Faith Formation Coordinator

Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange; Garden Grove (CA); On-site; USD 33,062 - 39,950; Full time

Job summary

Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange seeks a Faith Formation Coordinator (English/Spanish) to lead children, youth, and adult sacramental formation. You will manage curriculum, supervise catechists and volunteers, ensure safety training, and coordinate OCIA/Adult Confirmation programs for both English and Spanish-speaking families.

The role requires strong bilingual communication, organizational skills, and collaboration with the Faith Formation team to provide education, outreach, and parish

Qualifications

• Practicing Catholic with faith in daily life.
• Strong English/Spanish communication; public speaking ability.
• Timely completion of assignments and ability to prioritize.
• High commitment and adherence to deadlines.
• Leadership and organizational skills to lead volunteers, catechists, and aides.
• Strict confidentiality and ethics.
• Computer proficiency with commonly used business apps (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook, Google Docs) and Canva.

Responsibilities

• Prepares First Holy Communion Year I & II class syllabus with approved materials.
• Assists OCIA coordinators in syllabus development for OCIA and Adult Confirmation classes.
• Meets with First Holy Communion Catechists to address concerns on topics and teaching methods.
• Attends parish staff, department, and diocesan meetings.
• Acts as a resource for staff in all areas of responsibility.
• Collaborates with Faith Formation Team to provide seamless support.
• Presents ongoing education opportunities, workshops, or spiritual growth to catechists.
• Provides direction, supervision and evaluation of assistants, catechists, volunteers and parents.
• Keeps ministry databases updated for each program/area.
• Maintains timely communication with parents about events using parish channels.
• Ensures safe environment training (Growing with God) is taught by approved catechists.
• Ensures volunteers and catechists are cleared to work with children; enforces compliance.
• Works with catechists to monitor student progress and address attendance/participation issues.
• Oversees recruitment, training, evaluation of adult volunteers; ensures diocesan compliance.
• Liaises with Administrator/Director for budget expenses.
• Regularly presents activities, calendars, lessons, and retreats.
• Plans liturgy/celebration details for First Reconciliation and Holy Communion masses.
• Finalizes Worship Aids for First Reconciliation and Mass rehearsals.
• Supports liturgical ministers and event planning.
• Be present at all First Holy Communion class days and related program events.
• Provides support to parents, OCIA coordinators, and volunteers for questions.
• Ensures classrooms are properly covered and prepared; manages logistics.
• Plans and executes the First Holy Communion half-day retreat; ongoing formation for parents/adults.
• Supports Deacons in OCIA retreats and family ministry initiatives.
• Promotes family ministry and evangelization resources; coordinates with Special Events Team.
• Pursues opportunities to welcome new and less active families into parish programs.
• Keeps records of sermons, resources, and program materials.
• Leads annual VBS planning with Faith Formation Team.
• Coordinates fundraising activities to support Faith Formation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Public speaking

Leadership

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in theology, Religious Studies, Pastoral Ministry, education, or related field/experience

Master Catechist

Tools

PowerPoint

Word

Excel

Outlook

Google Docs

Canva

Job description

POSITION TITLE

Faith Formation Coordinator (English/Spanish Children and Adult Formation)

JOB CLASSIFICATION

Non-Exempt, Full Time

DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM

Faith Formation

REPORTS TO

Director of Faith Formation

SCHEDULE

40 weekly hours

PAY RANGE

$24.50 – $29.00 hourly

JOB SUMMARY

Works closely with the Administrator and Director of Faith Formation to manage and execute the Children's Faith Formation Sacramental preparation for the First Holy Communion Year I & II for English/Spanish speaking families for elementary, middle school students grades 1-8 and Adult OCIA and Confirmation program. Coordinates the volunteers involved in the First Holy Communion Year I & 11, VBS and Adult programs including aides and catechists responsible for the teaching of the Sacrament of the Reconciliation and the Eucharist. The Children's Faith Formation Coordinator must ensure that all teachings taught are in accordance with the Catholic Faith. Ensures parents are well informed and involved in the preparation of their students. Assists in general the development of general parish activities as directed.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepares the First Holy Communion Year I & II Class Syllabus that lists the weekly topics using the materials and books approved by the Administrator and Director of Faith Formation.
• Assists OCIA coordinators in the development of class syllabuses for OCIA classes and Adult Confirmation classes.
• Meets regularly with First Holy Communion Catechists to address any concerns on topics and teaching methods.
• Attend parish staff, department meetings/activities, and diocesan meetings as scheduled.
• Serve as a resource person to all staff members for each area of responsibility.
• Working closely with Faith Formation Team to provide seamless support
• With the information obtained and provided by the diocese, presents continued education opportunities, workshops, or spiritual growth to catechists.
• Provide direction, supervision and evaluation of assistant/catechists/volunteers/parents for each area of responsibility.
• In collaboration with Faith Formation Team keep updated ministry database(s) for each program or for each area of responsibility.
• Keeps parents and all involved the different programs informed in a timely matter of all upcoming events, utilizing any and all communication methods available to the program such as the parish website, text app, parish bulletin, or making flyers, posters, in-person meetings, phone calls, etc.
• Ensures all First Holy Communion students are taught the safe environment training, Growing with God, approved by the Diocese of Orange by trained catechists or presenters.
• With the Business Manager and Safe Environment Coordinator ensure all Catechists, aides, and any volunteer (including volunteer parents) for First Holy Communion Year I & II are cleared to work with children and ensure that anyone who does not meet the requirements by the first day of class is not allowed in the classroom or volunteer in any capacity until requirements are met.
• Works closely with the catechists to ensure the students are meeting the necessary work, preparation, and interest in the program. With the help of the catechists, identify problems with students to establish early intervention with the parents to remedy any missing work, preparation, and/or interest.
• Monitors students' Mass and Class attendance, retreat attendance (or make-up retreats), and any other event where attendance is mandatory.
• Oversees the recruitment, training, evaluation, and support of adult volunteers, ensuring compliance with Diocesan requirements.
• Submits to the Administrator/Director of Faith Formation budget expenses to be approved.
• Meets regularly or at least once a month with the Administrator/Director of Faith Formation to present activities, calendar, lesson plan, retreats, etc.
• When required, attend any liturgy/celebration planning meetings for the preparation of First Reconciliation, the First Holy Communion Mass, Adult Faith Formation Celebration, and anything else that may come up and requires liturgical coordination.
• With the Administrator, finalize the First Reconciliation Worship Aid that consists of reading(s), Examination of Conscience, and Act of Contrition.
• With the Administrator finalize the First Holy Communion Mass rehearsal and preparation for readings and all Liturgy Ministers.
• Be present on all First Holy Communion class days, Adult Faith Formation and related program events.
• Be available for parents/guardians and OCIA coordinators and volunteers who have any questions or need assistance regarding their students and the program.
• Ensure all classes are covered with Catechists and or aides and make any necessary preparations in case catechists or aides are no-shows.
• Ensure all rooms being used are open and properly set up for class to be held. At the end of the class, ensure all rooms used are properly closed, cleaned, and secured.
• Ensure all students are properly dropped off for class, picked up at the end of class, and/or released to proper adults.
• Plan and execute the First Holy Communion half-day retreat for students in Year I and Year II
• Develop on going formation and support for parents and adults.
• Help our Deacons plan and execute OCIA retreats.
• Design, develop, implement and promote family ministry endeavors.
• Seeks out and welcomes new and less active families with children and youth, young adults, and adults into the parish.
• Selects appropriate faith formation and evangelization resources.
• With the Special Events Team plan and execute Adult Spiritual Development events.
• With the Faith Formation Team plan and execute the Christmas Program Celebration for the Faith Formation Program.
• With the Faith Formation Team plan and execute the Christmas and/or end-of-year appreciation dinner for the Faith Formation catechists and volunteers.
• Lead the Faith Formation Team planning and executing our annual VBS week.
• With the Faith Formation Team help coordinate fund-raising activities that support Faith Formation Program as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Practicing Catholic who models their faith in daily life
• Strong oral and written communication in English/Spanish and comfortable public speaking.
• Timely completion of assignments and ability to prioritize
• High degree of commitment and adherence to deadlines
• Leadership and organizational skills to lead a large group of volunteers, catechists, and aides.
• Strict standards of confidentiality and ethics
• Computer competency with commonly used business applications (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook, Email, Google Docs). Camino and PDS, Canva
• Basic Catechism Certification

Prefered

• Bachelor's degree in theology, Religious Studies, Pastoral Ministry, education, or related field/experience
• Master Catechist.
• Bilingual, English and Spanish.

EXPERIENCE

• Two to three years' experience working in Faith Formation in a parish setting.

WORK CONDITIONS

• The position primarily involves work on parish premises and in an office setting, requiring frequent use of standard office equipment such as computers, AV, telephones, printers, credit card terminals, postage machines, and filing systems.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to support department programs, operational needs, or campus events.
• Must be available to adjust the work schedule as needed to meet organizational deadlines, operational demands, ministry activities or special projects.
• Regular interaction with students, staff, faculty, and visitors in a professional and faith-based environment.
• Some local travel may be required for meetings, trainings, or work‑related events.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to remain seated for extended periods while performing administrative and computer‑based tasks.
• Frequent walking, standing, and movement around the parish or office facilities to support programs and operational needs.
• Ability to lift and carry items up to 25 pounds, such as materials, supplies, and event equipment.
• Manual dexterity required for operating office equipment, preparing materials, and managing paperwork.
• Visual and auditory ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, students, and visitors in person, via email, and by phone.
• Must be able to set up and dismantle chairs, tables, and other equipment required for meetings, programs, or campus activities as needed.