Assistant Director of Religious Education

Description

The Assistant Director of Religious Education helps administrates (designs, develops, directs, and evaluates) a Pre-K-8th grade (including Vacation Bible School), OCIA for Children, and Adult Faith Formation parish catechetical program and provides leadership to assist the parish community in building a solid foundation for child, youth, and adult spirituality, Christian living, ministry, and church. The DRE administers the FORMED program and Franciscan at Home, as well as supervises the Youth Ministry, OCIA for Adults, and Young Adult programs, along with their volunteers.

The Pastor is the visible principle and foundation of unity in the parish of Sacred Heart Catholic Church which the Bishop has entrusted to him. He makes Christ’s mission present and enduring in the parish. In order to fulfill his mission, the Pastor employs suitable, chosen collaborators (clerics, religious, or lay people). He shares with them his mission and entrusts various responsibilities to them.

Positions employed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church help to extend the ministry of the Pastor in particular ways as outlined in the job description. Therefore, the employee in this position is closely connected to and assists the Pastor in the performance of his ministry and thereby engages in ministry for the Church.

• As an integral part of your ministry for the Church as carried out in this position, support and uphold the philosophy of Catholic ministry and the mission of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in both your professional and personal life.
• Act as a witness to Gospel values by modeling the teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Continuously grow in your ministry by participating in religious ceremonies, training sessions, and reflection activities.
• Pursue professional development in collaboration with clergy and Diocese of Austin.
• Maintain relationship with Pastor, other parish staff members, commissions, catechetical staff, and diocesan office of Evangelization and Catechesis.
• Help Direct the implementation, ongoing management, and evaluation of parish religious education program.
• Integrate insights from current catechetical literature into program planning.
• Design catechetical programs which support lifelong learning and conform to the National Catechetical Directory (NCD), Diocesan guidelines, and parish needs.
• Develop and/or collaborate toward a coordinated approach toward total parish religious education, faith development through catechesis on all levels.
• Support knowledge and skills of catechists through Catechetical Certification sessions.
• Articulate a vision/direction for the parish catechetical program.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate catechists and support volunteers.
• Identify and support leadership within the community to take responsibility for program components.
• Adjust program components (space, time, materials, human and physical resources) as needed.
• Obtain/order resources (textbooks, Bibles and liturgy materials, sacramental gifts, additions to the library) in conjunction with office staff.
• Communicate with participants, parents, catechists, and parish-at-large to keep them informed of religious education efforts.
• Communicate, provide handouts, forms, and information for families and catechists in Spanish and English as needed.
• Maintain a work schedule that maximizes availability to students, parents, and staff.
• Maintain parish compliancy for ministry of catechesis in Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM/Virtus) components including:
  • Adult EIM Basic and/or Refresher for all staff and volunteers under their supervision
  • Empowering God’s Children program for First through Eighth grades
• Attend and direct all Religious Education meetings.
• Support, where possible, diocesan and deanery events.
• Adjust religious education programs in relation to feedback from Pastor, parents, catechists, and current professional literature.
• Assist in Overseeing planning for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, in conjunction with Sacred Heart’s DRE.
• Collaborate with necessary persons for planning for Rite of Confirmation, in conjunction with Sacred Hert’s DRE.
• Prepare…