Director of Ministry to Youth

Job Title: Director of Ministry to Youth
Area: Administration, Department Supervision, and Program
Development
Hours: Full Time
Reports to: Pastor, Director of Faith Formation

General Description of this Position:
The Director of Ministry to Youth is responsible for evangelizing and forming the faith of the High School Youth of St. Bernadette Catholic Church by providing a comprehensive youth ministry reflected in Renewing the Vision. This includes attention and a ministry plan for each of the intentional modes offered in Renewing the Vision: Advocacy, Catechesis, Community Life, Evangelization, Justice, Leadership, Pastoral Care and Prayer/Worship.

RCIA Model of Ministry to Youth

Ministry to High School Youth begins as youth transition into 9th grade with a period of INQUIRY and general introduction to the faith, the traditions of the Church, encountering the Word of God, developing a life of prayer, commitment to the Eucharist. Mentors and Sponsors are chosen during this time who will walk with youth throughout the four year cycle.

Preparation for the SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION usually takes about two years at St. Bernadette and includes catechesis, prayer, service and service projects.

Having passed through the lengthy preparation for and celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, youth engage in a period of MYSTEGOGIA, reflection, leadership development, discernment of gifts, mentoring younger youth, more advanced Bible Study, attention to life skills critical in young adult life.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Collaboration Teams

- Inspire, recruit, form, train, lead and support a parish Youth
Ministry Team
- Form, train and support a Youth Leadership Team
- Minister as a member of the Parish Faith Formation Team and
Pastoral Staff
- Sustain ongoing dialogue with the Parish Pastoral Council
- Collaborate and coordinate ministry with Bay Area Deanery Youth
Ministers

2. Advocacy

- Speak to and for youth in the public arena of parish life, school
and community
- Provide and moderate regular and safe listening sessions for
youth and parents to express their voice on issues meaningful to
their lives

3. Catechesis

- Develop and coordinate a comprehensive catechetical program
for all High School Youth in cooperation with the parish Faith
Formation Team
- Engage and Coordinate Youth Ministry Team in the ministry of
catechesis
- Lead weekly Youth Bible Study and Faith Sharing
- Coordinate a Speaker Series on issues of particular meaning to
youth
- Assist in the Sacramental Preparation for Confirmation, as agreed
upon with the Director of Adult Faith Formation

4. Community Life

- Provide a climate with opportunities for safe relational ministry
- Communicate with parents on a regular basis
- Assist and support youth in their forming new friendships among
peers
- Plan events and activities that support the development of a
Community of Youth
- Actively participate and lead youth in parish community events
- Celebrate significant moments in the life of individual youth:
birthdays, graduations, and honors, etc.
- Engage youth in multigenerational programs and services
- Advocate and Encourage participation in the Archdiocesan
Church: Youth Conference, Retreats, Youth Council, Brave the
Wilderness, etc.

5. Evangelization

- Meaningful outreach to youth in the parish community who are
not engaged in regular formation
- Campus presence when and where possible: campus visitation,
school groups, and school events
- Offer small group faith sharing opportunities with attention to
faith development of youth
- Offer regular, personal faith witness among youth and parents

6. Justice

- Regular catechesis and formation for youth in the Social Justice
tradition of The Church
- Assist with Annual Senior Youth Service Projects
- Coordinate regular service events for youth and parents with the
Director of Christian Action
- Act as Lead for Confirmation Service module

7. Leadership

- Mentor Youth leadership development through a Youth
Leadership Team and leadership focused events
- Mentor youth in leadership roles among peers
- Coordinate speaker series that includes leadership skills
development
- Appreciation and recognition of youth community leaders

8. Pastoral Care

- Regular campus visits as allowed by local school districts
- Two annual college campus visits to meet with parish youth
- Regularly scheduled after school office hours for youth and
parents
- Include relationship building, conflict resolution and decision-
making skills in regular formation of youth
- Maintain an appropriate and monitored youth social media
- Coordinate with Director of Christian Action to provide care for
At-Risk Youth and their families
- Sustain a network of local Pastoral Care and Family Counseling
Services to be made available, as needed
- Full and attentive presence during local emergencies and school-
related events

9. Prayer/Worship & Spiritual Life

- Create and facilitate opportunities for youth to grow in their
spiritual journey through retreats, prayer events and faith sharing
- Invite and help youth to pray together
- Coordinate with Director of Spiritual Life opportunities for
spiritual direction
- Coordinate with Director of Spiritual Life presentations on prayer
traditions of the Catholic Church
- Model for youth a love for and fidelity to the Eucharist
- Engage Director of Worship & Music for speaker series on Liturgy
- Engage Director of Worship & Music for seasonal prayer
opportunities
- Inspire, recruit and sponsor Youth Liturgical Ministers

10. Administration and Communication

- Operates within an established budget; monitors and fully
accounts for spending and receipts
- Monitors adult volunteers for compliance with Safe Environment
and general youth ministry policies
- Communicates with and remains updated about Archdiocesan
policies and procedures through adherence to the Youth Ministry
Handbook and attendance at monthly Archdiocesan Youth
Ministry Connect meetings
- Keeps parish staff and community informed of youth ministry
activities and goals
- Familiar with community agencies and resources that interface
with youth

11. Professional and Spiritual Development

- Seeks continuing education and training in fields of youth
ministry and catechesis.
- Works with a spiritual director for personal spiritual growth and
development.
- Participates in at least one personal retreat each year which they
are not personally responsible for planning or leading

12. Necessary Qualifications

- Faithfully practicing Roman Catholic with an active spiritual life
- Fully compliant with Archdiocesan policies and Safe Environment
policies
- Has 3 - 5 years of experience in ministry to youth
- B.A. or M.A. in Religious Education, Catechesis, Theology or
Pastoral Ministry preferred
- Familiarity with social media and Microsoft Office
- Expectation of at least a 40-hour work week with flexibility
according to job needs.
- At least 21 years old with good emotional health
- Continuing education through seminars and conferences within
the Archdiocese
- Team Player
- Must pass background check
- Must complete Safe Haven training
- Other duties as assigned

Please send resume and cover letter to Jason Honeycutt at h[email protected] with the subject line of Youth Ministry.