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The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 216 parishes in Cook County and Lake County, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 13,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region's largest nonprofit social service agency. The Archdiocese also has one of the country's largest seminaries. The Archdiocese's 150+ elementary and secondary schools comprise one of the largest U.S. private school systems. Its schools have received 96 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards.
Job Summary
This role is an interim role and is expected to start on November 30, 2026 and ends on May 31, 2026.
The Coordinator of Religious Education coordinates the parish's efforts to equip children and their families to encounter Jesus Christ as part of a lifelong process that engages and encourages them to grow spiritually and intellectually as missionary disciples in the world. The scope of this position is to coordinate ongoing formation opportunities for children and their families. The coordinator is responsible for a mission of carrying out the vision and directives of their supervisor in providing ministry to children and their families in the parish. In doing so the coordinator must demonstrate relationship skills necessary to accompany volunteer leaders critical to the success of parish initiatives.
Essential Job Functions
- Plan the Children’s Faith Formation calendar, scheduling sessions, meetings, prayer and sacramental celebrations.
- Coordinate faith formation programs for all children and their families in the parish community (kindergarten to Grade 8).
- Coordinate sacramental preparation that uses most current methodologies and includes parents; plan rituals for the reception of the sacraments.
- Under the direction of the Pastor or the Director of Lifelong Formation, select appropriate formation curriculum and materials based on the USCCB and Archdiocese of Chicago guidelines.
- Work with existing catechists
- Incorporate intentional ways for engaging parents and families in faith formation that include hospitality, prayer, learning and service opportunities.
- Maintain accurate records that follow Archdiocesan policy and guidelines for sacraments, enrollment, attendance, medical and legal matters
Job Requirements
- Previous experience participating in a parish faith formation program.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with clergy, staff, parish leaders and volunteers.
- Practicing Catholic with understanding and support for Catholic Church teaching, mission, and values.
- Comfortable using various methodologies and pedagogies for helping children to encounter Jesus Christ and develop a relationship with Him.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the developmental needs of children with ethnic and family subcultures, as appropriate to the faith community being served.
- Comprehensive vision and understanding of evangelization.
- Ability to form and nurture a community of missionary disciples through encounter, accompaniment and sending forth.
- Mature discipleship evidenced in ability to comfortably witness to one’s own faith journey.
- Strong commitment to collaboration and teamwork.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
- Familiarity with technology used for communicating and presenting.
- 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.
- Available to work evenings and weekends when necessary.
Preferred Job Skills and Experience
- Undergraduate Degree in Pastoral Studies, Theology, Faith Formation or equivalent.
- Previous experience assisting in some component of a parish faith formation program, particularly Children’s Faith Formation program
- Experience with FlockNote.
The Archdiocese of Chicago offers a comprehensive total rewards package to include competitive compensation and benefit programs. Information about our benefit programs is available here
This position has a hourly range of $23.00-$28.00. An employee’s pay within the range is based on relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, location & business needs.