The InterCongregational Collaborative Novitiate (ICCN) is seeking an experienced religious formator for the position of Co-Director. They would begin in July 2026 and work collaboratively and flexibly with another formator and the Board.

The Novice Directors are responsible for the planning, implementing, and oversight of the ICCN located in Chicago, IL. The Co-directors cultivate a holistic living/learning environment conducive to prayer, study, ministry, and community living. 

This is a live-in, full-time role located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. Hyde Park is a hub of ministry and theology for not just Catholics or Christians, but for all kinds of faith communities. The ICCN is surrounded by nearby Association for Chicago Theological School (ACTS) institutions: Catholic Theological Union, Theological Seminary, University of Chicago Divinity School, McCormick Theological Seminary, Bexley-Seabury Seminary, and the Lutheran School of Theology.

To receive a copy of the full job description and learn more about the application process, please fill out and submit the form below.

Those who have the essential skills and experience (see below), as well as passion for accompanying women in the novitiate year of initial formation, are encouraged to contact the Board Co-Chairs by email for the full job description and information on the application process: Barbara Hagedorn, SC at bah@srcharitycinti.org and Katherine Gray, CSJ at kgray@csjorange.org.

The search will continue until the position is filled, but preference will be given to applications received by January 31, 2025.

Essential Skills and Experience

  • Ability and passion to carry out the mission of the ICCN: 

    Mission of the InterCongregational Collaborative Novitiate is to provide a quality novitiate experience with peers for novices from multiple congregations. The program will facilitate ongoing discernment in a holistic and mentoring environment that fosters spiritual, relational, intellectual, and intercultural growth and development; nurtures individual charisms and the charism of religious life; and prepares novices to live vowed apostolic religious life.

  • Perpetually professed
  • Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
  • Additional coursework or on-the-job training in formation and related areas
  • Valid driver’s license and willingness to drive in Chicago area
  • Vocation/formation ministry experience, spiritual direction or personal growth development work or other comparable experience preferred
  • Competency in collaboration, inter-congregational work, cultural sensitivity and honoring diversity and broad knowledge of religious life
  • Good communication skills that include: nonviolent listening and speaking, writing, presenting 
  • Good organizational and planning skills that enable one to successfully manage a program

Desirable personal qualities

  • self-awareness, 
  • investment in spiritual development and ongoing formation, 
  • responsive, accessible and approachable, 
  • sound judgement, 
  • consistency and adaptability, accountability, 
  • able to model respectful community living

Questions about the position and the selection process can be directed to the Board’s Co-chairs, Sr. Katherine Gray, CSJ (email) or Sr. Barbara Hagedorn, SC (email).