Director of Formation & Evangelization - St. Vincent Ferrer - River Forest - Vic
Archdiocese of Chicago, River Forest, IL, United States
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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.
Under the supervision of the Pastor the Director of Faith Formation and Evangelization leads the parish’s mission of lifelong formation, ensuring parishioners of every age and stage encounter Jesus Christ, deepen their commitment to Him and His Church, and grow as disciples sent to preach the Gospel through word, witness, and service. In collaboration with the Pastor and clergy, the Director helps discern, articulate, and implement a parish wide vision for formation and evangelization serving adults, children, and families.
Rooted in the Dominican charism, this role integrates catechesis, sacramental preparation, ongoing formation, and evangelization into a unified pastoral vision shaped by the Dominican pillars of prayer, study, community, and preaching. Through these pillars, lifelong formation is understood as a continual conversion of mind and heart so that one may more faithfully seek and pass on the truth for the salvation of souls.
Key Responsibilities
Formation
Work with the Pastor and clergy, to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for lifelong faith formation according to parish vision and mission Manage recruitment, orientation, training and supervision of catechetical staff and volunteers; provide opportunities for formation and education of catechists according to archdiocesan policies and catechist formation guidelines Coordinate celebration of the parish sacraments including First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation Select, implement, and regularly evaluate catechetical curricula and formation resources that are responsive to the pastoral needs of the parishand align to school religious instruction Work with the Pastor and clergy to develop and coordinate adult and intergenerational formation opportunities including enrichment talks, days of reflection, Advent and Lent faith sharing and missions, etc. Collaborate with deanery, vicariate, and Archdiocese Department of Parish Vitality and Mission and Lifelong Formation Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
Coordinate and oversee the OCIA recruitment and enrollment process Work with the Pastor to source and organize OCIA program components and formation materials; ensure doctrinal fidelity, authentic accompaniment, and integration into parish life Provide leadership and coordination of the parish OCIA team, including the teaching catechist, sponsors, and liturgical collaborators Promote ongoing mystagogy and lifelong formation of newly initiated Catholics Evangelization
Under the direction of the Pastor, develop and implement a strategic evangelization plan that engages and is grounded in the Dominican charism. Advance internal parish evangelization by cultivating opportunities for study, encounter, and conversion that lead less engaged Catholics in our community toward active and informed practice of the faith Coordinate outward evangelization initiatives that intentionally reach those disaffiliated from the Church to experience welcome, mercy, and dialogue, encouraging re-engagement with faith and parish life Work to identify, recruit, and develop a core group of parishioners to build a parish evangelization team Leadership, Communication, and Administration
Ability to support and promote Pastor vision regarding the mission and operations of the parish Prepare and manage formation and evangelization budgets in collaboration with the Pastor and parish staff Create and provide lifelong formation content for parish communications (bulletin, website, newsletters, digital media) Attend weekend Masses as appropriate to build relationships and maintain pastoral presence Ensure compliance with Archdiocese of Chicago Safe Environment policies, including Virtus training, background checks, and Codes of Conduct Participate in parish staff meetings, planning processes, and required diocesan or vicariate gatherings Qualifications
Faith and Ministerial Expectations
Practicing Catholic in good standing, faithful to the Magisterium and discipline of the Church Demonstrated spiritual maturity and ability to witness appropriately to one’s relationship with Jesus Christ Affinity for Dominican spirituality, preaching, and commitment to truth Education And Experience
Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree in theology, pastoral ministry, faith formation, or related field welcomed but not required 3-6 years parish ministry experience, particularly in lifelong formation, faith formation, or evangelization experienced and comfortable leading volunteers Archdiocesan catechist certification required and preferred experience leading faith formation programs Skills And Abilities
Ability to manage multiple priorities with flexibility, sound judgment, and pastoral sensitivity Ability to collaborate effectively with clergy, staff, volunteers, and parish leadership May be given other assignments and projects consistent with the responsibility level and general duties of a Director of Formation and Evangelization. Safe environment compliance is a condition of employment with the Archdiocese of Chicago and includes background check, fingerprinting, annual checks on registry of DCFS, Virtus training, Mandated Reporter Training, and acknowledgement and agreement with Archdiocesan Standards of Behavior 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 an annualized salary range of $55,000.00 - $65,000.00. An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on many factors including but not limited to: relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and organizational needs.
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Formation
Work with the Pastor and clergy, to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for lifelong faith formation according to parish vision and mission Manage recruitment, orientation, training and supervision of catechetical staff and volunteers; provide opportunities for formation and education of catechists according to archdiocesan policies and catechist formation guidelines Coordinate celebration of the parish sacraments including First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation Select, implement, and regularly evaluate catechetical curricula and formation resources that are responsive to the pastoral needs of the parishand align to school religious instruction Work with the Pastor and clergy to develop and coordinate adult and intergenerational formation opportunities including enrichment talks, days of reflection, Advent and Lent faith sharing and missions, etc. Collaborate with deanery, vicariate, and Archdiocese Department of Parish Vitality and Mission and Lifelong Formation Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
Coordinate and oversee the OCIA recruitment and enrollment process Work with the Pastor to source and organize OCIA program components and formation materials; ensure doctrinal fidelity, authentic accompaniment, and integration into parish life Provide leadership and coordination of the parish OCIA team, including the teaching catechist, sponsors, and liturgical collaborators Promote ongoing mystagogy and lifelong formation of newly initiated Catholics Evangelization
Under the direction of the Pastor, develop and implement a strategic evangelization plan that engages and is grounded in the Dominican charism. Advance internal parish evangelization by cultivating opportunities for study, encounter, and conversion that lead less engaged Catholics in our community toward active and informed practice of the faith Coordinate outward evangelization initiatives that intentionally reach those disaffiliated from the Church to experience welcome, mercy, and dialogue, encouraging re-engagement with faith and parish life Work to identify, recruit, and develop a core group of parishioners to build a parish evangelization team Leadership, Communication, and Administration
Ability to support and promote Pastor vision regarding the mission and operations of the parish Prepare and manage formation and evangelization budgets in collaboration with the Pastor and parish staff Create and provide lifelong formation content for parish communications (bulletin, website, newsletters, digital media) Attend weekend Masses as appropriate to build relationships and maintain pastoral presence Ensure compliance with Archdiocese of Chicago Safe Environment policies, including Virtus training, background checks, and Codes of Conduct Participate in parish staff meetings, planning processes, and required diocesan or vicariate gatherings Qualifications
Faith and Ministerial Expectations
Practicing Catholic in good standing, faithful to the Magisterium and discipline of the Church Demonstrated spiritual maturity and ability to witness appropriately to one’s relationship with Jesus Christ Affinity for Dominican spirituality, preaching, and commitment to truth Education And Experience
Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree in theology, pastoral ministry, faith formation, or related field welcomed but not required 3-6 years parish ministry experience, particularly in lifelong formation, faith formation, or evangelization experienced and comfortable leading volunteers Archdiocesan catechist certification required and preferred experience leading faith formation programs Skills And Abilities
Ability to manage multiple priorities with flexibility, sound judgment, and pastoral sensitivity Ability to collaborate effectively with clergy, staff, volunteers, and parish leadership May be given other assignments and projects consistent with the responsibility level and general duties of a Director of Formation and Evangelization. Safe environment compliance is a condition of employment with the Archdiocese of Chicago and includes background check, fingerprinting, annual checks on registry of DCFS, Virtus training, Mandated Reporter Training, and acknowledgement and agreement with Archdiocesan Standards of Behavior 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 an annualized salary range of $55,000.00 - $65,000.00. An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on many factors including but not limited to: relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and organizational needs.
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