Associate/Assistant

Position: ELEMENTARY FORMATION ASSISTANT

Date Revised: January 30, 2024

Reports to: COORDINATOR OF ELEMENTARY FORMATION

Location: Immaculate Conception Church

2255 N Bonnie Brae St

Denton, TX 76207

The Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas includes 91 Parishes, and 19 schools. It stretches from Quanah, Texas just northwest of Wichita Falls in the West and extends to Penelope, Texas in the Southeast. Its largest metropolitan areas are Fort Worth, Arlington, Denton, and Wichita Falls. The principal duty of all employees is to assist in the mission of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas.

General Position Summary: Responsible for providing administrative, office and catechetical support to the Coordinator of Elementary Formation (CEF), for the catechesis of children PreK – 5th grade. This position may require coordinating and supervising volunteers. This is a occasional position; less than 20 hours per week.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Aids Coordinator of Elementary Formation while religious formation and sacramental preparation is offered. Will help CEF oversee catechists, aides and teen volunteers. Teach and lead formation and sacramental preparation classes. May need to substitute or step in and help catechists when needed.
• Provides secretarial support for the CEF. Performs typing, word processing, proofreading and editing materials. Duplicates and distributes materials, including communication to parents, composes correspondence, and processes incoming and outgoing mail as requested.
• Assists in maintaining comprehensive filing system for student files and sacramental records. Coordinates with Data Manager in order to maintain and update student records, including attendance data.
• Assist CEF with enrollment. Ensures that parents accurately complete all forms. Requests additional information as necessary and will aid with processing all enrollment paperwork. Coordinates with Data Manager to develop and update record keeping system on an ongoing basis to ensure that records are accurate. May contact parents via phone, e-mail or letter regarding student information, when necessary.
• May contact catechists, volunteers, process materials and purchase materials under the supervision of the CEF. Assists in completing an annual inventory of books and supplies.
• May assist CEF in coordinating volunteers in assisting with sacramental preparation classes as well with sacramental events i.e. Easter Vigil, First Communion Masses, Children’s Penance Services, Retreats and any other event that may arise.
• Assists CEF in preparation for special events i.e. Parent Orientation meeting, Family Ministry events.
• Participate in the life and activities of the parish.
• Be involved in ongoing continuing education for personal and professional growth.
• Responsible for all and any additional duties assigned by either the CEF or Pastor.

Travel Requirements:

• None

Supervision Given and/or Received:

• Supervised by the Coordinator of Elementary Formation and Pastor
• Quarterly evaluations conducted.

Education and Experience Preferred:

• Practicing and active Catholic, faithful to the Magisterium and in good standing with the Catholic Church.
• Successful completion of the Diocesan Safe Environment process.
• High School Graduate, and completion of the St. Francis de Sales Basic Catechist Certification Program, or agreement to pursue such.
• Has previous experience in catechetics and or parish ministry either in a paid or volunteer position.
• Must be legally able to work in the United States.

Knowledge and Skills Preferred:

• Bilingual. Ability to communicate and translate fluently, orally and in writing in English and Spanish.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to balance and appropriately prioritize multiple projects and requirements.
• Ability to calmly handle conflict between children, parents and volunteers.
• Demonstrates technical skills, knowledge and ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher), can demonstrate ability to learn parish database system.
• Ability to work with and use audio visual equipment, included but not limited to laptops, projectors, and sound systems.
• Excellent people relations skills for representing the parish and Diocese in person and social media to those who call, write or visit.
• Ability to honor and maintain confidentially.
• Ability to lift 25 lbs

Working Conditions and/or Physical Requirements:

• This position works in a typical office environment and is subject to stress due to the evolving and quickly expanding business needs, tight deadlines and heavy workloads.