GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The Coordinator of Children’s Faith Formation and Family Ministry zealously promotes the mission and vision of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Roman Catholic Church through the effectuation and coordination of educational, formational, and community-building ministries and events for children (Pre-K through 5th grade) and families, in various forms, as well as through the close accompaniment of children, their families, and the broader parish community along their journey of faith. This role assists in building up the Kingdom of God through the creation and development of new, and the enhancement of existing, educational, formational, and community-building programs and opportunities for children and families. Coordinator of Children’s Faith Formation and Family Ministry serves directly under the Pastor and in collaboration with the Coordinator of Pastoral Ministry and Outreach, the Coordinator of Youth Ministry, the Coordinator of Evangelization and Adult Formation, and other members of the Pastoral Team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Ministry Facilitation and Effectuation
    • Collaborate with the Pastor and others to assess and evaluate the spiritual needs of the People of God, especially children and families, at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish and in Spring Hill and Hernando County.
    • Collaborate with the Pastor and others to create and develop new educational, formational, and community-building initiatives and programs for children and families.
    • Collaborate with the Pastor and others to evaluate and improve existing educational, formational, and community-building ministries and programs for children and families.
    • Assist and accompany Pastoral Team members and parishioners in the development, planning, promotion, and execution of ministerial initiatives or events.
  • Specific Ministries, Programs, and Areas of Competence
    • Age of children: Pre-K through 5th grade
    • Sacramental preparation and coordination
      • Baptism, First Reconciliation, and First Holy Communion
    • Faith Formation Programs
      • Traditional religious education (Monday)
      • “Family Faith” (Sunday)
      • Home-based religious education
      • Desired future Faith Formation programs:
        • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Level 1) Certification preferred; if uncertified, parish would encourage and support certificatio
        • Faith formation program adapted for children with special needs
    • Service and ministry to children at Mass
      • Children’s bulletin
        • Activity booklet for children
      • “Busy bags”
        • Activities to occupy little children during Mass
      • “Little Lambs”
        • Age-appropriate catechesis for children during the Liturgy of the Word
    • Vacation Bible School
    • Family and community events
      • Back to School Bash (August)
      • Trunk or Treat (Halloween)
      • Bethlehem Experience (Advent)
        • Advent/Christmas-themed event for children
      • Jerusalem Experience (Lent)
        • Lent/Easter-themed event for children
    • Support for homeschooling families
  • Volunteer Recruitment and Accompaniment
    • Evaluate, train, and direct volunteers for their ministerial service.
    • Promote volunteer/catechist involvement in the Diocesan Certification Program
    • Assist with and empower parishioners to undertake ministerial activities which align with Parish mission and vision.
  • Administration and Organization
    • In collaboration and coordination with the Pastor and Pastoral Team, create and maintain calendar of Children’s Faith Formation, community/family, and Sacramental programs and events, with attentiveness to facilities scheduling.
    • Maintain an accurate database of all participants in Children’s Faith Formation and Sacramental ministries and programs.
    • Maintain sacramental records for those in Sacramental programs
  • Communication, Collaboration, and Miscellaneous
    • Respond to correspondence in a professional manner and timely fashion.
    • Collaborate with Pastor, Coordinator of Communications, and others to ensure proper and timely communication of pertinent and relevant information.
    • Communicate, as necessary, with those participating in ministries and programs.
    • Partake in Pastoral Team meetings, and other meetings as necessary, providing appropriate input, accurate assessments of programs and needs, and following through on any information obtained during the course thereof.
    • Participate in diocesan committees or training events related to one’s responsibilities.
    • Support and assist with Parish/Diocesan events as needed.
    • Assumes and/or performs additional related duties as requested and assigned by the Pastor and/or Parish Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

  • An active, practicing Catholic able to express personal knowledge of the Catholic Faith and commitment to Catholic ideals.
  • Must be courageous, self-motivated, and creative/innovative. Must be willing to take risks, be undaunted by difficulty or failure, and be willing and able to learn from mistakes and imperfections in the pursuit of Pastoral excellence.
  • Must have a solid, integrated grasp of the Catholic Faith—its teachings, traditions, and the way they are lived out—along with the ability to apply that understanding to children in an age-appropriate way.
  • Must have a solid, integrated grasp of the Catholic Faith—its teachings, traditions, and the way they are lived out—along with the ability to apply that understanding Pastorally in both everyday situations and more complex or theoretical ones, and be willing to seek guidance when necessary.
  • Must be familiar with the Church’s universal and local (national and diocesan) laws governing the Sacraments and be able to Pastorally apply those guidelines, whether the circumstances are straightforward or more complex/nuanced, and be willing to seek guidance when necessary.
  • Must have the desire and ability to continue one’s own education and formation in the Catholic Faith, both through the participation in formal programs as well as autodidactically.
  • Must possess dynamic and effective pedagogical skills, as well as the knowledge and utilization of the most effective pedagogical methods, especially in the utilization of media.
  • Must be willing and able to collaborate as part of the Pastoral Team and Parish Family.
  • Effective use of modern computing systems, including hardware and software, especially Microsoft Office.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
  • Effective oral, written, and listening communication abilities.
  • Ability to stay on one’s feet for long periods of time.
  • Ability to work without supervision.
  • Ability to communicate with and aid Pastoral Team and various Parish and non-parochial groups.
  • Professionally represent the Parish to outside businesses and organizations.
  • Ability to work with small groups and to supervise employees and/or volunteers in a positive working relationship.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality.
  • Successfully pass a level II (FBI) criminal history background check and attend Safe Environment Training.
  • Comply with all policies of the Diocese of St. Petersburg and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish, both in person and on social media/online.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume and cover letter to Fr. Alex Padilla, Pastor: frpadilla@stfrances.org