What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director / Coordinator of Religious Education position at Archdiocese of Philadelphia?
PLEASE NOTE: FOR THIS POSITION YOU SHOULD NOT APPLY VIA THIS SYTEM BUT RATHER SUBMIT YOUR RESUME DIRECTLY TO THE PARISH OR AGENCY AS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POSTING (HIGHLIGHTED IN RED), OTHERWISE YOUR APPLICATION MAY NOT BE SUBMITTED TO THE APPROPRIATE PARTY. THANK YOU.
Job Title: Director/Coordinator of Religious Education
Job Status: Permanent/Full Time (12 month position)
Contact: Monsignor John Eckert, Pastor
E-Mail: HOLYTRINITYRCC@AOL.COM
Job Description:
The position of Director of Religious Education (D.R.E./C.R.E.) is a full-time, 12-month position. The Director/Coordinator of Religious Education must be a practicing Catholic, in good standing with the Church. Furthermore, he/she is a person of prayer, committed to personally living and actively sharing the authentic teachings of Jesus and His Catholic Church.
The Director/Coordinator of Religious Education reports directly to the Pastor. As a member of the parish administrative staff, the Director/Coordinator works with other staff members, our Catholic School faculty and staff, and the parish families to foster and maintain a working environment where worship, prayer, and enthusiastic learning of our faith are the primary motivators.
The DRE/CRE is a professional catechetical leader who assists children and adolescents of the parish in their faith formation. As such, he/she will obtain and maintain Catechetical Certification according to the policy set out by the Archdiocesan Office for Catechetical Formation.
The responsibilities of the Director/Coordinator of Religious Education include, but are not limited to:
1. Parish Religious Education Program
The primary responsibility of the Director/Coordinator of Religious Education is to administer (design, develop, direct, communicate and evaluate) the Parish Religious Education Program (P.R.E.P.) for the parish approximately 100 children and youth who attend public or non-Catholic private schools. He/She:
- Oversees the development of the Parish Religious Education Program from Grade 1 through Grade 7, in conformity with the guidelines of the Office for Catechetical Formation of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
- Implements and adheres to all Archdiocesan policies, procedures and directives from the Archdiocesan Office for Catechetical formation
- Administrates and is present at all Parish Religious Education Program activities, which include regular obligations on weekday evenings and occasional obligations on weekends.
- Maintains a regular schedule of office hours to facilitate student enrollment and to support parents and guardians
- Schedules faith formation opportunities for children and their parents within the Religious Education Program calendar
- Provides access and inclusion for children with special learning needs
- Evaluates and requisitions resources (textbooks, audiovisual materials, liturgical worship-aids, reference works, etc.) which complement the religious education efforts of the parish
- Recruits, orients and provides ongoing professional training and spiritual development for the Parish Religious Education Program's volunteer catechists
- Encourages and assists the Parish Religious Education Program's catechists to obtain Catechetical Certification according to the policy set out by the Archdiocesan Office for Catechetical Formation
- Belongs to the Archdiocesan Association of Parish Directors, Coordinators and Administrators of Religious Education (PDCARE) and attends monthly meetings sponsored by the Archdiocesan Office for Catechetical Formation
- Participates in Archdiocesan sponsored events for Parish Directors/Coordinators of Religious Education, such as the Catechist Convocation, Fall and Spring Professional Days, and Retreats
- Participates in the Parish Staff and Parish Team meetings; works collaboratively with other members
2. Sacramental Program
The Director/Coordinator of Religious Education oversees the coordination and sacramental preparation of parish school-age candidates who attend the Parish Religious Education Program and the Parish Catholic School. He/She:
- Schedules at the Pastor's directives dates for First Penance and First Holy Communion
- Schedules and coordinates the sacramental preparation meetings for parents of candidates for the Sacraments of First Penance, First Holy Communion and Confirmation
- Obtains and organizes all documents required for the celebration and proper recording of the Sacraments of First Penance, First Holy Communion and Confirmation
- Sees to the prompt and complete recording of all candidates' Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation in the Parish Sacramental Registers
- Prepares and coordinates retreat days for First Communion and Confirmation candidates
- Prepares, with the Pastor or his delegate, the Sacred Liturgy for the Sacraments of First Penance, First Holy Communion and Confirmation
- Schedules and coordinates practice sessions with the candidates in anticipation of the Liturgies for the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation
- Schedules Advent and Lenten Penance Services with the opportunity for individual confessions for the Parish Religious Education children and children of the Parish School
- Creates and oversees, in coordination with the Pastor, catechetical plans for non-baptized children as well as those who having been baptized in other Christian churches, seek to be received into the Catholic Church
- Works in collaboration with the Catholic school principal and teachers in planning school liturgies
Additionally, the Director/Coordinator of Religious Education must be competent in the use of Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint as well as appropriate social media platforms (such as Facebook). He/she prepares and distributes program materials and responds to all correspondence in a manner that is technologically current, professional and prompt.
Qualifications
· Master's or Bachelor's in Theology, Religious Studies, Education, or acceptable equivalent
· Excellent Leadership and Supervisory skills
· Preference for experience in coordinating a program of Religious Education or other parish work experience
· Experience in educational administration or professional education will also be considered
Salary and Benefits
Determined in accordance with the Archdiocesan Pastor's Guidelines for DRE/CRE Salaries. Full benefits will be provided.
Qualified and interested candidates please send your resume and cover letter to the Pastor at the e-mail address noted above. Clearances will be required as well as other documentation if the position is offered.
If the position is offered, the candidate will be required to complete the "Protecting God's Children" training through the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Additional information regarding this training can be found HERE.