Parish Catechetical Leader and Assistant to Pastor

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