Director of Faith Formation (EX)

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Ellicott City, Maryland, a vibrant Catholic parish, seeks a Director of Faith Formation. The Director of Faith Formation oversees and manages the faith formation of children and youth within the framework of the parish discipleship pathway and growing vision of a family-integrated program. The Director helps establish a comprehensive curriculum of the Catholic faith in alignment with the vision set by the Pastor and parish staff under the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The Director's primary focus is elementary formation with families, as well as sacramental preparation for 1st Reconciliation, 1st Communion, and Confirmation. Moreover, the Director is responsible for the recruitment, training, and ongoing development of the catechists and support team. The Director leads the faith formation team, including Coordinator of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, and the Faith Formation Administrative Assistant. The Director collaborates with our Evangelization team to integrate the adult faith formation curriculum. This position reports directly to the Pastor and is a member of the Parish Leadership Team.  This position will oversee all forms of faith formation in the parish, from 3-6 year olds through adults. This is a full-time, benefit-eligible position with the ability to work Sundays and evenings as required.

Essential Functions

In addition to the duties below, the Director of Faith Formation shall perform other duties as assigned. The duties listed below are all the responsibilities of the DFF; however, where appropriate, some of these duties may be delegated to and performed by other staff members or volunteers under the supervision of the DFF.

Baptism Preparation

• Come up with a baptism prep program that serves that people of God.
• Ensure that all expecting parents are invited to prepare for their children to be baptized. Provide an intake package, including expectations (i.e. are the parents married inside the Church, Mass is required on Sundays, 5 precepts of the Catholic Church, etc.).
• Schedule regular opportunities for Baptism preparation and follow up classes for parents and godparents.
• Collect necessary information prior to scheduling the baptism.
• Proficient in Sacramental record-keeping and able to assist the Parish Secretary with related administrative tasks, such as creating certificates, entering information in logs, etc.

First Penance & First Communion Preparation

• Create a prep program that is consistent with the dignity of the Eucharist.
• Ensure all parents of children at the age of reason (usually second grade) are made aware of the preparation process for these sacraments.
• Oversee a formation process that engages not only the children but the parents.
• Schedule and coordinate a parents' information session.
• Schedule and coordinate group formation sessions for children and parents.
• Schedule and coordinate opportunities to receive the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion in that order.

Confirmation Preparation

• Create/implement a Confirmation program that helps form disciples of Jesus Christ.
• Ensure all parents of children who have not been confirmed (usually eighth grade) are made aware of the preparation process for Confirmation.
• Oversee a formation process that engages not only the children but the parents.
• Schedule and coordinate a parents' information session.
• Schedule and coordinate group formation sessions for children and parents.
• Schedule and coordinate opportunities to receive the sacraments of Penance.
• Schedule and coordinate a Mount2000 retreat (or similar) for all to be Confirmed.
• Collect necessary information prior to agreeing to admit children to the sacrament.
• Schedule and coordinate the visit of the bishop to administer the sacrament of Confirmation, including necessary rehearsal (usually same day).

Rite of Christian Initiation of Children

• Adapt formation process to families who have children (under the age of 18) who seek full communion with the Catholic Church.
• Ensure all elements of formation, including liturgical rites, are addressed for each family.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults 

• Create/implement an OCIA program that helps form disciples of Jesus Christ.
• Serve as a resource to all who are interested in entering into full communion with the Catholic Church.
• Provide adequate opportunities for injury.
• Schedule and coordinate a formation process.
• Schedule and coordinate all preparatory rites, including the Rites of Welcoming, Election, Scrutinies, etc.
• Schedule and coordinate a retreat prior to the Easter Vigil.
• Schedule and coordinate opportunities for Confession for those who are already baptized.
• Schedule and coordinate a rehearsal prior to the Easter Vigil.
• Schedule and coordinate the period of mystagogy.
• Provide continuing education opportunities as necessary/able.

Religious Education Faith Formation

• Implement a catechesis program for grades K-8th, evaluating needs for catechists, schedule, and meetings.
• Provide information for catechists (as necessary).
• Provide information for mentors of small groups.
• Schedule and coordinate large group activities for high school and middle school students, respectively in conjunction with the Director of Youth and Young Adults.

Adult Faith Formation

• Provide opportunities for adult formation complementary to the above programs.
• Provide a quarterly faith formation series for the parish that is either catechetical, theological, or scriptural in nature and content.
• Organize outside speakers to come in and give talks/missions.

Visits to the Sick or Homebound

• Work with the Pastor to provide formation for volunteers who visit the sick and homebound parishioners.
• Correctly form extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion that can bring the Eucharist to homes, nursing homes, or hospitals/hospice centers.

General Responsibilities

• Work for the evangelization and catechesis of all members of the parish.
• Supervise Director of Youth, Young Adults and Campus Ministry and work with the parish secretary to maintain records and communications for all volunteers, parents, candidates, and participants involved in Faith Formation activities.
• Manage budget for all areas of formation.
• Attend parish staff meetings.
• Collaborate with school principal and faculty as needed.

Position Qualifications

• Fully initiated and active Roman Catholic who knows and embraces the faith and teachings of the Catholic Church.
• BA in Theology or related field, with a Master's Degree in Religious Education, Theology, Catechesis from an accredited Catholic university preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of experience working in Religious Education or equivalent.
• Must be professionally accountable, good listener and communicator in both oral and written forms; proficient computer skills for communication and administrative purposes; and be proficient at planning, organizing, and implementing systematic catechesis and faith formation.
• Ability to mentor, supervise, evaluate, and train staff members for programs.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to lead and organize volunteers.
• Ability to work Sunday and evenings as required.

Range:  Starts at $60,000; Annualized (position may pay higher depending on experience) 

Base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, experience for this role, and/or internal equity of our current employees as part of any final offer. Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus, which is determined upon company and individual performance. 

Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package with this position, including health, dental, and vision coverage; employer-paid life and disability insurance; automatic enrollment in the 403(b) plan and employer contribution (whether or not the employee contributes); and generous paid holiday, sick and vacation leave. Please click on the link below for more detailed information:

https://www.archbalt.org/human-resources/employee-benefits/employee-benefits/

Salary : $60,000