Director of Children's Faith Formation and Youth Ministry

Saint Brigid of Kildare Parish in Midland, Michigan is seeking a full-time Director of Children's Faith Formation, Sacramental Preparation, and Youth Ministry. This is a missionary position for someone who loves the Catholic faith, loves the Church, and wants to help children, youth, and families come to know Jesus Christ more deeply through prayer, sacramental life, formation, and parish belonging. Saint Brigid is looking for someone who can help build, not merely maintain. The right candidate will be faithful, joyful, organized, relational, and ready to help strengthen children's faith formation, sacramental preparation, Confirmation preparation, and middle school/high school youth ministry. The Director will oversee parish-based children's faith formation, with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd as the primary model. Saint Brigid is continuing to build CGS Levels I, II, and III in collaboration with a neighboring parish. Experience with CGS, especially Level I facilitation, is preferred, but the parish is willing to support CGS training after hiring. The Director will also oversee sacramental preparation for children and youth, including First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, OCIC, and baptismal preparation for parents. Confirmation preparation currently uses Purpose by Life Teen and is being built in collaboration with Midland Area Catholic Community parishes. A major part of this position will be rebuilding a distinctive St. Brigid middle school and high school youth ministry. The goal is to establish regular St. Brigid youth gatherings that include formation, prayer, community, service, discipleship, and opportunities for parish belonging. Collaboration with neighboring Catholic parishes will continue where fruitful, but Saint Brigid also desires a youth ministry identity rooted clearly in the life and mission of this parish. The Director will serve as the primary parish contact for parents and families involved in children's faith formation, sacramental preparation, Confirmation, OCIC, and youth ministry. Strong communication, pastoral sensitivity, and the ability to build trust with families are essential. This position is approximately 80% parish-focused and 20% school-collaborative. The Director will work closely with the Pastor, parish staff, St. Brigid School, volunteers, catechists, parents, and neighboring Midland Area Catholic Community parishes. This position does not include responsibility for adult faith formation. First-year priorities include establishing regular St. Brigid middle school and high school youth gatherings, improving parent communication, continuing to strengthen Confirmation preparation through Purpose by Life Teen, and continuing to grow Catechesis of the Good Shepherd as the parish's core children's formation model. The ideal candidate is a practicing Catholic in good standing who is committed to the teachings and sacramental life of the Church. A degree in theology, catechetics, religious education, pastoral ministry, or a related field is preferred but not required. Experience in parish faith formation, youth ministry, sacramental preparation, CGS, or volunteer formation is also preferred. This is a full-time position with benefits. The position requires a flexible schedule, including Sundays, some Saturdays, some evenings, youth trips/events, sacramental preparation gatherings, retreats, and Vacation Bible School week.