COORDINATOR / DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION JOB DESCRIPTION
St. Madeline Parish 110 Park St. Ridley Park, PA 19078
The position of Director/Coordinator of Religious Education (DRE or CRE) is full-time, about 24-30 hours weekly, 12 months a year. The Director of Religious Education must be a practicing Catholic, in good standing with the Church. Additionally, he/she is a person of prayer who is committed to the authentic teaching of the Catholic faith.
The Director/Coordinator of Religious Education reports directly to the pastor. As a member of the parish staff, the Director/Coordinator of Religious Education works with other staff members to foster and maintain a positive working environment where faith, hospitality, and learning are the primary motivators.
The Director/Coordinator of Religious Education is a professional catechetical leader who assists adults, adolescents, and children of the parish in their faith formation. At St. Madeline’s, the Director is responsible for coordinating the Parish's program of religious education and formation for approximately 130 students from ages 3 to 17.
Responsibilities include:
collaborate and meet with the Pastor to discuss matters relating to religious education and sacramental preparation
oversee the development of the Parish Religious Education Program, including both in-person and home-based components, from Grade Level 1 through Grade Level 7, in conformity with the guidelines of the Office for Catechetical Formation of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
prepare the Parish Religious Education Program schedule of in-person classes and activities and submit it to the Pastor for his approval
prepare and distribute the Parish Religious Education Program’s scope and sequence of lesson material for home-based catechesis and evaluate
provide access and inclusion for children with special learning needs
evaluate and requisition resources (textbooks, audiovisual materials, liturgical worship-aids, reference works, etc.) which complement the religious education efforts of the parish
recruit and orient volunteer catechists
participate in the Archdiocesan Association of Parish Directors, Coordinators, and Administrators of Religious Education (PDCARE)
schedule dates for celebrations of First Penance and First Holy Communion, according to the Pastor’s directives
schedule and coordinate the sacramental preparation meetings for parents of school-age candidates for the Sacraments of First Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation
obtain and organize all candidate’s and sponsor’s pertinent documents required for the celebration and proper recording of the Sacraments of First Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation
record all candidates’ Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation in the Parish Sacramental Registers
prepare and coordinate retreat days for students preparing for First Communion and Confirmation
prepare with the Pastor for the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy for the Sacraments of First Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation
schedule and coordinate practice sessions for student candidates in anticipation of the Sacred Liturgies for the Sacraments of First Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation
create and oversee, in coordination with the Pastor, catechetical plans for non-baptized children and teens who seek the reception of full initiation in the Catholic Church through Baptism, Confirmation, and the reception of Holy Communion and those children who having been baptized in other Christian churches seeking to be received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church through the profession of the Catholic Faith and the reception of the Sacraments of Penance, Confirmation, and Holy Communion
create and oversee, in coordination with the Pastor, catechetical plans for baptized Catholic children and teens who have not participated in the typical way in either the Parochial School’s program of catechesis or the Parish Religious Education Program of catechesis, but still desire the continuation or completion of their Christian Initiation through the reception of the Sacraments of Penance, Confirmation, and/or Holy Communion
serve as an ex-officio member of the Parish Pastoral Council and attend meetings several times a year
organize and oversee a summer Vacation Bible School for parish children
communicate regularly with families keeping them updated and informed of program information and inviting them to parish worship events
Please send a cover letter and resume to Christopher Avery at [email protected]