Faith and Family Formation Director

Job Description

The Director of Faith and Family Formation promotes family ministry, religious education, sacramental preparation, and youth/young adult ministry throughout the diocese by providing resources and opportunities for individual parishes and diocesan regions to strengthen their outreach and catechesis to individuals and families of all ages and social situations. The Office of Faith and Family Formation is born of the fruit of Pope Francis' call to strengthen the family and the reflections found in his apostolic exhortations Evangelii Gaudium (2013) and Amoris laetitia (2016). The Director performs all duties and responsibilities in alignment with the mission, vision, and values of the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks.

This is a full-time position with excellent benefits. Salary DOE.

For more information, to request a formal job description, or to submit a cover letter and resume please contact humanresources@cbna.org.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Serves as a primary resource for individuals, parishes and regions regarding various programs and products available for sacramental preparation, religious education, and family ministry in conformity with the USCCB's National Directory for Catechesis, approved catechetical materials and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
• Works collaboratively with parishes and regions to engage their ministries in incorporating the diocesan vision of encountering Christ, being transformed, and being sent as missionary disciples.
• Coordinates with the Office of Safe Environment and parishes to make sure that Safe Environment training has been accomplished in religious education classes.
• Annually, coordinates with the Office of Safe Environment and parishes to acquire lists of names of all religious education catechists and volunteers. Coordinates with the Office of Safe Environment to ensure all catechists and volunteers have been background checked.
• Helps shape, formulate, and implement initiatives and ideas for evangelization and catechesis efforts that will take into consideration the unique cultures and availability of resources in various regions of the diocese.
• Provides opportunities for the professional and theological growth of catechists throughout the diocese through annual continuing education, seminars, etc.
• Works with various institutions and groups locally to promote and support programs for all stages of the family life cycle: engaged; newly married; families with school aged children; adolescent stage families; boomerang families; empty nesters; end of life.
• Collaborates with other diocesan offices in providing/presenting/coordinating family formation opportunities.
• Serves as advisor to the bishop and other chancery staff on issues pertinent to the mission of the position.
• Remains current in the areas of theology and catechetics, and studies the documents of the Catholic Church, specifically the Catechism of the Catholic Church, papal encyclicals and exhortations, and documents of the USCCB on issues pertinent to the mission of the position.
• Displays a genuine interest and care for the people of the diocese by honoring their cultural context and personality distinctions.
• Drafts and/or updates policy, procedures, correspondence, and other documents and papers related to the ministry of the office.
• Supervises volunteers as needed.
• Provides financial management as needed, to include formulation of annual budget for office.
• Travels as needed to the bush to provide catechetical training and support.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Required: Letter of support from your current pastor stating that you are a Catholic in good-standing, regularly involved in the life of the parish. A Catholic who supports, lives, and communicates the teachings of the Catholic faith; availability to work nights and weekends as needed.
• Minimum: B.A. in Theology or comparable field or demonstration of knowledge of the faith appropriate to the position.
• Preferred: Five years' experience in related field; diocesan level experience preferred.
• Good oral and written English-language communication skills, including clear speaking voice and professional writing with proper spelling and grammar.
• Must be able to work with, speak and listen to individuals from different cultures within Alaska. Ability to patiently work with individuals with English as a second language.

About the Employer

We are people of God in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks.
Blessed with a rich variety of backgrounds and talents, we strive to be a living reflection of the Universal Church. Through our baptism, we continue Christ's mission to further the kingdom of God through the human family. We share our living faith by proclaiming the Gospel in word and example. Together we celebrate Christ's presence in worship and sacraments.