St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Fredericksburg, Virginia is seeking a full-time Assistant Director of Youth Ministry. The candidate will be under the supervision of the Pastor and Director of Youth Ministry. The position requires close collaboration with the Director in guiding the overall ministry to teens in 6th-12th grade, including the coordination of weekly and bi-weekly activities, retreats for middle and high school students, Diocesan WorkCamp and other annual events, and assistance with the youth Confirmation programs. The position includes administrative tasks, event planning, and coordination of schedules.
Necessary Qualifications
Practicing Roman Catholic, able to participate in the full sacramental life of the Church and with a commitment to live a life that gives witness to the joy of a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Faithful to the magisterial teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
Hands-on understanding of catechesis and evangelization with the ability to articulate and teach the Catholic faith to youth in a compelling manner.
Able to inspire youth to fall in love with Jesus Christ and develop a culture of discipleship within the parish community.
Willingness to work in evenings and on weekends as events require.
Minimum qualifications include a college degree.
Desired Knowledge and Skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Strong organizational skills, an attention to detail, and the ability to plan ahead.
Ability to create, track and process documents, spreadsheets, and presentations using Microsoft Office products.
Ability to use social media, phone calls, email, Flocknote, and other tools for safe and clear communication with youth and adults according to Diocesan Safe Environment policies.
Ability to foster teamwork and collaborate with parents, teens, and volunteers.
Willingness to travel for required events, retreats, WorkCamp, conferences, mission trips etc.
Bilingual (Spanish & English) a plus!
Prior experience with youth mentorship, and youth ministry in particular, a plus!
All serious candidates please submit a cover letter and resume to the following:
As today is the feast of Christ the King, expect to holler “Viva!” at Mass as the response whenever I say, “Viva Christo Rey!” And if you are at another Mass, but see me in the parking lot, don’t be afraid to give a shout out for the King of the Universe!
The Kingship of Jesus Christ is not a political slogan to be adopted and formed to our grasping for earthly power. It is precisely the opposite, a submission of our minds and hearts to the divine wisdom of the Lord incarnate! Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Ignorance of Jesus is ignorance of everything necessary.
Why do I so often exhort you to take an hour of adoration every week? Because even attending Mass every week without a life of prayer is like going to your own wedding and not knowing the person you are marrying. Having a real, enduring, and profound prayer life means embracing the difficult struggle of prayer.
I leave the rest of this week’s column to St. Alphonsus Ligori:
“Jesus Christ finds means to console a soul that remains with a recollected spirit before the Most Blessed Sacrament, far beyond what the world can do with all its feasts and pastimes. Oh, how sweet a joy it is to remain with faith and tender devotion before an altar, and converse familiarly with Jesus Christ, who is there for the express purpose of listening to and graciously hearing those who pray to him; to ask his pardon for the displeasures which we have caused him; to represent our wants to him, as a friend does to a friend in whom he places all his confidence; to ask him for his graces, for his love, and for his kingdom; but above all, oh, what a heaven it is there to remain making acts of love towards that Lord who is on the very altar praying to the Eternal Father for us, and is there burning with love for us. Indeed that love it is which detains him there, thus hidden and unknown, and where he is even despised by ungrateful souls! But why should we say more? “Taste and see.”
I am so excited that the adoration chapel construction is shaping up! It will be a while before we get the chapel fully decorated, because the sacred furnishings are on order and not expected to be ready until early next year.
But first, we gotta get through Advent which starts next Sunday. This means the return of the Advent Candlelight Masses at 7pm Sunday night Mass. The dates for this are: November 30, December 7, 14, 21, and 28! We will turn down the lights and add more candles and get into the advent (and Christmas) mood!
