Lay Ministry Care Associate

Description

Employment Status: Full-time

FLSA Status: Exempt/Salary

Reports to: Pastor

 *Full-time Benefits may include: Paid Holidays/Holy Days, 403b Retirement, 401 (a) Pension Plan, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Employee Assistance Program, Short-term/Long-term Disability. *Benefits may vary based on employment status and location. 

Summary:

The Pastoral Care Associate directs and coordinates a certain number of chief pastoral ministries in the overall mission of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. This position requires a skilled, caring Christian leader capable of providing pastoral care and training others in aspects of pastoral care. The Pastoral Care Associate must be knowledgeable of Catholic Pastoral Care and the Sacraments associated with this ministry. The Pastoral Care Associate must be acquainted with the guidelines and policies of the Archdiocese of San Antonio and the Roman Catholic Church. The Parish of OLPH in Selma is numerous and its mission serves many, this position demands a high level of organization, creativity and motivation. 

 Position Responsibilities:

• Ministers to individuals and families planning funerals.
• Coordinates the ministry of home visitation, Eucharistic Ministry to the homebound, elderly, persons in senior homes, hospitals.
• Organizes, recruits and trains the lay individuals involved with the areas of home visitation, Eucharistic Ministry to the homebound, elderly persons in senior homes, hospitals.
• Responds to after-hour and weekend emergency calls from the answering service using the parish cell phone, contacting priests for urgent visitations.
• Works closely with the Priests, and Deacons of OLPH as well as seminarians and candidates-in- training in all the ways they are involved with these aspects of pastoral care, particularly visitation, services off campus, wakes, Masses and committals 
• Coordinates the bereavement reception ministry that follows funerals by overseeing the teams who carry out food receptions.
• Oversees the service of Cemetery #1 and #2: (a) Meets with individuals and families regarding the arrangement and sale of gravesites and niches and details of grave markers. (b) Arranges with contractor grave digging, headstone installation, (c)Works with the parish support staff who compile assist in keeping records, payments and correspondence.
• Leads and collaborates with other parish leaders in hosting special occasions or seminars in pastoral care. Among those are (a) two special Masses with Anointing of the Sick, (b) All Soul’s Day Cemetery #2 Mass and other liturgies, (c) November Memorial Mass with the bereaved, (d) Life after Loss seminars, (d) advanced planning, etc.

Requirements

Education:

• Masters Degree in Catholic Theology or Catholic Pastoral Ministry, preferred
• Bachelors Degree, required

Experience:

• Experience working in a church or pastoral setting
• Ability to communicate in Spanish
• Ability to work a flexible work schedule including Sundays and some evenings
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Must be a practicing Catholic and active in the parish; must work well with people of all walks of life

Minimum Knowledge and Skills:

• Skills in Pastoral Counselling
• Knowledge of Catholic faith, Scripture
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Able to work independently as well as with a team
• Healthy desire for development and ministerial growth
• Able to make decisions, handle several priorities, stress, timelines 
• Prayerful, committed to the Catholic Church 
• Strong Interpersonal skills, ability to relate well with a wide range of children, youth and adults

Physical Demands:

• Office job at parish
• Must be able to remain in a stationery position 80% of the time. 
• Operates a computer and other office machinery such as copy machine, fax/printer.
• Occasional lifting 10-20 pounds. 
• Physical use of telephone.