Catholic Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE)
Location: Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), Twentynine Palms, CA
Position Type: Contract (Full-Time)
Reports To: Director, Religious Ministries Directorate (RMD)
Clearance Required: Background Check (local, state, and federal)
Work Schedule: Includes evenings, weekends, and holidays as required
Contract Duration: Base year with potential option years
Position Overview:
The Catholic Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) will serve under the Religious Ministries Directorate (RMD) at the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command (MAGTFTC) / Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), Twentynine Palms, CA. The CRE supports the Director RMD and Catholic Chaplains (contracted or active duty) in planning, coordinating, and implementing Catholic religious education, worship, and ministry programs in accordance with Navy Chaplain Corps and the Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS) guidelines.
Key Responsibilities:
Liturgical Support & Mass Coordination
Schedule, train, and coordinate volunteers for liturgical roles (e.g., Lectors, Altar Servers, Musicians, Eucharistic Ministers).
Prepare and distribute the weekly Catholic bulletin and announcements.
Maintain and submit monthly Liturgical Ministry Reports.
Coordinate seasonal chapel decor and weekly altar flowers using Religious Offering Funds (ROF).
Maintain a master liturgical calendar and prepare charitable donation cover letters.
Religious Education Programs
Recruit, train, and schedule volunteer teachers for Faith Formation classes (Pre-K to Adult).
Organize summer training for educators covering theology, curriculum, and classroom management.
Plan and conduct Sacramental preparation programs: First Communion, Confirmation, OCIA, Baptism, etc.
Coordinate and facilitate Vacation Bible School and Lenten programs.
Submit monthly reports detailing classes and trained volunteers.
Catechetical Ministries
Conduct FOCCUS pre-marriage inventories and Marriage Preparation classes.
Coordinate and schedule infant Baptisms, adult Baptisms, and Marriages.
Prepare necessary forms and certificates for all Sacraments.
Submit quarterly Catechetical Reports to AMS and COR.
Youth Ministry
Plan and organize youth outreach activities and up to four annual retreats.
Coordinate Christmas and special events for youth with CYO moderators.
Submit monthly reports detailing youth program activities.
Administrative & Program Planning
Maintain office hours and manage correspondence, reports, and documents.
Attend weekly ministry planning meetings with the Director RMD.
Prepare weekly Planned Ministry Objective reports as requested.
Manage Catholic Religious Offering Fund sub-account as directed.
Required Qualifications:
Practicing Roman Catholic in good standing, with a letter of recommendation from their pastor and an additional priest.
Minimum of two years of experience in Catholic religious education or ministry.
Minimum six months experience as a Lector or other liturgical volunteer.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Typing speed of at least 40 WPM.
Ability to coordinate volunteers, manage schedules, and meet deliverables.
Must obtain and maintain:
Basic Catechist Certification (within 180 days of hire)
Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist (EME) certification (within 180 days of hire)
FOCCUS Facilitator qualification (within 180 days of hire)
Must pass a comprehensive background check, including local, state, and national criminal history, as required by DoD policy for child contact roles.
Work Environment & Conditions:
Work is primarily conducted on-site at the Chapel and associated facilities at MCAGCC.
Must be available for evening, weekend, and holiday services and events.
Limited telework may be approved at the Commanding Officer’s discretion.
Local travel (within 50 miles) may be required but is not reimbursed.
Deliverables:
Monthly and quarterly reports (Liturgical, Education, Youth, Catechetical)
Weekly bulletins and ministry planning documentation
Master calendar, donation cover letters, and other administrative deliverables