Pastoral Associate - Parish Ministry

Job Title:

Pastoral Associate for Parish Ministries

Location:

0104 St. Michael Parish, Olympia - Olympia, WA 98501

Position Type:
Full Time

Salary Range: $55,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Through the Partners in the Gospel initiative, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle has integrated parishes and resources into groupings of parish families that are now in the process of becoming new canonical parishes. Saint Michael Parish (Olympia) and Saint Edward Parish (Shelton) constitute a dynamic and growth-oriented parish family. St. Michael Parish and St. Michael Parish School comprise a truly vibrant multicultural Catholic community that serves approximately 2,800 families, representing 7,000 individual mass attendees per weekend and approximately 440 school students enrolled in pre‑k through 8th grade.

The past decade has witnessed unprecedented growth in parish life engagement, ministry participation, and school enrollment. St Edward Parish is a diverse parish, inclusive of many ethnic cultures including multilingual staff, mass offerings in Spanish and serving approximately 1,200 families per weekend.

The Pastoral Associate for Parish Ministry serves as a senior staff leader responsible for assisting the pastor in advancing the parish mission: “To place God first in all things: proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and grow in holiness through prayer, sacraments, and service. We Make Disciples.” Ingrained in an intimate relationship with Jesus and His Church, the Pastoral Associate reports directly to the pastor and provides leadership and oversight for the parish’s efforts related to faith formation (including ministries for children, youth and adults), discipleship, catechesis, sacramental preparation (including Christian initiation), liturgy (including sacred music), pastoral care, volunteer catechist development, and vocational accompaniment.

The position establishes the culture, priorities, and strategic direction of the Office for Parish Ministry and ensures that all parish ministry initiatives contribute to the mission and long‑term vitality of the parish.

• Promote and advance the parish mission in all parish ministry initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Pastor and parish leadership in developing and implementing parish vision and strategic priorities including parish mission, vision, priorities, staffing, and ministry development.
• Work with the Pastoral Associate for Parish Life to align engagement, evangelization, formation, and discipleship efforts.
• Collaborate with the Pastoral Associate for Parish Family Finances regarding ministry budgets and financial stewardship.
• Work with the Pastoral Associate for Parish Family Resources regarding facilities, technology, and operational support.
• Collaborate with the School Principal to strengthen parish‑school faith formation and family engagement.
• Ensure parish values are reflected throughout formation programs, sacramental preparation, liturgical life, and pastoral ministries.
• Provide leadership that fosters engagement, formation, catechesis, discipleship, and vocational discernment.
• Develop systems and structures that help parishioners grow from initial engagement to mature Christian discipleship.

• Ensure consistency in prayer, curriculum, and ministry effectiveness throughout all formation programs.
• Provide oversight for parish catechetical ministries, ensuring fidelity to Catholic doctrine and reflecting the mission, vision and values of the parish.
• Provide leadership and foster collaboration among ministries to create seamless transitions between stages of lifelong formation.
• Recruit, form, and support catechists and volunteer ministry leaders.

• Promote meaningful engagement opportunities that invite parishioners into ongoing formation and parish life.
• Collaborate with Pastoral Assistant for Faith Formation and support the formation of missionary disciples through small groups, retreats, Bible studies, and ongoing formation opportunities.

• Oversee sacramental preparation…