Parish Catechetical Leader and Assistant to Pastor
Daytona Beach
Job Type
Full-time
Description
SUMMARY Under the direction of the Pastor, the Parish Catechetical Leader serves in a consolidated position encompassing two distinct but interconnected roles: Parish Catechetical Leader and Administrative Assistant to the Pastor. As Parish Catechetical Leader, the incumbent is primarily responsible for the overall leadership, development, implementation, administration, and evaluation of the Basilica of St. Paul’s comprehensive catechetical ministry, serving parishioners from Pre-K through adulthood, including lifelong faith formation, sacramental preparation, and the catechumenal process, in accordance with Catholic teaching and diocesan requirements. As Administrative Assistant to the Pastor, the incumbent provides professional and confidential administrative support to the Pastor and coordinates designated pastoral services, including Baptisms, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, weddings, and funerals, as well as related parish communications. These two complementary roles are integrated into a single position, with catechetical leadership serving as the principal responsibility while administrative and pastoral support functions contribute to the effective operation of the parish and the fulfillment of its pastoral mission.
 The Diocese of Orlando's four core values lay the foundation for the work performed by its employees: 1. Authenticity: The conviction that God has called us to reflect our inner life of faith in our daily living. 2. Respect: Affirming each person's God-given dignity and uniqueness. 3. Courage: Inspired by this gift of the Holy Spirit, we proclaim and live the Word of God fearlessly and devotedly. 4. Commitment: Individually and collectively, we are steadfast to the team and its purpose 
 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The following duties are representative of the tasks performed in this classification and are not listed in order of importance. The omission of a specific duty does not exclude it from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this position. Other duties may be required and assigned. Administrative Support to the Pastor • Provides general administrative support to the Pastor, including correspondence, communications, calendaring, travel                            arrangements, and follow-up. • Manages the Pastor's calendar and contacts and maintains the parish master calendar. • Opens and distributes daily mail, determines importance and priority, and routes correspondence for action.  • Prepares documents and reports by collecting information and by transcribing, formatting, editing, and transmitting text, data, and graphics. • Keeps the Pastor and appropriate personnel informed of developments and situations, exercising sound judgment and maintaining confidentiality in all areas of responsibility. • Develops and maintains effective records and information management systems, including a current and accurate filing system. • Coordinates and sets up meetings, conferences, liturgical celebrations, special events, luncheons, and other gatherings as requested by the Pastor. • Attends required meetings and gatherings, takes minutes, and offers assistance as needed.  Catechists, Volunteers, and Collaborative Ministry   • Recruits, orients, forms, schedules, and supports catechists and volunteers; coordinates ongoing catechetical training and appropriate leadership development. • Ensures that personnel and volunteers involved in formation satisfy applicable diocesan Safe Environment, background screening, and catechetical certification requirements. • Provides functional direction, resources, coaching, and program support to the formation team while collaborating across other parish ministries. • Fosters welcoming and culturally responsive relationships with parishioners and families, including effective ministry in English and Spanish. 
 Pastoral Services and Parish Communication • Coordinates pastoral services in support of the Pastor’s office, including Baptisms, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, weddings, and funerals, in close collaboration and ongoing communication with the Director of Liturgy to ensure proper planning, scheduling, and coordination of liturgical celebrations. • Serves as liaison between the parish and its community partners, and between the Pastor's office and parish ministries and groups. • Ensures timely and professional communication with stakeholders throughout the parish community 
 Catechetical Leadership • Develops goals, objectives, and strategies for a comprehensive catechetical program serving parishioners from Pre-K through adulthood, including preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation, Reconciliation, and Marriage. • Develops and implements a coherent, unified curriculum and catechetical plan for the parish in collaboration with the Pastor, parish staff, formation team, advisory committees, and others. • Directs and oversees catechetical programs that support comprehensive, systematic, and lifelong discipleship in the Catholic faith, in accordance with Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), the Directory for Catechesis (2020), the National Directory for Catechesis (NDC), Church law, diocesan guidelines, and parish needs. • Directs the work of the formation team, provides training, resources, and program support, and develops a yearly schedule for all programs with the team. • Recruits and trains catechists and volunteers and ensures they meet diocesan Safe Environment and certification requirements. • Researches, evaluates, and recommends primary and supplemental catechetical resources and materials.  • Evaluates parish formation programs and makes recommendations to the Pastor. • Serves as a resource in catechetics for the formation team, parish staff, Pastor, and parish community. • Promotes catechetical programs, best practices, and milestones through the parish bulletin, weekly update, website, social media, and other channels. • Promotes catechetical programs, best practices, and milestones through the parish bulletin, weekly updates, website, social media, and other communication channels, in close collaboration with the parish Communications Assistant to ensure consistent, accurate, and timely communication. Records, Budget, and Reporting • Maintains all sacramental records, program registrations, evaluations, and related data. • Prepares the annual catechetical budget for review by the Pastor and parish finance council and manages expenditures within approved parameters. • Develops accurate and reliable statistical measures of the parish's catechetical efforts and submits reports to the Pastor, pastoral council, diocese, or others as required.
 Meetings and Professional Development • Attends and participates in parish staff meetings and facilitates formation staff and committee meetings. • Attends diocesan meetings and events related to catechetical ministry or job responsibilities. • Stays current on diocesan policy and on developments in educational and catechetical practice. • Participates in local and regional professional organizations related to catechetics and prioritizes professional development, including keeping credentials current as a parish catechetical leader in the Diocese of Orlando. • Performs other job-related duties as assigned 









Requirements

 QUALIFICATIONS 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


 Catholic Faith 

Must be a practicing Catholic with sufficient knowledge and training in theology, liturgy, and ministry in the Roman Catholic tradition. Church employees must conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with and supportive of the mission and purpose of the Church. Their public behavior must not violate the faith, morals, or laws of the Church or the policies of the diocese. 


Education and Experience: Required 

• Master’s degree in Theology, Pastoral Studies, Religious Education, Catechetics, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, consistent with the applicable diocesan catechetical leader classification. 

• Experience as an office supervisor or office manager, including experience with technology-based office management and support.

 • Ministry experience in a parish or diocesan position. Related degrees and comparable experience will be considered.

 • Valid driver's license and the ability to travel as required.

  • Must pass diocesan Safe Environment requirements and background screening.

 • Professional proficiency in both English and Spanish Administrative and Professional Skills 

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and frequent interruptions.

 • Excellent writing skills, including the ability to read and analyze correspondence, compose appropriate responses, and present reports and information clearly.

 • Ability to respond effectively to inquiries from internal and external sources. 

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw sound conclusions.

 • Proficiency in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, with working knowledge of Excel and Outlook.

 • A high degree of discretion and confidentiality.

 • Initiative, creativity, and sound judgment in anticipating and resolving problems, including under pressure.

 • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with individuals, groups, and diverse personalities and cultures. 


Ministry and Catechetical Knowledge 

 • Knowledge of Catholic doctrine as presented in the documents of the Second Vatican Council, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and other relevant ecclesial documents. 

• Thorough understanding of the catechumenate and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).

 • Knowledge of the multicultural dimensions of catechesis and the ability to work effectively across cultures.

 • Ability to assess parish needs and resources and to develop catechetical processes and programs that meet established goals.

 • Demonstrated leadership and team-building abilities to direct all elements of catechetical programming.


 WORKING CONDITIONS

 This is a full-time position. Working hours are not limited to an eight-hour day, and availability on evenings and weekends is required as needed. The role requires the ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure. 


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

 Work is sedentary to light and may involve lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects of up to 15 pounds. Tasks may involve extended periods at a keyboard or workstation and the ability to sit and stand for long periods. Must be able to reach, grasp, and see both up close and at a distance; use standard office computer equipment, with or without reasonable accommodation; and communicate verbally and in writing. A review of this position has excluded marginal functions that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions, and requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Requirements are representative of the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform each duty proficiently. 



 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

 This job description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this classification. It is not intended to be a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.


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 Employee's Signature                                                                                                                      Date 


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Manager / Supervisor / Pastor's Signature                                                                                   Date