DREs, youth ministers play significant roles
By KATIE LEFEBVRE
Globe staff writer
Posted September 12, 2002

Being a DRE or Youth Minister can be a full-time job. The definition of these jobs is something that many people don't know.

"When people that work as DREs and youth ministers it is important that they are recognized as being in a ministry," said Linda Anderson, director of catechesis for the Diocese of Sioux City. "Even as a call to a vocation. People don't give them the recognition and value that those positions deserve."

The people in these ministries aren't always adequately compensated for what they do for their parish, commented Anderson. When parents or members of finance councils don't understand what the position demands, they question funding. Unfortunately, what is most often seen is the one or one and a half hour per week when everyone is there.

DREs and youth ministers are encouraged to continue their own faith formation. Church ministry classes or conferences or AMORE meetings that provide opportunities for their own learning or formation as well as resourcing and networking.

"They should be assisted in covering the expense of going to these things," said Anderson. "It is a good idea to have some type of job description because sometimes these positions aren't defined and when they aren't defined, they become the catch-all for all kinds of tasks."

For example, there might be something that needs to be done and no one is there to do it, so it gets put on the DRE to deal with. If there was a job description, the DREs wouldn't get stuck with everything.

"People in the parish at large don't understand the comprehensive role that a person takes on when they agree to be a DRE or youth minister," said Kay Morrissey, director of the office of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Sioux City. "A document has been created by which parish staff and parents and religious education board members can assess what is going on in their parish."

In a job description, not everything is always included, but then there is less that can be put on one person. There is a document that is agreed on to refer back to when something comes along that isn't part of their job. Each person can only do so much.

"We expect that the person who steps forward to be the director of religious education either has background in theology or is willing to attend courses to get that background," said Morrissey. "They need theological formation, management skills and skills for recruiting volunteers to serve as catechists."

The DREs are asked to be a resource person on an ongoing basis for the catechists to make them feel comfortable with their teachers manual and enhance that with videos or other classroom techniques. In-services for catechists and other persons interested must be provided.

"What isn't seen is the planning of prayer, calendar, seasonal events, resources as requested by catechists, suggesting use of resources beyond the book and the list goes on," said Morrissey.

The DREs are asked to make sure that all record keeping is in place, and that every catechist has signed every form required by the diocese and that there are records on each child. They are there to ensure that prayer and participation in the liturgy is in some way integrated into what happens during the year, added Morrissey.

Service is also a component that is stressed. Service in all grade levels is a part of what is going on in the parish.

"A job description would provide some boundaries and parameters for their jobs," said Anderson. "People doing the job will know what is expected of them. They can always choose to do more, but they can also say, 'this doesn't fall within my job description. This is too big of a thing to take on in the time frame that I have.'"

This is a vital position within the church. Lay leadership is needed.