200 - Faith Formation Leadership
The Value Sought
A Christian community characterized by mutual respect, charity and justice.
201.00 Each parish will have a designated Faith Formation leader(s) to assist the pastor.
202.00 The Faith Formation leader(s) is a member of the Catholic faith and models this tradition in both words and lifestyle. This policy is further explained by the document Catholic Practice Standards:
https://www.eriercd.org/images/sections/religiouseducation/ff_302CathPracform.pdf
203.00 Faith Formation leaders will be assigned a level of certification by the diocesan Department of Faith Formation based on the Faith Formation Guidelines revised May 3, 1993 and updated in 2022.
204.00 Faith Formation leaders must meet current requirements identified by the Diocesan Policy for the Protection of Children.
https://www.eriercd.org/childprotection/
204.10 No parishes will host catechetical classes in homes.
205.00 Every parish will have a confidential personnel file for the Faith Formation leader(s) which contains all appropriate records as defined by current diocesan policy.
Personnel File contents for Religious Education Leaders
210.00 The Faith Formation leader serves, under the direction of the pastor, as the educational administrator in the parish for programs outside the parish school (if one exists).
Some additional information to assist leaders:Month by Month tasks of a Religious Educator
211.00 The Faith Formation leader will ensure that all materials presented under the auspices of the parish Faith Formation program are in conformity with Church teaching. All programs in use must be diocesan approved publishers and programs.
211.10 The Faith Formation leader will supervise catechists to ensure that they are covering the Diocesan Curriculum and meet the standards of 211.00.
220.00 Faith Formation leaders will meet Diocesan certification standards.
Titles for religious educators used by the diocese
221.00 The designated Faith Formation leader(s) will have as a minimum the credentials to meet Diocesan standards for an Administrator of Faith Formation. Those who do not yet have these credentials must be enrolled in an approved certification program within one year from the time of hire.
230.00 Faith Formation leaders will enter into a professional agreement with the parish.
Professional Agreement Template
231.00 The elements of a Professional Agreement shall include a job description and a process for the completion of an annual review. Examples can be obtained from the diocesan Human Resource or Faith Formation department.
232.00 Lay Faith Formation leaders will be compensated, at least minimally, in accordance with the Diocesan salary.
232.10 Lay Faith Formation leaders will receive a benefit package in accordance with Diocesan guidelines.
232.20 Religious working in the capacity of a parish Faith Formation leader will be compensated at the Diocesan salary and benefit scale for Religious.
233.00 Once a year Faith Formation leaders will have a formal documented performance review initiated and performed by their immediate supervisor based on their job description.
Exempt employee evaluation form (Diocesan)
Non-exempt employee evaluation form (Diocesan)
234.00 Religious working in the capacity of a parish Faith Formation leader will follow hiring guidelines established by the Director for the Office for Religious.
235.00 Faith Formation leaders will have access to Diocesan due process in the event of an employment dispute and are required to use this process before any non-canonical process.
240.00 Faith Formation leaders are required to participate in yearly Continuing Education and Formation.
241.00 Faith Formation leaders will complete at least seven contact hours of academic continuing education per year. Academic continuing education is achieved through courses, workshops or conferences in theology, methodology or related subjects. [A contact hour is defined as participation in a learning environment excluding breaks, lunch, etc.] This requirement will be stated explicitly in the contract between the Faith Formation leader and the parish and will be paid for by the parish or funds paid to the Faith Formation leader specifically for this purpose.
Resources for continuing education
Continuing education/Spiritual formation recording form
242.00 Faith Formation leaders will participate in a retreat or other spiritual Formation program each year. This requirement will be stated explicitly in the contract between the Faith Formation leader and the parish.
Resources for continuing education
Continuing education/Spiritual formation recording form
250.00 Faith Formation Leaders are to know and adhere to all provisions of Diocesan policy.
251.00 The Faith Formation leader will obtain a completed Class Planning Schedule Form from each catechist for each year.
Class planning form for catechists
252.00 Faith Formation leaders will oversee the training of all catechists and volunteers concerning the current Diocesan Policy for the Protection of Children. Diocesan resources for the Protection of Children and Youth
252.10 Faith Formation leaders will ensure all catechists and volunteers have received the training and clearances required by the diocesan Policy for the Protection of Children and oversee catechists’ and volunteers’ adherence to the current Diocesan Policy for the Protection of Children. https://www.eriercd.org/childprotection/
253.00 Faith Formation leaders will oversee the training and adherence of all catechists concerning the diocesan Blood Pathogens Policy.
Diocesan Policy for Blood PathogensBlood Pathogens In-service form
Blood Pathogens incident reporting form