Parish Director of Religious Education

Parish Director of Religious Education/Parish Catechetical Leader (DRE/PCL)

The DRE/PCL is responsible for overseeing the implementation of religious curriculum and building the faith community of the parish through the children and families. The DRE/PCL works closely with the pastor, the parish staff, an assistant, parents and a team of volunteers who teach the children in the classroom.

The DRE/PLC will be responsible for K through 10 grade and Adult Faith Formation.

Start Date
As soon as possible. The person could start in November or January.

Please email the resume,
[email protected]

For more information and details about the position and location
[email protected]

A preferred candidate:
Bilingual and be able to minister to Spanish-speaking families.

Academic Qualifications:
The DRE/PLC should possess a master's degree as a minimum requirement, preferably a degree in religious education, theology, scripture, or pastoral ministry.

The Role of the DRE/PCL

Evangelizer and Catechist:
-To enthusiastically proclaim the Gospel and draw people of the parish into a real and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ.
-To identify where people are within their walk of faith and understand how to consistently draw them into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.
-To live a life of Christian witness.
-To know and understand the Catholic faith so as to clearly articulate, clarify and communicate what the Church teaches and believes.

Advocate:
-To listen to the parish community in order to identify their needs, desires, struggles, and passions.
-To speak on behalf of the parish community in trying to meet catechetical needs.
-To facilitate and cultivate catechetical leadership with the community.
-To help the parish understand and express its catechetical goals.
-To work with coordinators, administrators, principals, youth ministers, and other parish staff members in the development of parish catechetical vision, programs and structures. To participate in the liturgical life of the Parish
-To strengthen the bond between catechesis and liturgy
-To strengthen the bond between catechesis and the everyday life of the parish
-To strengthen the bond between the parish catechetical efforts and the local community

Administrator:
-To understand and be faithful to diocesan policies/procedures and directives.
-To develop and/or work with the parish educational committee of the parish council on goals and objectives for parish catechesis.
-To annually review the catechetical goals and objectives of the parish in reference to the past year and planning for the upcoming catechetical year.
-To maintain records and files (i.e., background checks, permission forms, emergency cards, registrations, etc).
-To develop and maintain the parish curriculum making sure it meets parish catechetical goals.
-To supervise catechists and the implementation of the curriculum.
To develop catechetical formation programs for catechists.
-To review and evaluate current catechetical materials and textbooks.
-To implement diocesan catechetical policies and procedures.
-To act as a resource regarding any parish catechetical activity.
-To participate in parish staff meetings.
-To plan and facilitate parish catechetical staff meetings.
-To plan and facilitate information meetings for parish catechists, parents, etc. To recruit qualified catechists.
-To plan for and maintain the parish Religious Education budget.

Qualifications DRE/PLC
-To fulfill the ministry of a DRE/PLC, an applicant must first possess certain basic qualities, skills, and academic requirements.

Personal Qualities:
-Committed to Christ and His Church
Well-balanced in his/her personal life, possessing maturity, prudence, patience, tact, optimism, and cheerfulness.
-Sincerely desirous of engaging in the ministry of parish catechesis.
-Sensitive to different needs within the parish community.
-Capable of relating to people, respecting differences, flexible, open to new insights and directions, and able to effectively communicate his/her ideas.
Skills:

The DRE/PLC should have expertise in organization skills, administration, program development, and evaluation, along with the ability to train and maintain volunteers with vision and enthusiasm.