Director of Religious Education

by | Jun 2, 2026 | News

Position Summary

The Director of Religious Education (DRE) leads Annunciation Parish’s faith formation program for children and families in grades 1 through 10, including sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. The program is family-centered, parent-led in its sacramental model, and built on a partnership among the DRE, a team of volunteer catechists and mentors, and the families of the parish. The DRE works closely with the DREs of St. Vincent de Paul (Springbrook) and Immaculate Conception (East Aurora) on joint family-of-parishes initiatives, especially Confirmation preparation.

Reporting and Scope

Reports to:  the Business Manager of the WHEAT Family of Parishes, with pastoral supervision from the Pastor of Annunciation Parish.

Advised by:  the Pastoral Associate for Ministry, Deborah Keenan, on matters of catechesis and parish ministry.

Coordinates with:  the DREs of the other two WHEAT parishes for joint sacramental programs, retreats, and family-wide initiatives.

Oversees:  a team of approximately 15–20 volunteer catechists, mentors, and aides across grades 1–10.

Also serves as:  the parish’s Local Safe Environment Coordinator for the faith formation program.

Essential Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Catechesis

  • Plan and lead the annual faith formation program — approximately 24 Sunday sessions and 36 instructional hours — in accordance with the Diocese of Buffalo’s catechetical framework.
  • Oversee the Alive in Christ curriculum (grades 1–6), the Chosen program (grades 9–10), and mentor-led small discipleship groups (grades 7–8); coordinate Adaptive Catechesis for students with special needs.
  • Lead the monthly Family Faith Sessions, including coordinating volunteer speakers for the adult component.

Sacramental Preparation

  • Direct the preparation, retreats, and celebration of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation, using the parish’s parent-led Signs of Grace model.
  • Maintain candidate records, sponsor documentation, and sacramental records with the Parish Secretary and the parish sacramental book.
  • Generate Church of Baptism notification letters and sacramental certificates from the parish database following each celebration.

Volunteer Coordination and Safe Environment

  • Recruit, screen, train, support, and appreciate volunteer catechists, mentors, and aides, including hosting the annual Catechist Kickoff Meeting (August) and Catechist Appreciation Luncheon (May).
  • Serve as Local Safe Environment Coordinator: provide the annual Empowering God’s Children safety lessons to the children and record their participation, and ensure all volunteers complete diocesan requirements (Code of Conduct, Uniform Volunteer Questionnaire, background checks, Virtus training, and monthly bulletin acknowledgments).
  • Submit the annual Empowering God’s Children Compliance Report and other diocesan reporting.

Communication and Family Engagement

  • Produce a monthly parent newsletter and ongoing program communications, and maintain the faith formation section of the parish website.
  • Respond to parent inquiries promptly, generally within 24 to 48 hours, including some evenings and weekends; manage registration, tuition collection, and family communications through Flocknote.

Administration and Family-of-Parishes Coordination

  • Maintain enrollment, attendance, and sacramental dates in PDS; manage the program budget with the Business Manager; maintain the diocesan-mandated retention file; and complete year-end archival, statistical reporting, and grade promotion each May.
  • Plan and carry out joint sacramental retreats and Confirmation preparation with the DREs of St. Vincent de Paul and Immaculate Conception, coordinating consistent scheduling, communication, and policy, and taking part in regular DRE team meetings.

Required Qualifications

  • A practicing Catholic in good standing, able to support and uphold the teachings of the Catholic faith, with familiarity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Sacred Scripture, sacramental theology, and Catholic liturgical life.
  • Familiarity with — or willingness to become well acquainted with — the Church’s principal catechetical documents, including the Directory for Catechesis, the USCCB National Directory for Catechesis, and the Diocese of Buffalo’s catechetical framework.
  • A bachelor’s degree in Theology, Religious Studies, Catechetics, Education, or a related field — or an equivalent combination of education, parish ministry experience, and demonstrated competence.
  • Enrollment in the Catechetical Institute’s Parish Catechetical Leader (PCL) track, with completion within two years preferred.
  • A successful background check and completion of Virtus training prior to the start of employment.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple programs and deadlines at once.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a warm, pastoral tone suited to parent and volunteer communications.
  • The ability to recruit, support, and coordinate adult volunteers with patience and gratitude, and a firm commitment to confidentiality regarding family circumstances, sacramental records, and personnel matters.

Required Technical Skills

The DRE serves as the day-to-day technical lead for the faith formation program and supports digital tools shared across the WHEAT family of parishes. Strong technical aptitude and comfort adopting new tools are essential.

  • Required: Flocknote (registration, tuition, attendance, communications); Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms, Calendar); Virtus (volunteer compliance and reporting); and Canva (newsletters, flyers, and program materials).
  • Training provided: eCatholic (the family-of-parishes website) and Virtus; comfort updating websites is expected.
  • Preferred: prior experience with PDS or comparable parish database software.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Prior experience as a DRE, catechetical leader, Catholic school administrator, or pastoral associate; experience coordinating sacramental preparation; and experience working with volunteers in a parish or non-profit setting.
  • Familiarity with the Alive in Christ curriculum (OSV) or comparable Catholic catechetical curricula.

Working Conditions

Full-time, salaried position (40 hours per week) with a flexible schedule built around the program’s activity and event calendar; in-person work based at the parish. Sunday morning attendance is required throughout the program year (approximately late September through early May). The role also includes occasional Sunday evenings (Confirmation classes, parent meetings), Saturday mornings (sacramental retreats), Saturday afternoons (Family Session setup), and weekday evenings (make-up classes, rehearsals, parent follow-up, and meetings).

Onboarding Support

This role is thoroughly documented in a comprehensive succession binder covering the parish’s programs, calendar, sacramental preparation workflows, and diocesan compliance requirements — a resource that meaningfully eases the transition for a new DRE.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references — including at least one pastoral reference from a current or recent pastor — to Dawn Cahill, Business Manager of the WHEAT Family of Parishes, at [email protected].

With Mary, we joyfully announce: “God with us” in Jesus Christ.

Community Finance Advisory Meeting

by | Jun 2, 2026 | Parish Council, Pillar Notes

WHEAT Family

Community Finance Advisory Meeting

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Minutes

Attendees:  Fr. Bernie Nowak, WHEAT Family Pastor; Fr. Rob Canterin, Family Parochial Vicar; Dawn Cahill, Family Business Manager; Kris Di Scipio (Annunciation); Robert Hasselbeck (IC); Dave Squire, Chair, St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Parish Finance Committee; D. M. Schmidt (Annunciation Parish); Dan Mikolaczyk, SVdP Business Manager; Theresa Woodward, Business Manager, (IC}; Dan Sapierski, Trustee, SVdP; Jim Camarre, Anctn; Dorothy Austin, Trustee (AP); Michael Skrip, Trustee (AP); Tama Gresco-Sauers, Trustee, SVdP; Taylor Gavigan, (Anctn); Timothy Lafferty (IC);  Ed Bukowski, SVdP, Recording Secretary.

  1. Call to Order at 6:38 PM.

Fr. Rob led an opening prayer.

  1. Reports:
  2. Financial Reports – March– Annunciation J. Camarre:  An unexpected $100,000 bequest is keeping us above expenses. We’re to plan.

SVdP -D. Mikolaczyk: Collections are up over 8% year over year.  We received no government grants in FY26 versus FY25.  “We’re battling roof leaks … Utilities are up, e.g. natural gas. … Overall, our bottom line is up because of labor costs. …  Our Diocesan assessments decreased. …  Bottom line: Operating costs are up about $16,000.”  Fr. Bernie: “I want to know why labor costs are up.”  D. Mikolaczyk:  D. Cahill, Family Business Manager, is now on our payroll.  Also, clergy expenses, staff and health insurance are up about $28,000. “There have been no raises.”  The added 8:00 AM Mass increased clergy expenses.

IC – R. Hasselbeck: “We’re ‘in the red’ by $260,000 because of the  subsidy to the school”. 

  1. Standing Committees –  Buildings & Grounds: D. Cahill- We now have three vendors for parking lot paving.
  1. Pastor’s Report: Fr. Bernie.: Diocesan Bankruptcy Settlement: The  Industrial Revolution of the late 19th century put dollars above the human condition.  This situation has persisted to the present era. “Grooming” can take years.  On Tuesday, 26st of May, ALL Parishes in the Diocese of Buffalo will declare bankruptcy “for 72 hours”, for a $150,000,000 settlement agreed to by the claimants.  The insurance companies are contributing. This action settles all existing claims, but no new claims.  There will be a ZOOM session will all Pastors and Parish Trustees at 8:15 AM on May 26th.  Each Parish, including those closed, MUST PAY $6,000. The settlement process is similar to that of the Diocese of Rockville Center.  The creditors and victims are “enthusiastic”.  Each Buffalo Diocese Parish is a separate corporation.  Any Parish not agreeing to the settlement process “is on their own” and subject to claimant’s suits.  The creditors and claimants having agreed to terms means they waive their right to pursue further claims. The Diocese’s law firm is charging less than its usual hourly fees.
    1. Fr. Bernie.: “A new corporation (for the WHEAT Family) makes no sense; a new administration makes sense. … I’ve created 3 Liturgy Pillars” to handle the large workload for 3 Parishes. It’s  “… a hybrid model …”  One In Reach/Out Reach Pillar cannot handle the workload.  The “Pillars are very good. … Hallow is very good. … Annunciation has been chosen for the Diocesan Healing Team for victims.
  1. Old Business –
  2. Interest Accounts: IC funds are with Merrill Lynch; SVdP met representatives of the Legends Fund.  Fr. Bernie: Bishop Mike is every Parish corporation president; Fr. Karalus, Vicar–General, is vice-president; the Pastor and Trustees of each Parish must sign off on the settlement.
  1. Other:  D. Squire:  “How is the St Joseph’s Fund affected by the bankruptcy?”  Fr. Bernie: St Joseph Funds are protected.
  1. New Business: 
  1.  Computers – Next year – budget item?  D. Cahill /D. Mikolaczyk: Perhaps we could update one Parish per year.  Other requirements?
  2. Religious Education Directors – “Melissa” resigned.  We would like to hire within the Family.  Fr. Bernie: It’s “not a full time job; some Parishes have a Pastoral Minister”.  D. Cahill: Should DRE’s be a Family expense because they all work together?
  3. Update on Schools – Diocese – Fr. Bernie: There are no changes for the 26/27 school year.  We need a hybrid system. “It is a WHEAT Family School, named Immaculate Conception…. Health care is the big issue. … IC needs to get to 180 (enrollment) soon (to eliminate the need for a subsidy). … There is no leeway; the guideline is $200,000. …”
  4. Draft Budgets D. Cahill: We should review the first draft budget during the July Finance meeting, the 29th.  In November, we should review the Diocesan response. 
  1. Adjournment: 7:50 PM.   Next meeting – 6:30, July 29th, 2026.

Meeting Minutes

by | Dec 18, 2025 | InReach / OutReach, Pillar Notes, Spiritual Life

IR/OR & Spiritual Life Pillar Joint meeting

Date:  December 10, 2025

Time: 6:00pm

Location: Immaculate Conception

In Attendance:

Darya Brach (IC), Deacon Marty (SVD), Bill Broderick (SVD), Joe Morcelle (SVD), Evelyn Morcelle (SVD), Paul Murak (IC),

Consultants in Attendance:

Sharon Snyder (SVD)

Missing:

Randy Krolewicz (ANN), Cheryl Krolewicz (ANN), Gail Buehlmann (ANN), Linda Gonzalez (SVD), Grace Jaworski (ANN), Frack Lewandowski (IC), Deb Keenan (ANN), Sr. Sharon (IC), Jessica Russo (IC),

Opening Prayer was the Prayer for Renewal.

Agenda Items

1. Pillar Training Update
Those who attended the November 15, 2025 Pillar Training shared updates on Fr. Bryan’s presentation and his recommendations for areas each Family of Parishes should be focusing on. Fr. Bryan is planning a spring visit to all parishes to review progress.

2. Expanded Family Council Update
Marty and Darya have joined the Expanded Family Council and provided an overview of the council’s role and mission. It was emphasized that all parish programs should align with one of the established Pillars. Assigning an event to a Pillar does not mean the Pillar is responsible for managing the event; rather, it helps maintain a unified and accurate list of offerings within each Pillar’s scope.
The Family Council has also committed to assisting with recruiting new members for the Pillars.

3. Joint Efforts for 2026
Several collaborative initiatives for 2026 are being explored. The first is Make Every Person Count, a Diocese of Buffalo–supported structured telephone outreach program, strongly encouraged by the Diocese and Sr. Louise. Training would be provided by the Diocese, with a proposed launch in the first quarter of 2026.
The second initiative under consideration is a Life in the Spirit retreat in Fall 2026. Deacon Marty will follow up with Fr. Bernie regarding both programs and will also contact the retreat team to explore hosting it at Immaculate Conception in Fall 2026.

4. Theme Ideas for 2026
The Diocese of Buffalo is encouraging all Families of Parishes to adopt a theme for 2026. Ten themes were reviewed and narrowed down to four. The Family Council will vote on one at their January meeting:

  • One Community in Faith
  • Called Together by Christ
  • One Mission, One Spirit, One Community
  • Gathered as One Body

Closing
The meeting concluded with the Hail Mary.

Next Meeting
January 14, 2026 — location to be determined.