Senior Coordinator for Children and Family Ministry

Job Details

Description

The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 216 parishes in Cook County and Lake County, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 13,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region's largest nonprofit social service agency. The Archdiocese also has one of the country's largest seminaries. The Archdiocese's 154 elementary and secondary schools comprise one of the largest U.S. private school systems. Its schools have received 96 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards.

Implements and assists in the design of innovative and strategic approaches to engaging, forming, and accompanying children, families with children and parish catechists under the Renew My Church initiative, including initiatives related to religious education, sacramental preparation and the formation of parents of children. Works in collaboration with the senior coordinator team to set and execute strategies to identify, train, support and resource ministers in realizing the vision of the Archdiocese of Chicago for an engaged, evangelizing, and revitalized Church of disciples that transform their communities through witness to the love of Jesus.

Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements a practical vision for the formation and enrichment of families with school age children, including strategies for recruiting, forming, and supporting parents as catechists.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of pilot approaches to catechetical formation of children and their families that is inclusive of both kerygmatic and formational moments, as well as invitation and opportunity for missionary outreach.
• Serves as a high-level parish contact on matters related to child and family faith formation and archdiocesan catechetical and sacramental policies.
• Develops and pilots approaches that invites and accompanies parents in ongoing formation in alignment with the principles and priorities of the Renew My Church
• Collaborates with the Senior Coordinator Team to ensure the support and formation of parish Directors of Lifelong Formation, CREs, catechists and other ministers forming the next generation of Catholics.
• Communicates priorities and directives of the Office of Lifelong Formation and Department of Parish Vitality and Mission to members of the ministry team and coordinates integration into planning and implementation of initiatives.
• Conducts needs analysis, assesses and makes determinations as to the ministry needs and challenges and manages alignment and integration of these needs with the other ministries.
• Provides subject matter expertise on Children’s Ministries with all Archdiocesan agencies and with inter-departmental initiatives.
• Fosters a spirit of creativity, collaboration, professionalism, and accountability among members of the Children’s ministry team.
• Contributes to determinations about the Children’s Ministry
• Provides support for the parish catechetical and formational programs, including facilitator recruitment, development and resourcing.
• Designs, coordinates and conducts necessary trainings, particularly for formation ministers participating in ministry team pilots.
• Leads and participates in committees, projects, or initiatives as directed by Office of Lifelong Formation or Department of Parish Vitality and Mission.
• Increases skills and knowledge through continuing education, attending conferences and reading appropriate literature.
• May be given other assignments and projects consistent with the responsibility level of this position.

Qualifications