Faith Friends Ministry Coordinator

JOB DESCRIPTION FOR COORDINATOR OF FAITH FRIENDS MINISTRY

The Faith Friends program provides faith formation, sacramental preparation, fellowship, and opportunities ministry engagement within the parish for children ages 7-18 with intellectual, physical, and/or cognitive disabilities (the “Faith Friends”).  These opportunities are provided via a mentor model based on the teachings of Deacon Larry Sutton, wherein teen volunteers (the “Faith Mentors”) are paired with Faith Friends for the journey.  There is also an adult team of volunteers (“Faith Peers”) that support the program in various ways but the primary one-to-one interactions are peer-based between the Faith Mentor and Faith Friend.  This program provides opportunities for participants to experience multiple facets and aspects of teaching, learning, and faith development, as well as, exposure to various parish ministries.

The Faith Friends program is part of the larger Children’s Faith Formation (CFF) Program which serves children from Pre-k to 8^th grade with faith formation classes, sacramental preparation, youth fellowship and celebrations,  and youth Masses.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Implements the Faith Friends program at the parish level in coordination with the Archdiocese of Seattle Inclusion Ministry.

Works with staff at the parish including – Pastoral Assistant for Children’s Faith Formation and Liturgy department, in support of the Children’s Faith Formation and Faith Friends program goals.

Overall Program Management:

• Maintain Faith Friends enrollment rosters and emergency contact information.
• Coordinates safe environment compliance of Teen volunteers and adult team members (Faith Mentors and Faith Peers) in the Faith Friends program.
• Supports and coordinates attendance and participation of Faith Peers, Faith Mentors, and Faith Friends.
• Monitors to ensure sufficient number of Faith Peers are available and present at each meeting per Safe Environment standards.
• Coordinates training, resources, gathering space, and supplies for Faith Mentors.
• Works with Archdiocese Inclusion Ministry to ensure teen mentors have the adaptive curriculum and appropriate resources.
• Work with the Pastoral Assistant for Children’s Faith Formation to order materials and supplies for Faith Friends program.
• Works with Parish staff and Facilities personnel to ensure that rooms used are reserved, unlocked and locked after program meetings.
• Coordinate Sacraments for Faith Friends: (First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation):

Meet with the families to inform and guide while managing expectations for participation in Sacramental preparation.

Prepare materials and coordinate retreats for Faith Friends receiving Sacraments.

Work with Parish Staff on Sacramental celebrations including appropriate adaptions and modifications for Faith Friends to receive Sacraments

Coordinate preparation letters from Faith Mentors to the Sacramental Celebrant (Clergy: i.e. Pastor, Bishop, Archbishop) that explain the Faith Friend’s disability, adaptions, and modifications; and coordinating the transmittal of same.

Effectively carry out the administrative tasks associated with the position:

Manage Faith Friends resources and supplies.

Provide a weekly email (and other communications) to all Faith Friends participants about meetings and events.

Work with parish staff to ensure proper documentation is provided for registering Faith Friend’s Sacraments within the registry (books) of the corresponding parish

Be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church.

Attend Sunday Mass and attend/support monthly Youth First Sunday Masses and Youth First Sunday Hospitality in-person on a regular basis at St. James Cathedral.

Maintain an appropriate and current level of knowledge and skills attendant to functioning as a Coordinator of Faith Friends Ministry while coordinating with the Archdiocese Inclusion Ministry.

Any offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data, applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications.

Benefits: Eligible positions receive a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and disability, long term disability, pension, 403(b), HSA, FSA, and generous sick leave, vacation and holidays.

Salary : $25 - $27