Director of Faith Formation

Church of the Immaculate Conception, Towson, MD, seeks candidates for Director of Faith Formation. The Director of Faith Formation reports to and works closely with the Pastor and is responsible for the all the faith formation programs of the parish. The DFF has a thorough understanding of the Mission and Tradition of the Catholic Church and the charism of the Church of the Immaculate Conception and works to ensure that all ages and states of life receive solid Catholic formation.

The DFF is part of the Leadership Team and reports to the Director of Parish Operations with regard to performance evaluation, benefits, budget, etc. The DFF will be responsible for supervising and hiring and supporting staff members as the Faith Formation Program grows.

Essential Functions

Baptism Preparation

• Ensure that all expecting mothers are invited to prepare for their children to be baptized.
• Schedule regular opportunities for the blessing of expecting mothers.
• Provide an intake package including expectations.
• Schedule regular opportunities for a baptism preparation class for first time parents and godparents.
• Collect necessary information prior to scheduling the baptism.
• Proficient in Sacramental record-keeping and able to assist the Parish Secretary with related administrative tasks, such as creating certificates, entering information in logs, etc.

First Penance & First Communion Preparation

• Ensure all parents of children at the age of reason (usually second grade) are made aware of the preparation program for these sacraments.
• Oversee a formation program that engages not only the children but the parents.
• Schedule and coordinate a parents’ information session.
• Schedule and coordinate group formation sessions for children and parents.
• Schedule and coordinate opportunities to receive the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion, in that order.
• Collect necessary information prior to agreeing to admit children to the sacraments. 

Confirmation Preparation

• Ensure all parents of children at who have not been confirmed are made aware of the preparation program for this sacraments.
• Oversee a formation program that engages not only the children but the parents.
• Schedule and coordinate a parents’ information session.
• Schedule and coordinate group formation sessions for children and parents.
• Schedule and coordinate opportunities to receive the sacrament of Penance.
• Schedule and coordinate a one-day pilgrimage activity at the beginning and end of the formation program.
• Collect necessary information prior to agreeing to admit children to the sacrament.
• Schedule and coordinate the visit of the bishop to administer the sacrament of Confirmation, including necessary rehearsal (usually same day).

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults

• Serve as a resource to all who are interested in entering into full communion with the Catholic Church.
• Provide adequate opportunities for inquiry.
• Schedule and coordinate formation evenings based on the Symbolon series, available on FORMED.org.
• Schedule and coordinate all preparatory rites, including the Rites of Welcoming, Election, Scrutinies, etc.
• Schedule and coordinate a retreat prior to the Easter Vigil.
• Schedule and coordinate opportunities for Confession for those who are already baptized.
• Schedule and coordinate a rehearsal prior to the Easter Vigil.
• Schedule and coordinate the period of mystagogy.
• Provide continuing education opportunities as necessary/able.

Order of Christian Initiation of Children who have reached Catechetical Age

• Adapt formation program to families who have children (under the age of 18) who seek full communion with the Catholic Church.
• Ensure all elements of formation, including liturgical rites, are addressed for each family.

Youth Faith Formation

• Implement family catechesis program for grades K-8, evaluating needs for catechists, schedule, and meetings.
• Provide formation for catechists (as necessary).
• Develop small groups for high school students.
• Provide formation for mentors of small groups.
• Schedule and coordinate large group activities for high school and middle school students, respectively.

Adult Faith Formation

• Provide opportunities for adult formation complementary to the above programs, such as bible studies.

Marriage Preparation

• Serve as a resource to couples in the parish for information regarding preparing for the sacrament of marriage.
• Maintain, in cooperation with the Pastor and Director of Parish Operations and Director of Liturgical Services, the parish’s wedding policy.
• Offer regular opportunities for couples to learn about the parish’s preparation program.
• Ensure that couples working with a priest (parish or visiting) have access to all the materials of the Witness to Love marriage preparation program.
• Schedule and provide feedback for the Prepare-Enrich Marriage Inventory.
• Ensure marriage file is completed.
• Schedule wedding and rehearsal in compliance with Archdiocesan and Parish policy.

General Responsibilities

• Works for the evangelization and catechesis of all members of the parish.
• Supervise support staff and administrative assistant who will maintain records and communications for all volunteers, parents, candidates, and participants
  involved in Faith Formation activities.
• Manages budget for all areas of formation.
• Attends parish staff meetings.
• Collaborates with school principal and faculty.
• Maintains regular office hours.
• Is available to parishioners to address their needs.

Position Qualifications

Skills/Knowledge and Abilities

• Practicing Catholic, able to fully participate in the sacramental life of the Church.
• Desire for the salvation of all parishioners.
• Excellent planning and organizational capabilities, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to direct, form, and manage volunteer staff.
• Ability to discern situations requiring special accommodations.
• Ability to deal patiently with difficult situations.

Education/Training

• Bachelor’s degree in religious education, Theology or a related field is preferred.
• Ministry experience in lieu of education will be considered.
• Five (5) or more years of experience in developing and providing faith formation or religious education in a parish setting.

Pay Range:  $70,000 - 90,000, Annualized

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package with this position, including health, dental, and vision coverage; employer-paid life and disability insurance; automatic enrollment in the 403(b) plan and employer contribution (whether or not the employee contributes); and generous paid holiday, sick and vacation leave. Please click on the link below for more detailed information:

https://www.archbalt.org/human-resources/employee-benefits/employee-benefits/

Salary : $70,000 - $90,000