Pastoral Associate

The Pastoral Associate is a key member of the Pastor's Leadership Team (PLT) and collaborates closely with the pastor in developing and implementing strategic pastoral initiatives. The Pastoral Associate is also the head of the Office of Pastoral Care and Social Ministries, leading a team of staff and volunteers with primary responsibility for providing oversight, vision, and resources to parish ministries including, but not limited to care for the Sick and Homebound, St. Michael's SHARES (the parish partnership with Catholic Charities), Respect Life, Environmental Stewardship, Knights of Columbus, and African Ancestry Ministry.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
a) Pastoral Planning and Strategy: Collaborates with the Pastor and Pastoral Council on creating and implementing strategic, parish-wide initiatives (e.g., parish participation in the national Eucharistic Revival).
b) Pastoral Care and Social Action Ministries: Works with all pastoral care and social action ministries to provide guidance and resources to ensure alignment with parish pastoral priorities and all relevant parish/diocesan guidelines.
c) Pastoral Care Desk: Oversees the operation of the Pastoral Care Desk staff and volunteers to ensure a prompt and compassionate response to the sick, homebound, bereaved, and suffering.
d) Pastoral Counseling: Depending on qualifications and experience, may be called upon to provide pastoral counseling and/or spiritual direction to those in crisis situations (walk-ins and by appointment) and connect them to other resources as appropriate.

Other Duties and responsibilities
a) Clergy Assist: Provide clergy support as needed.
b) Other Duties: As Assigned by the Pastor.

Qualifications
a) Must be practicing, fully initiated Catholic, committed to the Church's teaching and to living a life of intentional discipleship.
b) Master's in Divinity, Pastoral Ministry, Theology, or comparable experience in the field.
c) Strong abilities in project management, pastoral planning, and ability to collaborate on team projects.
d) Experience in supervising staff and volunteers.
e) Knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to learn REALM or other basic, membership software.
f) Self-leadership and direction, ability to work independently to set and meet goals.
g) Bilingual ability (Spanish/English) preferred.