Director of Religious Education (DRE)

Reports to: Pastor
Collaborates with: Parish Staff, Catechists, Youth Ministry Core Team, Parish Volunteers
Position Type: Parish Ministry Leadership

  • Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church and committed to the mission of parish ministry.
  • Knowledge of Catholic teaching, catechetical methodology, and the Church’s catechetical documents.
  • Ability to recruit, form, and support volunteers in a faith-based ministry environment.
  • Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
  • Ability to collaborate with parish leadership, families, and volunteers.
  • Willingness to complete and maintain diocesan certification requirements for catechetical leadership.

The faith formation and youth ministry programs of Ascension Parish support the pastoral mission of the parish under the leadership of the pastor. These ministries exist to help children, youth, and adults grow in knowledge of the Catholic faith, participation in the sacramental life of the Church, and active membership in the parish community.

The Director of Religious Education (DRE) serves as a member of the parish’s pastoral leadership and is responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of faith formation programs for children, youth, and adults, under the direction of the pastor. The DRE also serves as the parish Safe Environment Coordinator.

The DRE recruits and forms catechists and volunteers, selects appropriate curriculum and program resources, develops formation opportunities for participants and families, and coordinates the scheduling and administration of parish faith formation programs.

Working in collaboration with parish leadership and ministry volunteers, the DRE ensures that the parish’s catechetical efforts reflect the mission of the parish and the teaching mission of the Church.

  • Articulate and promote a vision of catechesis rooted in the Church’s catechetical documents and the mission of the parish.

  • Foster a culture of faith formation within the parish by supporting families as primary educators in the faith.
  • Encourage participation in prayer, sacramental life, retreats, service opportunities, and other experiences that deepen spiritual formation.
  • Build relationships with parents, volunteers, and parish leadership to strengthen the parish’s faith formation and youth ministry efforts.
  • Participate in the broader life of the parish, supporting liturgies, parish events, and collaborative ministry initiatives.

  • The Director of Religious Education exercises appropriate initiative and professional judgment in developing parish faith formation programs while remaining accountable to the pastor, who holds final responsibility for the catechetical and pastoral direction of the parish.
  • In this role the DRE:
  • Regularly evaluates the effectiveness of parish catechetical and youth ministry programs.
  • Identifies opportunities for growth in participation, formation, and family engagement.
  • Develops initiatives that strengthen the integration of catechesis, sacramental life, service, and parish community.
  • Collaborates with the pastor and parish leadership to establish priorities for parish faith formation.

The DRE oversees the development and administration of parish faith formation programs, including:

Catechetical Formation

  • Coordination of parish catechetical programs for children, youth, and adults.
  • Recruitment, formation, and support of catechists and volunteers.
  • Selection of curriculum and educational resources consistent with Church teaching.
  • Integration of service opportunities and faith-sharing experiences within formation programs.

Sacramental Preparation

  • Coordination of preparation for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation.
  • Formation opportunities for candidates and their families.
  • Collaboration with the pastor and parish staff in the scheduling and celebration of sacramental liturgies.
  • Completion of diocesan requirements related to sacramental preparation and record keeping.

Youth Ministry

  • Development and coordination of youth ministry programs for middle school and high school students.
  • Facilitation of service opportunities, retreats, and formation experiences that foster discipleship.
  • Recruitment and formation of youth ministry volunteers and leadership teams.

The Director of Religious Education provides leadership, formation, and support for catechists and ministry volunteers who serve in the parish’s faith formation programs.

In collaboration with the pastor and parish leadership, the DRE is responsible for recruiting, training, guiding, and supervising volunteers in order to ensure that parish programs are conducted in a manner consistent with Church teaching, parish expectations, and diocesan policies.

The DRE works to foster a supportive and collaborative ministry environment while providing appropriate guidance, direction, and accountability for those serving in catechetical and youth ministry roles.

  • The DRE provides administrative leadership to support the effective operation of parish faith formation programs. Responsibilities include:
  • Program coordination including scheduling, registration, communication with families, and management of program resources.
  • Support and supervision of catechists and ministry volunteers.
  • Maintenance of program records and sacramental documentation in collaboration with parish staff.
  • Coordination of parish faith formation communications and updates to families and the parish community.

Safe Environment

The DRE serves as the parish Safe Environment Coordinator and ensures compliance with diocesan policies, including administration of Virtus training programs and verification of training requirements for employees and volunteers.

The Director of Religious Education works collaboratively with the pastor, parish staff, and ministry leaders to support the mission of the parish. Because parish life includes many activities and ministries, priorities for the DRE’s work are established in consultation with the pastor to ensure that the most important areas of faith formation and youth ministry receive appropriate attention.

Additional responsibilities may be assigned by the pastor in support of the mission of the parish.