Position Description 

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Birmingham, Alabama is currently seeking a Director of Youth Ministry (DYM). The DYM advocates for, coordinates, and provides services related to the pastoral care, formation, support, and networking of youth (6th-12th grade) in conjunction with parents, core team (CT) members, Director of Religious Education(DRE), and parish priest. The DYM facilitates collaboration and communication with the parish and local Catholic schools, in order to assist youth in developing and maintaining an active role in parish life. The DYM works to advance the mission of the Church in forming missionary disciples and facilitates formation opportunities with a specific focus on the needs of middle and high school youth within the parish. 

Specific duties 

● Engage in Relational Ministry with youth, parents, and CT members. 

Cultivate spiritual and human formation for youth through, but not limited to: 

■ Coordinate youth gatherings (catechetical nights, praise and worship, social events, etc) 

■ Seek opportunities to involve youth in parish life 

■ Implement and model a variety of prayer opportunities 

■ Provide service opportunities with an emphasis on Catholic social teaching 

■ Participate in catechesis for sacramental preparation as needed (DYM should be directly involved in Confirmation catechesis per USCCB recommendations) 

■ Other specific parish needs as identified by the pastor ○ Cultivate spiritual formation for parents through, but not limited to: 

■ Involve parents in faith formation for their teenagers 

■ Provide resources that address the needs of parents raising Catholic teenagers 

■ Encourage community building among parents of active youth 

■ Other specific parish needs as identified by the pastor 

Cultivate spiritual formation for CT members through, but not limited to: 

■ Provide ongoing, relevant, and accessible training opportunities for effective ministry to teenagers 

■ Support the development and maintenance of an active prayer life 

■ Create team building opportunities 

■ Other specific parish needs as identified by the pastor 

● Assist in the recruitment and selection of CTs for parish youth group(s). 

Extend personal invitations to active and passionate Catholic adults as a response to our baptismal vocation to go forth and create disciples. 

Network with other Catholic groups and organizations within the parish. 

● Provide regular programming for parish youth that seeks to promote rootedness in Christ through the Eucharist, the Blessed Mother, and Catholic Social Teaching, providing the Sacraments whenever possible and appropriate. 

Plan and implement events for teens, parents, and/or families, with an emphasis on the inclusion of the Hispanic Catholic community, such as: 

■ Multi-parish youth group gatherings 

■ XLT Praise & Worship nights 

■ Catholic Youth on Mission 

■ Eucharistic Youth Congress, etc. 

Promote national opportunities for YMs and/or teens, such as: 

■ March for Life 

■ National Catholic Youth Conference 

■ Catholic Youth Minister Convention 

■ World Youth Day, etc. 

Key Working Relationships: Director of Youth Ministry at the Diocese of Birmingham, DRE, Parish Pastor, Administrative staff, Deacons, etc. 

Supervision: Supervised by: Parish Pastor, Parochial Vicar, or Pastoral Associate. 

Supervises: CT members 

Job Specifications 

Educational Background: (one or more of the following, completed or in-process) 

● An undergraduate or graduate degree in theology or religious education (preferred, but not required) 

Experience: 

● Two or more years of recent youth leadership in a parish, diocese, or other youth-oriented Catholic apostolate (preferred, but not required). 

Administrative Experience: 

● Executive responsibility as a Catholic youth leader; 

● Experience in leading and training adult volunteers