Parish Website (http://www.oldstpats.org)
The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 216 parishes in Cook County and Lake County, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 13,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region's largest nonprofit social service agency. The Archdiocese also has one of the country's largest seminaries. The Archdiocese's 150+ elementary and secondary schools comprise one of the largest U.S. private school systems. Its schools have received 96 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards.
Old St. Patrick’s Church is a vibrant Catholic community of more than 8500 active members, with a mission to answer God’s call through radical inclusivity, beautiful worship, and transformative kinship. Old St. Patrick’s affirms that young people are an integral part of the Body of Christ, the present as well as the future of our Church. The Director of Youth Ministry is a creative, committed Roman Catholic who will lead the Foundations Youth Ministry program, accompanying teens as they grow in faith and Christian discipleship shaped by the Old St. Patrick’s Vision: Live our Faith. Heal the World. The Director of Youth Ministry will plan and facilitate youth group meetings, retreats, and service-learning trips, leading teams of young adult volunteers and teen leaders.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Youth Ministry
- Plan, execute, and evaluate bimonthly programs related to formation, discipleship, liturgy, and social justice as the staff leader of Foundations, Old St. Patrick’s Youth Ministry for high school-aged teenagers
- Plan and lead annual week-long Summer Worktour service trips, accompanying teens across the country to grow in faith and justice
- Plan and lead twice-annual overnight retreats for Foundations teens
- Recruit, train, and lead a team of young adult volunteers to assist in planning, facilitating, and chaperoning Sunday meetings, Worktour trips, and retreats
- Mentor youth in developing leadership skills; recruiting, guiding, and empowering teen leaders for small
groups, retreats, and the Foundations Teen Council
- Communicate with parents, Foundations alumni, and the broader Old St. Patrick’s community
- Manage the youth ministry budget and lead fundraising efforts including an annual Pancake Breakfast
- Ensure that Safe Environment requirements are upheld at all times, creating spaces where young people are safe and can flourish
Old St. Patrick’s Team Collaboration
- Actively participate as a member of the Old St. Patrick’s Ministry Team by serving on committees, presenting at adult faith formation events, promoting and supporting events planned by colleagues, and communicating with Old St. Patrick’s members through bulletin reflections, video messages, and social media
- Contribute to church-wide planning, programs, and events such as Holy Week, Easter, Christmas, and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations
- Maintain regular presence at Sunday Masses and support Sunday hospitality ministries
Qualifications
- A practicing Roman Catholic with knowledge of and appreciation for the Catholic faith and tradition including Catholic social teaching; commitment to the Old St. Patrick’s Mission (Answering God’s call through radical inclusivity, beautiful worship, and transformative kinship) and Vision (Live our Faith. Heal the World.)
- Excellent written and oral communication skills; the ability to hold the attention of a room of teens
- Creativity and flexibility in ministry: a readiness to try and evaluate new approaches
- Flexibility in scheduling and readiness to travel with teens: Sunday-morning youth group meetings and
four non-consecutive weeks of travel in June and July leading service-learning Worktours
- Mature knowledge of self and others manifested in the ability to develop positive relationships with diverse youth while maintaining appropriate interpersonal boundaries; the ability to receive, offer, and learn from positive and critical feedback; and the ability to collaborate effectively with staff colleagues, teens, and member-volunteers
- Ability to pass all relevant background checks and serve as a moral and spiritual role model for teens
Education / Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required; experience in education or youth ministry and/or master’s degree in theology, divinity, religious education, pastoral ministry, or related field preferred
Benefits
The Archdiocese of Chicago offers a comprehensive total rewards package to include competitive compensation and benefit programs. Information about our benefit programs is available here (https://www.archchicago.org/documents/70111/4987905/Benefits+Summary/ddf8b594-5996-42a7-931a-e10f178df11e).
This position has an annualized salary range of - $50,000 - $55,000. An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on many factors including but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and organizational needs.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
