Reports To: Administrator
Receives Work Direction From: Pastor and Administrator
Coordinates With: Pastoral Team
Schedule: 40 hours per week, 12 months per year, flexible schedule weekdays, Sundays required, and some Saturdays required
Description:
Since our founding as a Catholic parish in 1890, Church of the Ascension has served as a place of sanctuary and celebration for the people of North Minneapolis. Today, our diverse congregation welcomes the peoples of Latin America, Africa, South Asia and as well as other places in the world, while, of course, remaining home to the many people, who have worshiped here for generations. More than half of our parishioners are Spanish speakers, many of whom are new to the country. Our Masses and events are bilingual.
Life in Abundance is our parish mantra. It may seem odd to celebrate abundance in a neighborhood full of challenges such as poverty, crime and addiction, yet we see abundant life all around us — in the children and families we serve, in Ascension Catholic School, which is primarily African American, and in the three other elementary schools we operate as Ascension Catholic Academy. We also experience abundance in how generously our parishioners give their time, financial treasure and emotional support to each other, and in God’s love for us. We don’t deny the darkness, but we choose not to live in it. Instead, we have built our church on hope.
While working cooperatively with the Pastor and Pastoral Team, this position is responsible for the full spectrum of faith formation in Ascension Catholic Church. Sacramental preparation is the major focus of this role, as well as adult formation.
General Responsibilities:
- Coordinate sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation. First Eucharist and Confirmation are 2 year programs.
- Coordinate parent faith formation that accompanies the above sacramental preparation.
- Coordinate Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and Children.
- Coordinate opportunities for ongoing adult faith formation.
- Assist in developing small faith communities.
- Coordinate Children’s Liturgy of the Word at Sunday morning Masses.
- Train, support and supervise volunteers for the various ministries.
- Share in pastoral ministry with parishioners as needed.
- Collaborate with the Pastoral Team.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Practicing Catholic with knowledge of and appreciation of Catholic Tradition, Scripture and Sacraments.
- Proficient Bi-lingual Ability - English & Spanish
- Cultural Understanding including:
- Value and honor diversity and similarities among all peoples
- Understand and effectively respond to cultural differences
- Engage in cultural self-assessment
- Being conscious of the dynamics inherent when cultures interact and make adaptations as necessary
- College graduate with BA degree in Theology, Catholic Studies or equivalent.
- Experience preferred.
- Strong communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Ability to honor, train and support volunteer ministers.
- Organizational skills
- Post Vatican II understanding of the Church, including the Church’s rich social justice tradition and teaching.
- Flexibility in working weekends.
The responsibilities listed above are representative responsibilities intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be a full list of responsibilities and qualifications required of the position. More detailed listing of duties and tasks may be outlined in supplemental documents. Assigned responsibilities may change, as the needs of the Parish change.