What are the responsibilities and job description for the Pastoral Associate position at Archdiocese of Detroit?
Pastoral Associate
SUMMARY
The Pastoral Associate is responsible for Religious Formation at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, including child and adult catechesis. They will also be responsible for overseeing religious education program for 1st-8th grades, classes, & sacramental preparation programs. Prince of Peace offers a one-hour monthly Sunday Family Faith Formation program after Mass, with both parent and child modules taught on those once-a-month Sundays, and family-based home lessons for the other weeks.
The Pastoral Associate will report directly to the Priest and be part of a family catechesis team for the Faith Formation program, with another member of staff teaching the parent module of the Sunday morning program.
Their work will also include development of programs to be offered to parishioners to enhance the community’s involvement in, and understanding of the Catholic faith, within the different liturgical seasons.
DUTIES
- Oversee sacramental preparation of first communion and reconciliation.
- Supervise First Communion and Confirmation sacramental preparation for children and youth.
- Develop and communicate schedule of Faith Formation weekends. Classes are held approximately monthly, on Sunday mornings, between September and May. Coordinate student efforts with the leadership of the parent program, and be able to teach the parent module if needed.
- Recruit, train and supervise and be a resource for volunteer catechists.
- Oversee and teach OCIA Program in either group setting or meeting with interested candidates on an individual basis.
- Meet with people by request for pastoral counseling.
- Manage registration of, and all communication and correspondence with Faith Formation families.
- Teach child-based portion of Protecting God’s Children to students annually.
- Research, develop and present Adult Formation programs and opportunities, in concert with the Priest, to grow understanding of, and devotion to the faith.
- Manage ordering or materials for programming and creation of registration materials.
- Prepare classrooms and social hall for Sunday presentation and lesson use, including light continental breakfast set-up.
- Write and submit articles for the parish bulletin on occasion.
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be a committed, practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, who adheres to the teachings of the Magisterium.
- Experience working in a Catholic Church in a teaching/ pastoral position.
- Must be compliant with or able to complete Protecting God’s Children workshop.
- Must submit to criminal background check in Michigan and other states of prior residence.
- Able to converse and communicate well with both children and adults.
- Able to recognize the different levels of faith understanding of parishioners, and willing to encourage and nurture growth.
- Some Sunday morning and weekday evening work required.
- Certified catechist or willing to take certification class.
- OCIA certification or willing to work toward this.
- Competency working with Microsoft office applications: Power-point, Excel, Word, Outlook.
- Prolonged periods standing and walking.
- Prolonged periods of working on a computer.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested and qualified applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Fr. Andrew Dawson by email: adawson@princeofpeacecatholic.church
Flexible work schedule, within program requirements. Opportunity for full-time, commensurate with experience and interests.