Youth and Young Adult Minister

Job Description

The Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Angels at the Franciscan Renewal Center is set on 25 acres of serene desert grounds in Paradise Valley. Founded in 1951 by the Order of Friars Minor, the Center is dedicated to its mission of renewing lives through spiritual growth, healing and transformation, and service to others.

Working in close cooperation with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, our church is a non-parish community that welcomes people from across the Valley. Many are drawn here in search of a spiritual home where joyful liturgies with Franciscan friars, a deeply engaged community, and meaningful opportunities for retreat, reflection, and service are woven into a shared life of faith.

Through contemplative grounds and prayer spaces, as well as outreach ministries serving the poor and vulnerable, we seek to live the Gospel in a spirit of compassion and hospitality. Pastoral care and guidance are offered by a dedicated team of friars, staff, and volunteers who foster a supportive environment of accompaniment and belonging-inviting all to encounter God and experience renewal rooted in Catholic and Franciscan tradition.

Faith Formation at Our Lady of the Angels offers a unique opportunity for a Youth & Young Adult Minister (YM) to join a collaborative ministry team focused on evangelization, relationship-building, and faith formation. Because Our Lady of the Angels is a conventual church rather than a neighborhood parish, this role places special emphasis on intentional community-building, outreach and evangelization.

The Youth & Young Adult Minister (YM) fosters faith formation of teenagers and their families through the coordination, facilitation and evaluation of programs and processes inviting young people to live out their baptismal call within our caring Christian community. This role includes both internal community engagement and outreach beyond the OLA community, creating spaces and an atmosphere for faith formation opportunities deepening their faith and experiencing belonging.

Working closely with the Faith Formation team, the YM provides age-appropriate and intergenerational faith formation opportunities for 7th -12th graders with their families and for young adults. The YM focuses primarily on Our Lady of the Angles (OLA) community members and is also responsible for communicating and providing an open door to the wider diocese. With the expectation that both ministries will grow in the future, this position may change to focus primarily on either Youth or Young Adult ministry.

YOUTH MINISTRY
• Foster a youth ministry culture that emphasizes and is rooted in full, conscious and active participation in Eucharist, primarily through weekend liturgies.
• Coordinate peer-led weekend retreat experiences for high schoolers with weekly formation follow-up.
• Coordinate a family-based Junior High Youth Ministry centered on Eucharist and the mission work that follows.
• Coordinate an intergenerational summer service trip (minimum age 16).
• Coordinate ongoing service opportunities with a reflection component. Collaborate with Faith in Action Ministries where possible.
• Collaborate with the Liturgy Department to empower and train youth liturgical ministers.
• Collaborate with the Family Minister regarding the transition from Phase 3 to youth ministry.
• Coordinate the OCIT process in collaboration with OCIA.
• Network with other youth ministers in the Diocese of Phoenix and the Our Lady of Guadelupe Province through individual and diocesan/province meetings.

YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
• Establish authentic relationships with young adults and promote opportunities inviting them to formal catechesis, spiritual growth, and enrichment targeted to this age group.
• Guide and encourage young adults to full, conscience and active participation in the church through weekend liturgies, ministry, service, outreach, and living the Gospel.
• Foster "committed belonging" at OLA by inviting them to participate in the liturgy as liturgical ministers.
• Collaborate with FRC staff to invite young adults to participate in service opportunities, retreats and other programming within OLA, the Franciscan Renewal Center, and the broader community.
• Recruit, train, empower, and supervise young adult ministry volunteer team.
• Collaborate with the Young Adult Ostiaries to welcome new young adults into the OLA faith community.
• Build relationships and network with other young adult ministers in the Diocese of Phoenix through individual and diocesan meetings.
• Maintain and regularly update the Young Adult Ministry online platforms.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• Be a "noticer of people," engaging in a ministry of presence at Sunday liturgies primarily through collaboration with Hospitality Ministry.
• Contribute to the vision and direction of the Faith Formation Department, OLA Church Community and the FRC through serving on committee's and active participation in staff meetings and other gatherings.
• Further professional and personal growth by participating in workshops and seminars, especially those related to Catholic youth & young adult ministry.
• Support other ministerial and FRC tasks and responsibilities at the behest of the Director of Faith Formation.

REQUIREMENTS
• Bachelor's degree in Pastoral Ministry or related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Practicing Roman Catholic, fully committed to the Mission of the Catholic Church and Franciscan values.
• Two or more years' experience in similar role preferred.
• Must be passionate, energized, and excited about youth & young adult ministry.
• Ability to view the work of youth & young adult ministry though a visionary lens that recognizes developmental realities and emphasizes "process" over "program."
• Consistently model a life of discipleship in the Way of Christ, rooted in the Gospel, centered on Eucharist and drawing on the Franciscan tradition.
• Committed to the goals for youth & young adult ministry and the Church as outlined by the USCCB and the Our Lady of Guadelupe Province.
• Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple priorities, juggle multiple tasks at one time and work independently as well as part of a team.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate mature and thoughtful communications, decision making and in responding to issues.
• Ability to build relationships with youth and families and with young adults.
• Openness to being mentored within an Initiation Model of Youth Ministry.
• Strong commitment to the Franciscan Renewal Center mission and to ongoing formation in Franciscan spirituality.
• Ability to able to ascend and descend stairs throughout shift.
• Ability to work on-site 100%
• Ability to work a full-time flexible schedule at least 40 hours per week, including attending Masses and working on Sundays.
• Additional flexibility and availability to work evening and weekend hours when necessary.

WE OFFER competitive pay and a full benefits package, including:
• Health, life, and disability insurance.
• Vision and basic dental covered 100% by employer.
• 403b retirement plan with employer match.
• 15 days PTO + 9 paid holidays + paid sick time.
• Free tele-doctor visits.
• Paid retreat leave and professional development.
• Staff lunches and events.
• A values and mission-driven workplace where your work truly matters.

Online applications Only - Apply on our Career page at https://www.thecasa.org/> About Us> Careers
OR directly to this job at https://apply.appone.com/job/695d570ec26b30a2353342ac

JOIN THE FRC TEAM!
At the Franciscan Renewal Center, every role is more than a set of duties-it is hands-on, impactful, and valued, with many describing it as a true calling. Each day, our staff embody Franciscan (OFM) values, working collaboratively and in a spirit of hospitality, serving as faithful stewards of our property and operations, and demonstrating unwavering dedication to our mission. Together, this shared commitment creates the welcoming environment that draws guests back program after program, year after year, and keeps our church community active, vibrant, and thriving.

Apply at: https://apply.appone.com/job/695d570ec26b30a2353342ac

About the Employer

The Franciscan Renewal Center is a nonprofit Catholic retreat center and home to Our Lady of the Angels Church, in Paradise Valley, AZ. Founded in 1951 by the Order of Friars Minor, we're committed to our mission of renewing lives through spiritual growth, healing and transformation, and service to others. Our staff and volunteers are passionate about our shared work that provides a peaceful and welcoming experience for all who come here.

Mission services:
• Retreats, meeting and conference space for faith-based and nonprofit organizations
• Joyful worship with Franciscan friars at Our Lady of the Angels Church, and support with faith formation and spiritual education
• Service and outreach programs for the poor and vulnerable
• Counseling, therapy, and support groups