Pastoral Associate

Job Description

Pastoral Associates should be persons of strong faith, witnesses to the Good News of Jesus Christ, blessed with a deep love of the Catholic Church, knowledgeable in its teachings and committed to its mission. By their lives, their attitudes, and their ministry they can enrich the parish community even as they, themselves, are enriched through the gifts of those with whom they work or to whom they minister.

General Responsibilities for Pastoral Associate:
• Participates in the liturgical life of the parish.
• Collaborates with the parish staff in providing pastoral care for the parish community.
• Shares regularly as a member of the parish staff, in staff meetings, in parish planning, and as a resource to both paid and volunteer leadership in various areas of parish life.
• Exercises pastoral care for particular aspects of parish life.

In addition to the general responsibilities, the Pastoral Associate may be assigned some of the following areas of pastoral care:

Worship and Spirituality:
• Work creatively and cooperatively towards the formation of a lively, faith-filled worshipping community.
• Assist with liturgical functions, to lead prayer services, and to provide other devotional opportunities when needed.
• Lead Wake Services and Burial Services as needed.
• Administer the Eucharist as an extraordinary minister as needed.
• Organize and implement programs of spiritual enrichment.
• Be available for pastoral conversations and spiritual support.

Parish Outreach:
• Discern, create, and promote ways through which the parish can reach out in service to its own members and to those outside the parish community.
• Be available to visit hospitals and nursing homes.
• Represent the parish at community gatherings.
• Work with staff to offer new parishioner gatherings.

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA):
• Establish a yearly calendar of meetings with time and location.
• Facilitate weekly gatherings for catechesis, prayer and discussion.
• Meet with interested candidates to share the process of OCIA.
• Organize liturgical Rites and Rituals.
• Assist candidates in gathering required paperwork and ensure proper recording.

Healing and Assistance Ministry:
• Facilitate opportunities for healing in the parish.
• Serve as staff liaison for the Care Ministry providing support to families who are grieving. This includes but is not limited to:
• Bereavement support groups and opportunities.
• Masses and special prayer services.
• Support and development of volunteers in the Care Ministry.

Adult Enrichment:
• Provide formation opportunities for laity by assisting them in understanding and living out more fully their Baptismal call to holiness and service in the Church and in the world.
• Develop prayer groups and organize days of recollection and retreats.
• Coordinate Marriage Preparation Ministry
• Weddings are to be scheduled in coordination with the parish and pastor's calendars. Details are provided to the other ministries involved (Sacristan, Music Director, Office Manager).
• Ensure couples meet with pastor for initial appointment, complete the Prepare and Enrich Inventory and are assigned a mentor couple
• Staff liaison for the Pre-Cana Team and logistics of the Pre-Cana day.
• Work with pastor and staff to provide Catechesis/Spiritual enrichment during key times during the Liturgical Year.
• Offer educational opportunities, topical classes and/or bible study.
• Offer a yearly Women's Retreat.

Organization and Administration
• Work with the pastor in carrying out the ordinary administration of the parish.
• Create an environment where volunteers are invited into ministry in a way that enables them to grow in an understanding of their faith, and to live out more fully their Baptismal call to serve.
• Complete and submit annual reports such as the Status Animarum/VIRTUS.
• Work with staff members to ensure an optimal safe environment for children and the vulnerable by assuring all volunteers are VIRTUS trained and in compliance with diocesan requirements.

Qualifications of a Pastoral Associate:
In order that the Pastoral Associate meet the expectations and responsibilities of the role the following qualifications are essential:
1. Masters in Divinity
2. Higher degree is recommended but not required
3. Prior experience in parish leadership and management

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:
• The pastor may assign additional duties and responsibilities at his discretion as the need arises.

Pay:
• This is a salaried position $45,000 - $50,000 with benefits, through the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.

Please submit resume with cover letter and references to:

Fr. Timothy W. Gareau
Pastor
Saint Colette Catholic Church
330 W. 130th St.
Brunswick, OH 44212
tgareau@dioceseofcleveland.org

About the Employer

Saint Colette Catholic Church is a vibrant, family-centered parish of 2,100 families in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, Ohio. Since our humble beginning in a neighborhood house, Saint Colette Catholic Church has grown exponentially in recent years, establishing a vital Catholic presence in Brunswick, Ohio - helping families grow in their relationship with the Lord. We as a parish are focused on communion with Jesus Christ, being an inviting home for individuals and families, Eucharistic Worship, and inspiring saints in our community. We have been blessed with many generous parishioners, dedicated priests, and committed volunteers who strive to help each other grow in holiness and serve the spiritual needs of our parishioners and larger community.