Open Positions
Job Title
Director of Faith Formation for Youth and Children
Location
St. Patrick Church
991 S. Waukegan Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045
Post Date
May 19, 2025
Position Description
The Director of Faith Formation for Youth and Children is responsible for articulating and implement a plan for comprehensive religious education in light of the parish mission and archdiocesan policies. This person will provide primary leadership for the design and implementation of parish ministry to its youth. The Director of Faith Formation for Youth and Children possesses an intimate knowledge of the Catholic faith, evangelizes youth in a way that appeals to today’s younger generations, is energetic, confident, self-motivated, utilizes current and emerging social media practices, excellent communication skills, and is passionate about forming youth in our faith and community.
General Duties and Responsibilities
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Plan and direct the religious education program for grades 1 through 9 including sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Christian Initiation of Children.
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Empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
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Plan, develop, and implement a schedule of service and social activities for youth (grades 8-12). Recruit adult youth leaders to assist with the implementation and supervision of these activities.
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Manage and oversee the planning, administration, budgeting, and recordkeeping of parish catechetical and youth programs.
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Coordinate archdiocesan Safe Environment programs for children, youth, parents, and volunteers in catechetical programs.
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Collaborate with the parish Virtus Administrator to ensure that all volunteers meet the guidelines of the Office of Protection of Children and Youth.
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Manage recruitment, orientation, supervision, and evaluation of catechists and support personnel, and provide opportunities for ongoing formation and spiritual development.
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Collaborate with parish staff members and parishioners. Attend staff meetings and events, as required.
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Organize and conduct parent meetings as necessary.
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Participate in meetings as they relate to deanery, vicariate, archdiocesan, and ecumenical structure, as applicable.
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Provide for individuals with special needs, e.g., SPRED, deaf interpretation, etc.
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Collaborate with other colleagues in the local region to seek out the best opportunities for continued formation and program development.
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Keep accurate records of participation in religious education programs and youth ministry activities and programs.
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Maintain contact with the Archdiocesan Office of Parish Vitality and Mission-Lifelong Formation, gain familiarity with Archdiocesan policies and guidelines, and attend Archdiocesan meetings.
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Perform other duties as requested by Pastor or supervisor.
Requirements and Qualifications
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Fully initiated, practicing Catholic with a thorough knowledge of and commitment to the teachings, beliefs, and life of the Catholic Church.
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A bachelor's degree in theology or related field.
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Enrollment at USML School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization, if necessary. Successful completion of curriculum with one year. Parish provides for professional development/continuing education.
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At least two (2) years’ experience in a Religious Education, Faith Formation, or related role at a Catholic Church preferred.
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Completion of Virtus and all other programs sponsored through the Archdiocese that are required to engage with youth.
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Energetic personality with the ability to generate enthusiasm about our Faith Formation programs.
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Ability to work with the gifts and talents of other staff members and maintain a teamwork mentality.
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Fluent in current social media practices and technology platforms that youth embrace.
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Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills.
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Must be able to accommodate for a flexible working schedule that include evenings, weekends, and special events.
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Strong working knowledge of Office 365 suite of products and highly comfortable navigating databases. Familiarity with Parish Data Systems (PDS).
Interested Candidates Should Contact:
Fr. Jerry Gunderson
Administrator
St. Patrick Church
991 S. Waukegan Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045
847-234-1401
Job Title
Director of Evangelization & Missionary Discipleship
Location
St. Patrick Church
991 S. Waukegan Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045
Post Date
May 21, 2025
Job Summary
The Director of Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship is responsible for assisting the pastor with the overall evangelization and ministry efforts in the parish to ensure that everyone in the parish may encounter Jesus Christ and deepen their commitment to Him and His Church. The scope of the role is to support, accompany, equip and lead the lay leaders in discerning, designing and implementing evangelization and ministry efforts. The director is responsible for the development, implementation, evaluation and ongoing improvement of the evangelization and faith formation initiatives and will be responsible for managing/supporting ministry leasers and volunteers. The director must demonstrate strong communication and leadership skills necessary to identify, develop, and retain a fully formed and well-functioning staff and volunteer teams critical to the success of parish initiatives.
Essential Job Functions
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Collaborate with the Pastor and others on discerning the vision that best enables the parish to offer ways for all parishioners to encounter Jesus Christ, be formed as disciples and practice missionary discipleship.
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Design and direct the practical steps to implement the pastoral vision focused on making disciples, building communities, and inspiring witness through integrated evangelization and ministry initiatives.
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Assist the pastor with the implementation of the strategic plan for parish mission and vitality and ensure that parish ministries are aligned with it.
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Oversee the ongoing Implementation of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults with the goal to achieve a year-round program.
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Collaborate with the Pastor and other staff members when necessary in implementing both ongoing adult educational/formational opportunities, shorter-in duration opportunities and also single-time events.
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Implement the sacramental preparation of students receiving their First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation in collaboration with the pastor, catechists and teachers.
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Direct the planning and execution of formation programs, coordinating with catechists and families, and ensuring that all religious education programs and sacramental preparation aligns with the teachings and pastoral vision of the Catholic Church.
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Direct the recruitment, training and assessing of volunteers entrusted with leadership of the parish ministries.
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Collaborate with the Pastor and Director of Operations to develop an annual budget for the pastoral ministries.
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Collaborate with parish and school leaders from other local parishes to discern best practices for providing vital ministry to all people.
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Ensure that ministry complies with the guidelines for Protecting God’s Children for those who minister to children in accordance with the Archdiocese of Chicago policies.
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Direct special projects or ministries as requested by the pastor.
Job Requirements
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Experience in a parish that demonstrates ability to engage parishioners and non-parishioners in the process of evangelization and community building.
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Demonstrated ability to foster an environment of inclusion and to engender a spirit of hospitality and welcome.
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Demonstrated expertise in collaborating with clergy, staff, parish leaders and volunteers.
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Ability to direct the work of team members and volunteers to drive key initiatives and programs.
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Practicing Catholic with understanding and support for Catholic Church teaching, mission and values.
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Comprehensive vision and expertise in evangelization and faith formation.
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Ability to form and nurture a community of missionary disciples through encounter, accompaniment and sending forth.
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Mature discipleship evidenced in ability to comfortably witness to one’s own faith journey.
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Developed skills in leadership and management; strong commitment to collaboration and teamwork.
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Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
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Familiarity with technology used for communicating and presenting.
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Open to ongoing formation / education as needed.
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Self-motivated, detail-oriented, collaborative, faithful, joyful witness, persistent, available, fair and balanced, dependable, person of integrity, sensitive to cultural, racial and ethnic diversity and openness to the needs of the parishioners.
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Ability to deal with multiple projects, flexible, sound judgment and comfortable with change.
Preferred Job Skills and Experience
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Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies, Theology, Faith Formation or equivalent.
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Two or more consecutive years as part of a parish staff.
Interested Candidates Should Contact:
Fr. Jerry Gunderson
Administrator
St. Patrick Church
991 S. Waukegan Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045
847-234-1401