Director of Pro Family Ministry Diocese of Buffalo

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of the Respect Life and Family Life Ministry is responsible for developing and implementing catechetical and pastoral initiatives based on Catholic teaching in the areas of marriage and family life, Natural Family Planning, and respect for human life from the moment of conception until natural death. In particular, the Director works to ensure that programs such as pre and post baptismal preparation, pre and post marriage preparation, bereavement ministry at the parish level are supporting families and marriages through small groups, outreach, and catechetical ministry.

The Director collaborates to offer programs at the diocesan level as well as assisting parishes in developing their own programs in these areas of ministry.

• Promote and support marriage and family ministries at the parish family and vicariate levels including marriage preparation, baptismal preparation, marriage enrichment, support for divorced, separated or widowed Catholics, programs for families with young children, support for dads and moms, programs for newly married couples, Retrouvaille, hospice care and bereavement ministry.
• Provide opportunities for the professional and theological growth of those involved in diocesan and parish-based pro-life, marriage and family ministry including on-going education for clergy and laity, parish marriage and family life advocates, NFP instructors, etc.
• Develop and promote various educational programs and presentations that promote an authentic Catholic vision of life, marriage, human sexuality, and family life (parish speaking engagements, workshops, conferences, events, etc.).
• Promote and support the work of the various NFP teachers, providers, and organizations.
• Work collaboratively with the other Diocesan staff, Renewal Department, Catholic Schools Department and the Office of Vocations.
• Developing and implementing new initiatives based on the pastoral vision of the Catholic Church as expressed in Church documents such as the USCCB Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, USCCB Standards for Diocesan NFP Ministry, Vatican & USCCB documents on marriage preparation, and the pastoral priorities of the Bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo.
• Supporting the ministry of clergy by providing resources, training, and consultation for pastoral efforts in the areas of marriage, NFP, pro-life activities, and family ministries.
• Assisting diocesan and parish staff and volunteers in developing programming in these areas.
• Using contemporary means of communication such as web sites, email newsletters, and social media to evangelize and share pastoral resources.
• Building collaborative community relationships – including ecumenical relationships – with individuals and organizations engaged in ministry work in the areas of pro-life, marriage, NFP, and family ministries.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in Catholic theology of marriage and family including the Theology of the Body and a passion for evangelizing on these issues as well as experience in parish or diocesan ministry.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Catholic theology or pastoral studies. A master’s degree is preferred.

• Practicing Catholic in good standing.
• At least 5 years’ experience in parish or diocesan leadership or equivalent leadership position.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office software suite, email marketing tools, and social media.

• Strong knowledge of and ability to articulate Magisterial teaching in the areas of marriage, family, and respect for life.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to manage multiple projects and pastoral efforts simultaneously.
• Ability to manage teams and to work as part of a team with other diocesan directors.
• Bilingual skills in English/Spanish would be a plus but not required.

• This is an onsite position at the Diocesan Catholic Center.
• Some evening and weekend work required, as well as travel to diocesan locations.

• Registered and practicing member of Catholic parish faith community, ability to work well with diverse groups, skilled at facilitating participation, co-responsibility, and collaboration among staff and with parish communities and other diocesan groups, excellent interpersonal, oral, and written skills, commitment to the universal and local Catholic Church.

$42,000 – $52,000

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