Director of Youth Ministry
Location: St. Margaret Mary Parish, Naperville, IL (100% on-site)
Reports to: Pastor
Employment type: Full-Time, Benefited
Normal working hours:
General Office Hours M-F 10am-6pm, with some flexibility
Some evenings and weekends required for YM events
Who We Are
As a Catholic church located in the Diocese of Joliet, St. Margaret Mary Parish exists in order to help people experience new life in Christ! Each staff member and volunteer brings a unique set of skills, talents and gifts to build up our vibrant community. If you want to join us on this exciting mission, we want to hear from you!
What You'll Love
The Director of Youth Ministry (DYM) is responsible for developing and ensuring the success of an innovative four-year youth ministry program, where the high school youth of our parish:
Encounter Jesus as a real, Living Person, and know they are welcome, known, and loved.
Grow in their relationship with Jesus and understand the fundamental teachings of the Catholic faith - what we believe and why it matters.
Feel empowered to live out the Catholic faith as they grow in virtue, discover their vocation, and serve others like Jesus.
What You'll Do
The DYM is committed and passionate about creating an engaging youth faith formation program to accompany our high school students through the conversion journey, and ultimately become disciples of Jesus Christ.
The DYM is a constant student of generational trends and developments, and will develop and evaluate strategies for reaching an ever-changing generation of teenagers.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
The DYM creates an engaging, relationship-based youth ministry program that includes effective opportunities for the youth to have powerful encounters with the real, Living Person of Jesus Christ.
The DYM will form a Youth Ministry Team (YMT) of adult role models, who have demonstrated to be disciples of Christ, to help maintain a fruitful, mission-driven youth ministry program and to help teach and mentor the youth.
To help the youth continue to grow in Christ, the DYM provides both structured and creative opportunities to learn about the fundamental teachings of our Catholic faith - what we believe and why it matters - and to address their spiritual needs.
As the youth continue to grow in their relationship with Christ, the DYM fosters opportunities for the youth to feel empowered to serve others as Jesus did and calls each of us to do.
All staff members are expected to adhere to our SMMP Core Values especially the DYM as the leading role model and mentor for the youth.
What You'll Need
Undergraduate or Graduate degree in Ministry, Theology or Catechesis.
Proven track record of successful relationship building with the youth, specifically in ministry.
Experience working in a Catholic church setting is a plus.
Experience in planning and facilitating youth activities, retreats, and events.
Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
Continual formation in the truths of the Catholic faith.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Must be a practicing Roman Catholic in good standing and must know, profess, and act consistently in accordance with the doctrinal and moral teachings of the Catholic Church.
Must support the mission, philosophy, objectives and policies of the Catholic Church and the Diocese of Joliet, and be open to prayer & faith sharing in all aspects of work.
General office hours are M-F 10am-6pm, though there is flexibility. Some evenings and weekends required for YM events.
Compensation & Benefits
Full-time employees receive generous benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance; two weeks paid vacation per year; additional paid federal and liturgical holidays; and pension & 403B retirement plan as per Diocesan/Parish personnel policy.
Opportunity to work in a hospitable, joyful, and vibrant community.
If you are interested in applying for this position, please send a resume and cover letter to Matthew Ernst at mernst@smmp.com. No phone calls, please.