Associate Formation Campus Minister

Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: 

St. Mary’s Catholic Center seeks a highly motivated and relationship-driven Associate Formation Campus Minister to support and expand our catechumenal and formational efforts, particularly in response to the significant growth of our OCIA and Marriage Preparation programs and the need for deeper, more relational formation environments. This role exists to come alongside the current Formation Campus Minister by working together to come up with creative administrative and pastoral solutions to lead 2 large OCIA/Confirmation classes as well as revamping the formation of Table Leaders through intentional relationship, habit formation, and the development of pastoral skills. 

The Associate Formation Campus Minister will help advance a broader cultural shift at St. Mary’s: moving from formation primarily driven by information and organizational involvement to formation rooted in relationship, shared life, and the cultivation of the “art of living.” The ideal candidate is someone who desires to walk closely with students, invest early and consistently in their formation, and help build structures that foster prayer, communion, and mission in ordinary life.

The Associate Formation Campus Minister reports directly to the Director of Campus Ministry and works in close collaboration with the Formation Campus Minister.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:

St. Mary’s Catholic Center at Texas A&M University has the mission to form apostles for the Church and the world. We are a ministry of the New Evangelization who believe in exercising a dynamic orthodoxy, faithful to the Church’s instruction, engaging and fervent, in a manner that reaches the hearts of the faithful and the unchurched. The Associate Formation Campus Minister is a member of the pastoral team at St. Mary’s Catholic Center. An important value of our parish staff is reliance on prayer, thus we enjoy the opportunity to begin each day of work in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. 

Ministerial Character

The Pastor is the visible principle and foundation of unity in the parish of St. Mary’s Catholic Center at Texas A&M University which the Bishop has entrusted to him.  He makes Christ’s mission present and enduring in the parish.  In order to fulfill his mission, the Pastor employs suitable, chosen collaborators (clerics, religious, or lay people).  He shares with them his mission and entrusts various responsibilities to them.

Positions employed at St. Mary’s Catholic Center at Texas A&M University help to extend the ministry of the Pastor in particular ways as outlined in the job description.  Therefore, the employee in this position is closely connected to and assists the Pastor in the performance of his ministry and thereby engages in ministry for the Church.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: 

The Associate Formation Campus Minister facilitates and leads one of the two parallel OCIA classes, invests and leads a training program for Table Leaders, and helps facilitate the Water to Wine experiences in addition to other teaching-focused events.  As a member of the pastoral team, the minister will collaborate to address the needs of the Center, working in a spirit of teamwork and shared vision. 

• As an integral part of your ministry for the Church as carried out in this position, support and uphold the philosophy of Catholic ministry and the mission of St. Mary’s Catholic Center at Texas A&M University in both your professional and personal life.

• Act as a witness to Gospel values by modeling the teachings of the Catholic Church.

• Continuously grow in your ministry by participating in religious ceremonies, training sessions, and reflection activities as directed.

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

General

• Meet bi-weekly with the Director of Campus Ministry to ensure ministries align with the mission and vision of St. Mary’s pastoral plan and to receive pastoral support.
• Be available to assist other Pastoral Team members with ministries and projects as needed
• Support development efforts to contribute to the growth of St. Mary’s and facilitate unified service across various departments of the Student Center.
• Supervising and mentoring a Ministry student intern.

OCIA & Confirmation

• Lead a parallel OCIA cohort alongside the Director of Formation in response to increased enrollment and demand.
• Provide consistent pastoral accompaniment and relational formation for catechumens and candidates.
• Help design and implement OCIA structures that integrate prayer, community, and mission into the catechetical process.
• Support the planning and execution of rites, catechetical sessions, and retreat opportunities in collaboration with liturgical ministers.
• Assist with the recruitment, training, and ongoing formation of catechists and table leaders.
• Serve as a liaison with the Diocesan Religious Education Office as needed.

Table Leader & Leader Formation

• Develop and implement deeper formation pathways for OCIA table leaders, emphasizing trust, relational investment, and lived Christian witness.
• Move leader formation beyond information delivery to include:
  • Regular personal accompaniment
  • Habit formation in prayer, communion, and mission
  • Integration of faith into ordinary life
• Help form leaders earlier in their college experience, not only in upperclass years, to foster long-term growth and stability.
• Address gaps in formation that often arise when students rely primarily on peer culture or online influences.

Marriage Preparation

• Assist with the intake of couples into the marriage catechumenate by completing the prenuptial questionnaire
• Facilitate the Prepare & Enrich assessment with some couples
• Assist with the administration of our biannual Water to Wine course
• Contribute to formation opportunities for sponsor couples
• Assist with leadership and facilitation of the Dating with Purpose class
• Assist with the implementation of the Marriage Catechumenate

Teaching & Formation Events

• Contribute to the religious education of students and parishioners by periodically teaching classes and speaking at formation events.
• Assist with formation-focused initiatives such as retreats or teaching programs as assigned by the Director of Formation.

QUALIFICATIONS    

• An excellent grasp of the doctrines and norms of the Church, as distinguished from current theological thought and trends
• Excellent knowledge of Sacred Scripture
• Familiarity with the liturgical norms and practices of the Church
• Excellent knowledge of catechetical methods and pedagogical considerations
• Thorough knowledge of the Rites of Christian Initiation and the guidelines for their implementation
• Familiarity with Canon Laws concerning the initiation of adults and children, marriage and annulment, and general administration of the sacraments
• Awareness of counseling issues common among young adults (e.g. substance abuse, adjustment disorder, grief, sexual assault and abuse, anxiety and depression), particularly symptomology and resources for referral
• A professional demeanor that includes the ability to set appropriate personal boundaries without being aloof, uncaring, or unapproachable
• A sense of personal integrity – keeping commitments, dealing honestly and respectfully with all persons, a commitment to personal growth and spiritual development
• Excellent administrative skills to track attendance, paperwork, payments, contracts, and emails
• Preference will be given to candidates who are practicing Catholics. Any candidate must be able to support the mission of St. Mary’s Catholic Center and its role as a Catholic institution. 

EDUCATION   

• Bachelor’s degree 
• Master’s Degree in Catholic Theology, Pastoral Ministry, and/or Catechetics

EXPERIENCE   

• Working within the Catholic Community

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• Valid driver's license.
• Must maintain compliance with the Diocese of Austin Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) policies through the employment period.

COMPENSATION

The Associate Formation Campus Minister is a full time, salaried position including a full benefits package

JOB CONDITION AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is performed in a church or office setting with daily and weekly deadlines. The candidate must have flexibility and availability to be present on some nights and weekends. The Campus Minister while performing the duties of this job, is required to stand, walk, talk, reach, sit and perform repetitive motions of hands/wrists. The ability to lift and move items up to twenty pounds is required.

• All employees of the Parish are engaged in ministry and closely tied to the Pastor in the exercise of his ministry and obligations to the church. 

• The Parish is an at-will employer.

• All buildings and vehicles owned by the Parish are tobacco free.

• Working in a fast-paced environment with priorities and plans that may change rapidly.

• Working on weekends, evenings, and some holidays may be required.

• Will be exposed to religious ceremonies, conduct, and speech, including Roman Catholic Christian prayer and liturgical celebrations.  

• Will be required to adhere to established dress codes and conduct standards.