Position Summary:
The Regional Director of Faith Formation and Discipleship oversees the comprehensive faith formation and discipleship efforts at multiple parishes in a localized geographical area within the Diocese of Greensburg. The Regional Director provides leadership to assist the parish communities in building a solid foundation in adult spirituality, Christian discipleship, children’s catechesis, and youth ministry through a variety of processes.
The position is full-time, exempt. The ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends, is necessary to succeed in this position.
The position reports to the Managing Director of Faith, Family, and Discipleship at the Diocese of Greensburg and works collaboratively with multiple pastors, clergy, and parish communities. The Managing Director of the Office of Faith, Family, and Discipleship will provide essential supervision and collaboration in the establishment of this regional position to meet the Bishop’s vision of a creative, experiential faith formation and discipleship process that is in line with the mission, moral, and social teachings, doctrines, and laws of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Regional Director will have office and storage space at multiple locations.
Regular Responsibilities:
- Design catechetical programs which support lifelong faith formation and discipleship.
- Conducts needs assessments in each of the parish locations.
- Integrates insights from current catechetical literature, especially the Directory for Catechesis and the various exhortations of Pope Francis, into program planning.
- Develops goals, objectives, and strategies for the total faith formation program, which includes multiple engaging models (kerygmatic, catechumenal, experiential, intergenerational, family, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, etc.).
- Articulates a vision/direction for the regional faith formation program.
- Pursues further education and professional development.
- Develops a coordinated approach toward total parish faith formation, i.e. faith development through catechesis on all levels.
- Designs catechetical programs which meet the needs of the multiple parish communities.
- Recruits, trains, supervises and evaluates catechists and support staff from all parish locations.
- Maintains relationships with the pastors, other parish staff of the various parishes, other regional catechetical staff, and the Diocesan Office of Faith, Family, and Discipleship.
- Develops individual programs for parishioners with special religious education needs.
- Is responsible for fulfilling all diocesan requirements regarding faith formation programs (e.g., number of contact hours with students, implementation of Safe Environment requirements for catechists and students).
- Is responsible for the acquisition and maintenance of materials and equipment necessary for the various programs.
- Directs the implementation of ongoing management of the parishes’ faith formation program.
- Identifies and enables leadership within the various parish communities to take responsibility for program components.
- Adjusts program components (space, time, materials, and physical resources) as needed, utilizing all locations within the region.
- Creates and monitors a budget (income and revenue allocation) for the operations of the program.
- Obtains resources (AV, textbooks, liturgy materials) that complement the faith formation efforts in the parish.
- Negotiates for space and other physical environment requirements.
- Coordinates liturgical/sacramental functions for sacramental preparation components at multiple parish locations.
- Communicates with participants, parents, and parish communities to keep them informed of faith formation efforts.
- Evaluates the faith formation program of the region in relation to the goals, objectives, and strategies.
- Conducts program evaluations at all levels and locations.
- Collates evaluation information and gives feedback to appropriate groups.
- Adjusts faith formation program in relation to parish feedback and current diocesan guidelines.
- Meets with coordinators of programs to elicit further information regarding evaluation and future planning.
Programs of Responsibility:
The Regional Director of Faith Formation and Discipleship will oversee the total formation and discipleship efforts of multiple parishes. Because of the scope of the job description, delegation of certain programs to trained staff or volunteers will be necessary for success. The areas of oversight will include:
- Elementary Faith Formation (including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd)
- High School Faith Formation
- Youth Ministry
- Sacramental Preparation (Infant Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation)
- Christian Initiation
- Vacation Bible School
- Small Christian Communities
- Adult Formation
- Marriage Catechumenate
- Training and Ongoing Formation of Catechists
Minimum Qualifications:
The Regional Director of Faith Formation and Discipleship must be a practicing Catholic in good standing and a registered member of a Catholic parish faith community. The Regional Director must possess the ability to respect, promote, accommodate, and not be in conflict with the mission, moral, and social teachings, doctrines, and laws of the Roman Catholic Church. In addition, the Regional Director of Faith Formation and Discipleship is expected to have the following qualifications:
- MA in Theology or Religious Education or related field (BA will be considered with 5 years of commensurate experience in leading and developing creative parish or diocesan faith formation processes).
- 3 years experience as a parish catechetical leader or equivalent position.
- Familiarity with the Directory for Catechesis and other magisterial documents, including the exhortations of Pope Francis, Co-Workers in the Vineyard, and Renewing the Vision.
- Familiarity with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (certification in CGS preferred).
- Familiarity with various models of catechetical formation for adults, youth, and children.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to drive to multiple locations with self-provided reliable transportation.
- Must successfully pass Criminal Background Checks and complete Safe Environment requirements for the Diocese of Greensburg and sustain this clearance.
Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Diocese of Greensburg offers generous health, vision, and dental benefits. The Diocese of Greensburg also offers 15 paid holidays annually, paid vacation and sick time, and a matching 403b retirement plan.
Resume with cover letter should be directed to Human Resources, Diocese of Greensburg, 723 E. Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg, PA 15601 or electronically at [email protected]. Resumes will be accepted until June 30, 2023.