Adult Faith Formation Coordinator

Margaret Mary; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Saint William Parish in Austin, TX seeks a full-time Adult Faith Formation Coordinator to lead evangelization and formation efforts for adults in English and Spanish. You will collaborate with the director of evangelization and staff to create a responsive ministry of formation that leads to the sacraments and a fuller Catholic life.

The role requires coordinating catechists, developing programs, and ensuring proper sacramental preparation while maintaining reverence and spiritual formation

Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master’s Degree in Theology, Religious Education, Pastoral Ministry, or related field from an accredited American university or equivalent.
• Three to five years of full-time parish experience working with adults.
• Bilingual English-Spanish (proficient in writing, reading, conversing and presenting).
• Must be a practicing Roman Catholic in good standing.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; working knowledge of Ministry Platform and website tools.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate outreach and evangelization of adults within parish boundaries by welcoming, dialoguing, and discerning with inquirers into a formation program that leads to the sacraments and full Catholic life.
• Lead goals and strategies for adult faith formation in line with Church documents.
• Assist parish staff and organizations to plan programs for adult formation within established settings.
• Form and direct catechists in Christian initiation and form the parish community in line with OCIA.
• Collaborate with parish structures for ongoing formation for catechumens, candidates, and neophytes.
• Adapt initiation procedures to catechumen needs while upholding OCIA vision and principles.
• Coordinate sacramental preparation and liaise with liturgist regarding adult Confirmation and infant baptisms.
• Ensure reverent sacramental processes and development of an individual life of prayer.
• Review catechetical materials to support formation.
• Organize classes and catechists for infant baptism and preparation content.
• Oversee recruitment and formation of volunteers for English and Spanish AFF programs.
• Plan and promote an annual calendar of adult programming including spiritual healing.
• Promote service and outreach opportunities in collaboration with the Volunteer Office.
• Conduct program evaluations and parish-wide assessments of AFF opportunities.

Skills

Bilingual English-Spanish

Microsoft Office

Ministry Platform

Education

Bachelor or Master’s Degree in Theology/Religious Education

Tools

Ministry Platform

Job description

Description

Job Summary:

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to coordinating adult sacramental preparation programs in English and Spanish (OCIA) as well as the healing programs and ministry, providing spiritual and professional formation for catechists and volunteers, and working closely with the director of evangelization to increase parish devotions and discipleship.

The position reports to the director of evangelization and operates under some supervision with latitude for the use of independent judgment and initiative.

Ministerial Character

As beloved sons and daughters of God, we, the parish of Saint William, are called to proclaim, by word and deed, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. By the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the grace of the Sacraments, we endeavor to lead all souls to heaven by fostering spiritual healing and equipping all people for the work of ministry. We are a vibrant, growing parish seeking a full-time Adult Faith Formation Coordinator who is a strong servant leader with the ability to work creatively in a fast-paced environment. The Adult of Faith Formation Coordinator will use this position to strengthen and uphold the Pastor’s vision and become an effective member of the Saint William staff.

Requirements

Essential Job Duties:

• Collaborates with the director of evangelization and the Saint William staff and coordinates the outreach and evangelization of adults who live within the parish boundaries by welcoming and encouraging, dialoguing, and discerning with interested inquirers into a well-developed and responsive ministry of formation that leads to the sacraments and full Catholic life.
• Leads the parish to shape its goals and strategies for adult faith formation according to the vision of On Evangelization in a Modern World and Our Hearts Were Burning within Us.
• Assists parish staff, groups, and organizations to identify opportunities, acquire resources and plan formats and programs for adult formation within their established settings and ministries.
• Forms and directs catechists in the roles required for Christian initiation and forms the parish community, by fostering the catechesis concerning the ministry of Christian initiation and its role in it by being familiar with the vision and methods of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.
• Collaborates with parish structures and ministries that serve an ongoing ministry for inquirers, year-round formation for catechumens and candidates, and mystagogical ministry for neophytes.
• Adapts initiation procedures to the needs and conditions of the catechumen while maintaining the vision and principles of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, including the readiness of the catechumen as described in the OCIA book. Collaborates with liturgist in preparing the various special Rites of Christian initiation, including First Penance for candidates and neophytes, sacramental preparation for Baptized Catholics.
• Coordinates and oversees sacramental preparation and collaborates with the liturgist regarding adult Confirmation and infant baptisms.
• Executes working knowledge of canonical and sacramental policies and assures candidates are properly disposed to receive the sacraments with reverence and devotion.
• Assures that a prayerful spirit prevails throughout the sacramental process and that candidates are formed in liturgical and other communal forms of prayer as well as developing an individual life of prayer.
• Reviews and utilizes sound and comprehensive catechetical materials to support formation.
• Organizes and oversees the classes and catechists for parents and godparents for infant baptism. Makes sure content is doctrinally sound and creates an opportunity for parents to re-engage with the Church through the baptism of their child.
• Oversee the recruitment of catechists for adult formation and provides continuity and support, ensuring that formation includes sound doctrinal formation offered by well-trained catechists.
• Recruits and forms volunteers for the different programs offered for Adult Faith Formation in both English and Spanish (in coordination with the Ministry Life Office). Able to delegate tasks to volunteers, having sufficiently prepared them for the task they are to fulfill or program they are to lead.
• Plans and promotes an annual calendar of adult programming, including on the topic of spiritual healing.
• Promote service and outreach opportunities, including reflection on experience--in collaboration with the Volunteer Office
• Conducts program evaluations and parish-wide assessments to determine effectiveness of AFF opportunities and refine efforts.
• Provides required record keeping and correspondence in regard to the recording of sacramental records and faith formation programs, as well as maintaining accurate files on adults participating in the faith formation programs. Inputs sacramental data into Ministry Platform and prints certificates in addition to recording them in the sacramental registers.
• Attends, participates and prepares for, but is not limited to staff, department meetings etc. Provides all information requested with transparency and a spirit of accountability.
• Capable of balancing time and prioritizing several tasks and projects simultaneously. Manages time by being self-motivated, taking initiative, and creating feasible schedules and deadlines for responsibilities. Maintains a work schedule and full-time attendance according to parish handbook.
• Willing to adapt work schedule to include evenings and weekends when needed.
• Seeks to improve personal and leadership skills and abilities through formation and professional development.
• Adhere to all copyright laws for publications, music, and media and assures that licensing requirements of such media is acquired
• Participates in the local and national church, as well as professional organization as budget and time allows with priority being given to Saint William.
• Ensure Diocesan policy is followed and executed in all areas of adult ministry especially as applies to Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM). Provide accurate and updated data of EIM compliant adults.
• Pray for 30 minutes a day.
• All other duties assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Roman Catholic teachings, parish and diocesan structure.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural parish serving various cultures and a wide range of age groups.
• Ability to provide exceptional communication and work effectively with staff, clergy, and laity.
• Ability to build authentic relationships with adults rooted in Christ as well as reach those just beginning their faith journey.
• Ability to work independently, taking initiative to respond to observed needs and to learn whatever may be needed to fulfill responsibilities, as well as a team player, providing ideas for improvement and growth and receiving feedback with openness.
• Ability to operate various word-processing software, spreadsheets, and database programs to manage and organize large amounts of data.
• Ability to create simple but attractive flyers for events and programs in both English and Spanish
• Ability to organize, prioritize and utilize effective time management techniques.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Ability to carry out and prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines, implementing creative solutions.
• Ability to follow instructions furnished in verbal or written format.
• Ability to proficiently communicate in English and Spanish (writing, reading, conversing and teaching/presenting).

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor or Master’s Degree (preferred) in Theology, Religious Education, Pastoral Ministry, or a related field of study from an accredited American university or equivalent in a foreign country.
• Three to five years of full-time wage-earning experience working in a parish and working with adults.
• Bilingual English-Spanish (proficient in writing, reading, conversing and teaching/presenting).
• Must be a practicing Roman Catholic in good standing.
• Proficient in Microsoft® Office, working knowledge of (or ability to learn) Ministry Platform and website tools preferred. Some familiarity with workflow programs would be helpful but not required.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Valid Texas driver's license.

Working Conditions:

• All employees of the Parish are engaged in ministry and closely tied to the Pastor in the exercise of his ministry and obligations to the church.
• The Parish is an at-will employer.
• All buildings and vehicles owned by the Parish are tobacco free.
• Working in a fast-paced environment with priorities and plans that may change rapidly.
• Working on weekends, evenings, and some holidays may be required.
• Will be exposed to religious ceremonies, conduct, and speech, including Roman Catholic Christian prayer and liturgical celebrations.
• Will be required to adhere to established dress codes and conduct standards.
• May be required to use personal or parish vehicle to drive to off‑site locations.
• Travelling within and outside the parish to meetings and other events may be required, and travel may require overnight lodging.