Director Of Religious Education
Reports to: Pastor
Location: St. George Catholic Church
General Position Summary:
The principal duty of all employees is to assist in the mission of the Church in the Diocese of Fort Worth. The Director of Religious Education (DRE) fulfills the mission of the Catholic Church by overseeing and coordinating all parish faith formation programs in alignment with the vision of the Pastor, the Bishop, and the Department of Catechesis. The DRE provides leadership, direction, and support for all catechetical and sacramental formation activities, ensuring that parishioners of all ages are invited into a deeper relationship with Christ and His Church. The Director develops and implements catechetical programs for children, youth, and adults, supervises volunteer catechists and youth ministers, and ensures that all formation and sacramental preparation programs are consistent with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, diocesan guidelines, and parish pastoral priorities. This is a full-time, ministerial position that requires a bilingual (English and Spanish) Catholic in good standing, who models the faith and demonstrates strong leadership, organization, and collaboration skills.
Principal Accountabilities:- Supports and upholds the philosophy of Catholic education, the mission of St. George Catholic Church, and the directives of the Diocese of Fort Worth.
- Acts as a witness to Gospel values by modeling the teachings of the Catholic Church.
- Supports and adheres to the Code of Conduct and all diocesan and parish policies.
- Abides by the Confidentiality Policy set forth in the Diocese Employee Handbook.
- Oversees, implements, and evaluates all faith formation programs for children, youth, and adults in both English and Spanish.
- Directs and coordinates sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, and RCIA/OCIA for adults and children.
- Provides catechetical training, mentorship, and resources for catechists, volunteers, and ministry leaders.
- Recruits, forms, and supports volunteer catechists and youth ministers in their vocation as teachers of the faith.
- Ensures all catechists, aides, and volunteers maintain Safe Environment certification and compliance with diocesan policies.
- Promotes evangelization and catechesis rooted in the kerygma, fostering lifelong discipleship among parishioners.
- Develops and maintains the parish Religious Education handbook and ensures catechetical curriculum aligns with diocesan standards.
- Plans catechist in-services, retreats, and workshops for ongoing formation and spiritual growth.
- Coordinates with the Pastor and parish staff to integrate faith formation into the overall mission and liturgical life of the parish.
- Maintains communication with families, catechists, and volunteers through regular meetings, email, and parish media.
- Prepares and manages the formation department budget, purchases materials, and monitors expenses in collaboration with the Business Manager.
- Maintains sacramental records and ensures accurate reporting to the parish office and Diocese.
- Organizes annual events such as Catechetical Sunday, retreats, and parish missions.
- Represents St. George at diocesan DRE meetings, workshops, and continuing education opportunities.
- Encourages and assists parishioners in developing a personal relationship with Christ through prayer, study, and service.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the Pastor.
- Supervision Given and/or Received:
- Reports directly to the Pastor.
- Supervises volunteer catechists, aides, and youth ministers involved in parish formation programs.
- Internal Contacts:
- Pastor, parish staff, and volunteers.
- External Contacts:
- Diocesan personnel, catechetical offices, vendors, and other parish communities.
- Working Conditions and/or Physical Requirements:
- Required to work evenings and weekends for catechetical sessions, meetings, and sacramental celebrations.
- Required to manage moderate to high levels of stress and multitasking.
- Required to work in a standard parish office and classroom setting.
- Required to sit, stand, bend, stoop, reach, grab, pull, hear, see, and speak daily.
- Required to lift up to 35 lbs. without assistance and up to 60 lbs. with assistance.
- Required to perform repetitive physical tasks such as computer keyboarding, writing, and reading.
- Required to travel occasionally within the Diocese for workshops, retreats, and training.
- Education and Experience Preferred:
- Practicing Catholic in good standing, fully committed to the teachings of the Church.
- Bachelor's degree in Theology, Catechetics, Religious Education, or related field required; Master's degree preferred.
- Minimum three (3) years of experience in catechetical ministry or parish faith formation leadership.
- Demonstrated experience in catechist formation, sacramental preparation, and program administration.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish required.
- Familiarity with diocesan catechetical norms, Safe Environment policies, and parish ministry structures.
- Knowledge and Skills Preferred:
- Deep understanding of Catholic theology, catechesis, and evangelization in line with the Catechism and Magisterial documents.
- Knowledge of catechetical methods, curriculum development, and family faith formation models.
- Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with diverse groups.
- Ability to recruit, train, and empower volunteers.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with parish staff, clergy, and families.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, parish management software, and digital communication tools.
- Demonstrated adaptability, discretion, and professional judgment.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development and growth in faith.
- FLSA Designation:
- Exempt, Full-Time, On-Site. Hours include evenings, weekends, and parish events as required.
Disclaimer:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice, in support of the mission of the Church and St. George Catholic Church.
