Pastoral Associate

Our Lady of Angels Conventual Church (OLA) is seeking a relational, humble, collaborative, and mission-driven Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation whose role is to walk with children, teens, parents and young adults on their journeys of faith. This position can be likened to a “Jack of all pastoral ministry trades.” It includes family ministry, youth ministry and young adult ministry. Our Faith Formation Department operates within an Initiation Model of Church – that is, a model which is person-centered, process-oriented, open to all and follows the sequence of the Church calendar.

Because OLA is a part of the Franciscan Renewal Center which is also home to a nationally renowned retreat center, beautiful grounds and professional ministries, we are blessed to be in an environment that encourages and supports dreaming big and thinking out of the box.

Scope of Work

The Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation (PA) fosters the faith development of all generations within the OLA faith community through the coordination, management, facilitation and evaluation of programs and processes designed to help all generations live out their baptismal call within the life of our caring Christian community. Through collaboration with the whole Faith Formation staff and working within an Initiation Model, the PA provides age-appropriate and intergenerational spiritual growth opportunities for all generations. The PA focuses primarily on OLA community members but is also responsible for communicating with and providing an open door to all in the diocese.

Who We Are

The Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Angels at the Franciscan Renewal Center is set on 25 acres of serene desert grounds in Paradise Valley. Founded in 1951 by the Order of Friars Minor, the Center is dedicated to its mission of renewing lives through spiritual growth, healing and transformation, and service to others.

Working in close cooperation with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, our church is a non-parish community that welcomes people from across the Valley. Many are drawn here in search of a spiritual home where joyful liturgies with Franciscan friars, a deeply engaged community, and meaningful opportunities for retreat, reflection, and service are woven into a shared life of faith.

Through contemplative grounds and prayer spaces, as well as outreach ministries serving the poor and vulnerable, we seek to live the Gospel in a spirit of compassion and hospitality. Pastoral care and guidance are offered by a dedicated team of friars, staff, and volunteers who foster a supportive environment of accompaniment and belonging—inviting all to encounter God and experience renewal rooted in Catholic and Franciscan tradition.

Fundamental Beliefs That You Will Need to Share

• Faith Formation is lifelong and ongoing
• Family Ministry, Youth Ministry and Young Adult Ministry are not programs, they just are!
• Sacramental preparation is a part of the ministries, not apart from
• Committed Belonging and Intentional Faith are what we seek to inspire
• Orthopraxis precedes orthodoxy
• Quality is more important than quantity
• Faith Formation is about educating religiously, not just religious education

What You’ll Do

• Coordinate and manage family ministry: Our family ministry (postinfant Baptism through 6th grade) will consist of multiple facets which will be facilitated by volunteers, paid guest presenters and specialized independent contractors. We use a familybased faith formation model that acknowledges parents as the primary “passers on” of faith. Your role will be to coordinate and manage all the facets while sustaining a ministry of presence at all events and programs. You will be the point of contact for all inquiring parents and all parents enrolled in family ministry. You will get to know them, and they will get to know you.
• Ministry by, for and with youth & their families: Coordinate highschool and juniorhigh ministry experiences, including the Antioch Retreat, ongoing formation, service and reflection opportunities, youth liturgical ministry, and the OCIT process in collaboration with OCIA.
• Build young adult belonging: Develop relationships with young adults; promote catechesis, spiritual growth, worship, service, outreach, and encourage full, conscience and active participation in Eucharist at OLA; support welcoming efforts.
• Develop leaders: Recruit, train, empower, and supervise volunteers and emerging leaders across ministry areas.
• Intergenerational service: Coordinate youth and parent participation in immersive service projects such as Appalachia Help Week and collegeage participation in Jamaica Help Week, working with the Director of Faith Formation.
• Collaborate broadly: Partner with OLA and Franciscan Renewal Center staff, Friars, Hospitality Ministry, Liturgy, Faith in Action Ministries, independent contractors, and ministry peers across the Diocese of Phoenix and the Our Lady of Guadalupe Province.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Create welcoming pathways for families, youth, and young adults to journey deeper into the Mystery of God.
• Be a visible “noticer of people” and have a ministry of presence at Sunday liturgies.
• Strengthen committed belonging and intentional faith through worship, formation, hospitality, service, retreats, and outreach.
• Contribute to the vision and direction of the Faith Formation Department, OLA, and the Franciscan Renewal Center through committees, staff meetings, and community gatherings.
• Continue growing professionally and personally through workshops and seminars, especially in Catholic family, youth, and young adult ministry.

You’ll Thrive in This Role If You Are

• Grounded in healthy Christianity and energized by helping people participate fully in the life of the Church.
• A fully initiated Catholic who embraces the Living Tradition.
• A warm relationshipbuilder who listens well and creates a genuine sense of welcome.
• An organized coordinator who can guide multiple programs, volunteers, partners, and communications.
• A collaborative teammate who can connect ministries and generations around a shared mission.
• Comfortable engaging children, parents, teens, young adults, volunteers, staff, and diocesan peers.
• Ready to participate actively in weekend liturgies, retreats, service experiences, meetings, and other ministry opportunities.
• A creative thinker who brings both initiative and a willingness to learn from others.
• Someone who doesn’t miss snow!

What you will bring

• A Master's degree in Pastoral Ministry or related field (preferred).
• A faith rooted in the Gospel.
• An attitude that is fully committed to the Mission of the Catholic Church.
• An openness to Franciscan values.
• An understanding of the goals of familybased faith formation, comprehensive youth ministry, and inspiring young adults to committed belonging and intentional faith.

PERKS and BENEFITS

We offer competitive pay and a full benefits package, including:

• Health, life, and disability insurance.
• Vision and basic dental covered 100% by employer.
• 403b retirement plan with employer match.
• 15 days PTO 9 paid holidays paid sick time.
• Free teledoctor visits.
• Paid retreat leave and professional development.
• Staff lunches and events.
• A values and missiondriven workplace where your work truly matters.

About FRANCISCAN RENEWAL CENTER INC

Join our mission and be part of our story: In 1951, the Casa de Paz y Bien, founded by Franciscan Friars, as a Catholic retreat center in Paradise Valley, AZ. Now, as the Franciscan Renewal Center (still affectionately called the Casa), a Catholic non-profit, we offer opportunities in support of our mission for spiritual growth, healing, and transformation, and service to others. At the Franciscan Renewal Center, every role is more than a set of duties—it is hands-on, impactful, and valued, with many describing it as a true calling. Each day, our staff embody Franciscan values, working collaboratively and in a spirit of hospitality, serving as faithful stewards of our property and operations, and demonstrating unwavering dedication to our mission. Together, our shared commitment to the Franciscan values creates the welcoming environment that draws guests back program after program, year after year, and keeps our church community active, vibrant, and thriving.