POSITION SUMMARY:
The Pastoral Associate is a generalist serving in an important parish leadership position. The Pastoral
Associate assists the pastor in the daily operation of the parish. This involves collaboration with the pastor
and parish staff in the overall pastoral care of the parish. This may include the direct coordination of one or
more specific ministries, e.g. sacramental planning, educational formation, pastoral ministry, and/or parish
administration. The Pastoral Associate supports and promotes collaboration among parishes within the
cluster and district as well as with the community as well as provide leadership, guidance and direction for
catechetical ministry in programs for children, youth, and families.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
(other duties may be assigned)
Faith Formation:
Provides for the planning and implementation of catechetical sessions for children
in pre-school, elementary and middle public school (ages 3-5, & grades K through 8) through
activity-centered, grade level centered and/or family centered programs
•Supervises coordinators for the catechetical programs for preschool age children (“Playways to God”), middle school students (gr. 6-8), and, the catechetical Summer program for elementary-age children (“Glad Days”)
•Provides resource and coordinating support for family centered faith sharingOpportunities within the parish
•Supervises catechists in planning lessons for all catechetical programs serving
Children in public schools and their families; supervises catechists for Breaking
Open the Word programs open to all parish children
•Provides leadership for the Parish Sacrament Teams in planning, coordinating and implementing
parish programs for Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist for children and teens;
provides leadership and training for Baptismal preparation, interviewing of new parents,
scheduling Baptisms, and supervising the Baptism team
•Represents Parish Catechetical Ministry for children at meetings of the following
groups: Diocesan Catechetical events; Parish Staff; Pastoral Ministries Staff;
Diocesan meetings pertaining to elementary and middle school Reconciliation and Eucharist teams; and, Deanery level meetings
•Provides staff leadership, program information, and resource support to the parish Catechetical
Advisory Board
•Coordinates the use of office facilities, resource and AV materials, and supplies with other
Pastoral Ministries staff members and with the school staff when appropriate
•Assists in planning and implementation of student registration, annual calendaring, inventory, supply and book ordering with all catechetical coordinators
•Maintains open lines of communication with Pastoral Ministries staff, parish staff, school staff, parents and students
•Responsible for the preparation of the Catechetical Ministry budget in collaboration
with level coordinators and other appropriate staff members
•Attend 6 hours of workshop/seminars per year to maintain Master Catechist certification and
ongoing education & formation
Adult Education and RCIA:
Priorities:
• To support the Mission Statement of St. Mary’s Parish by helping adults to celebrate the mysteries
of God’s love, strengthen one another in the Catholic faith, and share with all the good news of
God’s unconditional love
• To assist the Pastoral Council in developing the Young Adult component of the parish five-year
plan
• To encourage lay leadership in the area of adult faith formation
• To provide stimulating speakers, activities and devotional opportunities in the areas of adult
religious education and spiritual growth.
• To improve communication and hospitality in the parish and in relationship to the wider community
Responsibilities:
• Direct and coordinate the RCIA process, including scheduling and planning of all rites and
catechetical sessions, recruitment and training of sponsors and RCIA team members, interviewing
and providing continuing communication and support of Catechumens, Candidates and
Neophytes
• Work with the Spirituality Council to plan and implement speakers, missions, retreats, workshops,
classes and other activities to support the ongoing faith formation of adults at St. Mary’s
• Coordinate the Adult Confirmation process at St. Mary’s
• Provide support for the various lay-directed spiritual activities at St. Mary’s, including the Bible
Study class, the Parish Library, Small Christian Communities, Lectionary Study Group, Young
Adult Ministry and Centering Prayer Groups
• Cooperate with other staff members to plan and organize parish-wide events such as the Parish
Mission, Grief Workshop, Training Sessions for Liturgical Ministers, etc.
• Serve on the Liturgy Committee and help coordinate seasonal rites such as Evening Prayer,
Tenebrae, the Easter Vigil, etc.
Challenges:
• Young Adult Ministry: We need lay leadership from the young adults themselves as well as parish
volunteers to assist in planning and implementing activities for young adults
• RCIA Sponsors: The documents of the Catholic Church stress the fact that the initiation of adults
into the Catholic faith community is the responsibility of all the baptized. With the busy lifestyles of
our parishioners, it has become increasingly difficult to recruit sponsors (particularly men) to
sponsor our catechumens and candidates in the RCIA formation process leading to the
Sacraments of Initiation into the Catholic Church.
Education and/or Experience:
•Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) in Catechetical Ministry with 5 years experience in
coordination of catechetical programs;
•Organizational skills, computer skills, communication skills;
•Leadership and supervisory skills;
•Ability to work effectively with volunteers.
Computer Skills: Microsoft Office, ParishSoft, and Workday (must have knowledge of Workday or
be willing to learn)
How to Apply:
Please send cover letter and resume to rrodoni@stmaryslg.org or fax to 408-354-9302.