The DRE designs, develops, directs and evaluates the total parish religious education program.

Competencies

a. Program Development

b. Catechist Development

c. Administration and Management

Education (one of the following)

a. MA in Theology/Religious Education or a related theological field. Six (6) credits or 60 clock hours of in-service distributed over the following areas (if not represented in the MA): administration, supervision, catechetics, educational methods.

b. MA in Education or Education Administration. Twenty-four (24) semester credits in Theology and Catechetics which includes courses in the following areas: Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, Liturgy/Sacraments, Systematics, Morality.

c. MA in an unrelated field. Twenty-four (24) semester credits in Theology and Catechetics which includes courses in the following areas: Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, Liturgy/Sacraments. Six (6) credits or sixty (60) clock hours of in-service distributed over the following areas (if not represented in the MA): administration, supervision, catechetics, educational methods .

Catechist Recognition

Recognition as a Catechist at the advanced level or its equivalent.

Experience

Three (3) years of supervised catechetical experience and one (1) year administrative experience (paid or volunteer).

Diocesan Policy on Sexual Abuse--Training

Participation in the educational sessions on the Diocesan Policy on Response to Child Abuse and Adult Sexual Misconduct (Protecting Youth and Those who Serve Them.)

Job Description

Directors of Religious Education (DREs) have a variety of duties and tasks. Their primary tasks are training, evaluating and encouraging the ongoing development of catechists. Other duties and tasks include:

a. articulating a vision of religious education within the parish community

b. generating appropriate goals and strategies to implement the vision

c. developing and administering programs of religious education for children and youth

d. assisting the parish community in the recruitment of catechists

e. acquiring and maintaining appropriate and sufficient resources for religious education

f. collaborating with staff and other parish ministers

g. communicating with the parish community

h. administering the budget for religious education

i. evaluating the programs of religious education

j. pursuing his/her own ongoing professional development