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 Pastoral Associates are qualified professionals whose lives are rooted in gospel values and who are responsive to Jesus' call to discipleship. They are committed to service within the Church and are able to assist the pastor with the day-to-day pastoral care and administration of the parish. Pastoral associates are mature, adaptable, and flexible.  They exhibit the capacity for leadership and collaboration in all aspects of parish life and ministry and are sensitive to multi-cultural issues.

Each pastoral associate develops a job scope that includes specific pastoral responsibilities that might include one or more of the following ministries:

  • Administration
  • Faith Formation
  • Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
  • Spirituality
  • Liturgical Ministry
  • Social/Collaborative Ministry

The Pastoral Institute and Pastoral Associates

Services to Pastoral Associates

As part of its mission to foster local leadership, the Pastoral Institute will assist current pastoral associates in their ongoing work among God's people.  In collaboration with other diocesan agencies, the Institute will sponsor continuing education and formation opportunities for these ministers.  Representatives of the Pastoral Institute will meet with the diocesan Conference of Pastoral Associates that serves as a voluntary networking and support organization for pastoral associates.

The Pastoral Institute services prospective candidates for the ministry of Pastoral Associate by:

  1. Reviewing the qualitifications of those interested in serving as a pastoral associate
  2. Interviewing such candidates to assess their qualifications for the ministry
  3. Coordinating the orientation program for all newly hired pastoral associates
  4. Regularly offering opportunities for ongoing professional development for all pastoral associates.

Services to Parishes

The Pastoral Institute will also serve the parishes of the diocese by:

  1. Receive data from diocesan surveys in order to identify parishes that may be interested and able to hire a new pastoral associate
  2. Maintaining a list of all those who may be interested in serving as pastoral associates and distribute it among the parishes interested in hiring an associate
  3. Assisting parish staffs in assessing their need for a pastoral associate.

A copy of the Diocesan Ministry Guidelines for Pastoral Associates is available in each parish and through the Pastoral Institute.

Download the Application