Director of Catholic Identity and Mission
Department of Education, Diocese of Rockville Centre, NY
Position Description
The Department of Education, Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York (the "Department") seeks a faithful and dynamic leader with a passion for Catholic education and evangelization to serve as the Director of Catholic Identity and Mission. The Director of Catholic Identity and Mission will work with the Superintendent of Schools and the Bishop's Delegate to the Department of Education to maintain a robustly Catholic culture in the 31 parish and regional elementary schools and two diocesan high schools centered on the spiritual, intellectual, sacramental, and liturgical life of the Catholic Church.
The Department seeks to identify an evangelizing Catholic leader with a passion for Catholic education and the teachings of the Church. The Director of Catholic Identity and Mission must also be able to work collaboratively with the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. Because the Director of Catholic Identity and Mission will work closely with the Bishop of the Diocese, pastors, principals, teachers, and students experience in Catholic school teaching or leadership is desirable.
Responsibilities
The Director of Catholic Identity and Mission will lead all efforts related to the 1st Pillar of the Morning Star Initiative in each Catholic school of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. The Director will work with principals, teachers, pastors and parents to ensure that each school's Catholic identity is authentic. Through serious formation of the whole person, in complete fidelity to the fullness of the truths taught by the Catholic Faith, our elementary and diocesan high schools seek to produce practicing Catholic young men and women capable of evangelizing, living, and bearing witness to their faith on college campuses and in the public square. Authentic Catholic identity will foster fidelity to prayer, the Sacraments (especially faithful participation in the Sunday Mass) and the teachings of the Church. This is a formation in Christ that will in turn, engage and shape the culture.
The Director of Catholic Identity and Mission:
1. Will champion the formation of Catholic School Administrators, Teachers, Staff, and Students to love and live the inspired Word of God in a deep and vibrant prayer life that sets the foundation for future Catholic saints in all walks of life. The Director of Catholic Identity and Mission will have a charism and developed talent for communicating in a compelling way the fullness of the teachings of the Catholic Church in a way that inspires, motivates, and leads all constituencies.
2. Will lead the initial and ongoing Catholic Religious Formation of administrators, teachers, and staff through formation tracks on Franciscan University's Catechetical Institute so that all Catholic school administrators and teaching faculty (certified or pending certification; Catholic or non-Catholic) can teach students by centering all aspects of school life in the person of Jesus Christ and the mission of Mercy of the Church Christ founded. The Director of Catholic Identity and Mission will also assist principals in leading their faculty and staff in yearly ongoing religious formation tracks.
3. Will support teachers and principals in the use of the Word of Life Series and Diocesan Religion Curriculum Map so they can champion young Catholics to be vibrant witnesses to their faith through study, prayer, and service. Collaborate with the Bishops Delegate to the Department of Education to build a diocesan religion assessment.
4. Will collaborate with the Diocesan Religion Curriculum Lead to champion age-appropriate Catholic Apologetics through mini-curricula, lesson plans, and materials to mark and celebrate important initiatives and feast days in the life of the local, national, and universal Church. (for example: Eucharistic Revival, Jubilee Year, Catholic Schools Week, Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus) This will help students develop the ability to experience, articulate and live their Catholic faith and to prepare them to be courageous public square Catholics.
5. Will collaborate with Pastors and Principals to offer retreats and experiences of prayer for both teachers and students.
6. In coordination with the Bishops Delegate to the Department of Education, pastors and the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, develop strategies and best practices to significantly increase the participation of Catholic school families at weekly Mass. Assist pastors and principals in creating a vibrant Eucharistic evangelization, catechesis, and culture in each school.
7. Will assist each school in continuing a program of Missionary Discipleship to provide age-appropriate experiences for each student to grow in what it means to be a Catholic in and for the world, integrating faith, global awareness, and authentic living of the Gospel of Human Life and Catholic Social Teaching, especially through collaboration and partnership with Catholic Charities of Long Island and Catholic Health.
8. Will collaborate with the Office for the Protection of Children & Young People to ensure all administrators, teachers, staff, and students remain in compliance with Diocesan and National Safe Environment Requirements.
9. Is publicly and privately faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church as contained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Code of Canon Law as interpreted by the Diocesan Bishop.
Qualifications:
1. Bachelor's degree or higher in Education, Catholic Theology or Catechetics, or a related field
2. Classroom experience teaching in Catholic elementary schools (at least 3-5 years)
3. Strong Catholic faith and practice; ability to articulate this in a range of contexts
4. A charism and developed talent for communicating in a compelling way the teachings of the Catholic Church in a way that inspires, motivates, and leads all constituencies.
5. Understanding of the role of Catholic education in the mission of the Church
6. Willingness to challenge the status quo and embrace change to create a vibrant Catholic culture in every school
7. Background and interest in religious education and faith formation of students. A strong background in pastoral theology and apologetics is desirable.
8. Experience in the design and implementation of a rigorous curriculum of Catholic religious education
9. Interest in promoting workshops, retreats, prayer experiences, and service projects
10. Familiarity with the culture and traditions of the Catholic Church
11. Able to articulate and communicate the content of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Salary Range: $65,000 to $80,000
Qualified candidates should send a Letter of Interest and Resume to:
jobs@drvcschools.org
Pamela Sanders
Superintendent of Schools
Department of Education - Diocese of Rockville Centre
128 Cherry Lane
Hicksville, NY 11801
