barry, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch and includes 59 parishes and missions as well as 20 Catholic schools.