Directors and Coordinators of Religious Education

 

 

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DRE Job Description CRE Job Description

 

 

DRE Position Profile

 

Distinguishing Characteristics:

The position is distinguished from the Coordinator of Religious Education by the extent of education and experience required, the amount of independence exercised in carrying out tasks, and the scope of responsibilities assigned.  The DRE performs work of major responsibility requiring a high level of initiative, judgment, organizational ability, and knowledge of the interrelated functions of the position and the parish.

 

Examples of Duties:

• Plans and directs parish faith formation/religious education programs

• Invites, motivates, and forms volunteers to serve as responsible catechists

• Conducts catechist formation according to diocesan policies

• Facilitates the growth of personal faith and community among catechists

• Directs the selection process, purchases texts and materials, and instructs catechists in their use

• Drafts, explains, and defends the catechetical budget to the appropriate decision-making bodies

• Delegates tasks and responsibilities as needed

• Where there is an advisory board for faith formation/religious education, serves as its executive officer

• Provides parish staff resources and in-services for catechesis

• Initiates and maintains accurate records on students, families, catechists

• Collaborates with parish staff and other ministers and serves as catechetical resource for the Christian Initiation of all persons of catechetical age

• Maintains professional updating through research, classes, workshops, reading, and contact with peers

• Promotes good public relations both within and beyond the parish and is involved in deanery and diocesan events

 

Minimum Qualifications: Knowledge of:

• Principles of catechesis for all age levels

• Contemporary church documents, origins and development of the Church's teachings: scripture, theology, spirituality, liturgy

• Multi-cultural dimensions of catechesis

• Catechetical resources and their application for all age levels

• Diocesan and national expectations and trends in catechesis

 

Ability to:

• Understand the partnership of family, parish community and catechists as essential agents in the catechetical process

• Articulate a vision for comprehensive parish catechesis based on the major catechetical documents of the Church

• Design appropriate catechetical programs and curriculum for adults, adolescents, children based on church documents

• Review, evaluate and develop programs, mission statements, long and short range goals and objectives.

• Develop and extend programs to include groups and/or individuals with physical or developmental disabilities

• Assemble literary and audio-visual resources and use media and technology for effective program implementation

• Include awareness of ethnic and cultural sensitivity in all catechetical efforts

• Provide and facilitate initial and continuing catechist formation opportunities

• Facilitate effective group interaction and team work

• If there is a parish school, cooperate with and assist school principal in carrying out the goals for catechesis in the school

• Inform, support, and resource parents or primary care givers in the religious formation of their children

• Promote and implement diocesan policies and guidelines regarding religious education and respond to requests for reports, surveys and program evaluations

 

Experience:  At least two years experience with a parish faith formation program to include administrative experience in the direction of some phase of the program involving children, adults, catechists

 

Education:

• Record of attendance at diocesan workshops and programs for ongoing education

• Basic Catechist Certification; Desirable: Master Catechist Certification

• Recommended M.A. in Religious Education, Theology, Scripture, Liturgical Studies or a related field

      

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CRE Position Profile

 

Distinguishing Characteristics:

 

The position is distinguished from the Director of Religious Education in the lowered amount of independence exercised in carrying out tasks, by the reduced scope of responsibilities assigned, and by the performance of duties requiring less education and experience in the field.  Work is varied in nature and includes work of above average responsibility requiring initiative, judgment, organizational ability, and knowledge of the interrelated functions of the position and the parish.

 

Examples of Duties:

• Plans and directs sessions for a specific area of religious education/faith formation

• Invites and motivates volunteers

• Provides opportunities for catechist formation according to diocesan policies, but
  is not expected to lead them

• Facilitates the growth of personal faith and community among catechists

• Publicizes Religious Education/Faith Formation activities

• Participates in the selection of texts and materials for a specific area

• Monitors and evaluates the use of funds

• Registers families and provides for family/parent meetings

• Keeps records of participants and catechists

• Communicates and collaborates with catechists, families, parents, and other parish ministers

• Participates in parish staff meetings

• Prepares and organizes liturgical celebrations

Minimum Qualifications: Knowledge of:

• Principles of catechesis for a specific age level

• Contemporary Church documents, origins and development of the Church's teachings in scripture, theology, spirituality and liturgy

• Multicultural needs and education

• Catechetical resources and their application to a specific age level

• Diocesan and national expectations and trends

 

Ability to:

• Understand the partnership of family, parish community and catechists as essential agents in the catechetical process

• Articulate a vision for comprehensive catechesis in a specific area based on the major catechetical documents

• Design appropriate catechetical programs and curriculum for a specific age or group based on the church documents

• Include groups and/or individuals with physical or developmental disabilities in catechetical programs of a specific area

• Include awareness of ethnic and cultural sensitivity on all catechetical efforts

• Provide initial and continuing catechist formation opportunities

• Facilitate effective group interaction and teamwork

• Support parents of primary care givers in the religious formation of their children

• Implement diocesan policies and guidelines regarding religious education and respond to requests for reports, surveys, and program evaluations

 

Experience

• Two to three years of recent catechetical experience

• Demonstrable work with volunteers

 

Education

• Record of attendance at diocesan workshops and programs for ongoing education

• California Catechist Certification

• Recommended B.A. in Religious Studies or related field

 

 

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