Ministerial Associate

Job Description

Position Summary
The Lay Ministry Associate supports the life and mission of the parish by fostering community, strengthening existing ministries, and developing new opportunities for parishioners to grow in faith and service with an emphasis on serving adults and young adults. This role is ideal for a motivated, collaborative individual with a strong grounding in Catholic theology, pastoral practice, and community-building. This position is full-time, but can be made part-time, depending on the abilities and qualities of the candidate. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Key Responsibilities
Community Building
• Coordinate and support parish community building efforts.
• Encourage parishioner engagement by creating welcoming, inclusive environments that foster connection and belonging, especially for young adults, new parishioners, and new Catholics.

Ministry Oversight
• Provide supervision, guidance, and logistical office support to existing parish ministries, ensuring they remain mission aligned, well-organized, and equipped.
• Participate in parish staff meetings and pastoral planning.
• Assist with parish communications, including bulletin submissions, website updates, and event promotion.
• Recruit, train, and accompany volunteer leaders for existing and new ministries; maintain regular communication with ministry leaders and offer ongoing formation as needed.

Ministry Development
• Help coordinate retreats, service projects, workshops, and parish events.
• Collaborate with parish leadership to identify pastoral needs within the parish community and develop new ministries or initiatives in response.
• Offer season-specific faith engagement for adults and families during Lent and Advent.
• Evaluate ministry effectiveness annually and recommend improvements or new approaches.

Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Catholic theology, pastoral ministry, religious studies, or a related field (or equivalent formation).
• 3-5 years of experience preferred in parish ministry, pastoral work, or relevant management/leadership.
• Flexibility with working on weekends and some weeknights for parish events and liturgical seasons.
• Present at the parish on most Sundays (especially between September and June)
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a pastoral team.
• Commitment to the teachings, mission, and sacramental life of the Catholic Church.
• Warm, approachable, and able to build trust with parishioners of all ages.
• Self motivated and capable of managing multiple responsibilities.

Personal Qualities
• Personal life of prayer, sacramental engagement, and discipleship.
• Openness to supervision and willingness to grow through feedback and formation.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• A spirit of initiative, creativity, and pastoral sensitivity.

About the Employer

To make Jesus better known, loved, and served.