PASTORAL ASSOCIATE
 
There are over 36,000 Pastoral Associates in the U.S, Church today. The title Pastoral Associate is used to describe those Lay or Religious full-time and part-time, salaried/stipend persons who are members of the parish staff, sharing responsibility for the daily pastoral care of the faithful. Pastoral Associates are not ordained clergy like a priest or deacon, they are, however, considered an integral part of a church’s ministerial team. As Lay Ecclesial Ministers (a title given them by the USCCB), they may serve as a Music director, a Director of Religious Education, a hospital chaplain, a parish administrator, a spiritual advisor, or a director of pastoral care. Their duties, both pastoral and professional, are based, generally, on their education and experience in the service of our Lord and, specifically by those tasks assigned to them by their supervising Pastor.

Role 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

1. Participates in the liturgical life of the parish, particularly at Sunday Liturgy.
2. Collaborates with the parish staff in providing pastoral care to the parish community.
3. 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.
4. 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 specific, though not exclusive, areas of pastoral care:
      Worship and Spirituality

• To work creatively and cooperatively towards the formation of a lively, faith-filled worshipping community.
• To work collaboratively with the Pastor and others in forming a pastoral team for liturgical planning.
• To assist with liturgical functions, to lead prayer services, and to provide other devotional opportunities.
• To organize rehearsals and celebrations (e.g. wedding, baptism).
• To lead Wake Services and Burial Services as needed.
• To administer the Eucharist as an extraordinary minister as needed
• To organize and implement programs of spiritual enrichment.
• To be available for pastoral conversations and spiritual support.

      Parish Outreach

• To 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.
• To train parishioners to serve as parish visitors for the ministry of pastoral care to the sick and homebound.
• To do home visitations/census.
• To visit hospitals and nursing homes.
• To represent the parish at community gatherings and in ecumenical and interreligious organizations.

      Healing and Assistance Ministry

• To facilitate opportunities for healing in the parish
• To support and assist all reporters of abuse.
• To facilitate the development of a comprehensive support ministry for volunteers who serve children, youth, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

      Adult Enrichment

• To 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.
• To develop prayer groups and to organize days of recollection and retreats.
• To promote awareness of the Church’s social teaching
• To provide education in social justice areas.

      Organization and Administration

• To work with the pastor in carrying out the ordinary administration of the parish.
• To 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.

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

1. The Pastor may assign additional duties and responsibilities at his discretion as the need arises
2. A Pastoral Associate may assist in any liturgy and wear appropriate liturgical garments including a cassock and surplice but not a stole or chasuble or other garment reserved for ordained clergy.