Assistant Director of Accompaniment

The Diocese of Bridgeport’s focus on renewal of the Church is called “The One.” The One is our commitment to renew our Church’s ecclesial culture and bring every believer closer to the Lord Jesus through encounter and accompaniment. Reporting to the Director of Accompaniment, the Assistant Director of Accompaniment is responsible for developing and operationalizing accompaniment programs and initiatives throughout the Diocese.

The Assistant Director will work directly with pastors, parish leaders, volunteers, contractors, and parishioners to implement programs that foster a culture of Christian accompaniment, with particular attention to those experiencing challenge, crisis, grief, illness, aging, isolation, loss, and suffering. The position will also develop and implement programs serving the elderly and support diocesan pastoral initiatives related to hospice, serious illness, and end-of-life care.

• Work directly with pastors and parish leaders to implement accompaniment programs and initiatives developed under The One.
• Assess parish accompaniment needs and assist pastors and parish leaders in developing practical approaches, programs, and teams to address those needs.
• Provide direct pastoral accompaniment, as appropriate, to parish leaders and parishioners facing crisis, grief, illness, aging, caregiving burdens, loss, family difficulties, conflict, or other significant life challenges.
• Use professional counseling and mediation skills to support individuals and groups while recognizing the appropriate boundaries between pastoral accompaniment and formal clinical treatment and making referrals when needed.
• Develop and implement diocesan and parish-based programs for the elderly, including outreach to homebound and isolated older adults, caregiver support, volunteer formation, and connection to appropriate Catholic and community resources.
• Assist in developing and implementing the Diocese’s pastoral approach to hospice, serious illness, dying, and end-of-life care, collaborating with clergy, healthcare professionals, hospice providers, and other appropriate partners.
• Translate accompaniment initiatives from concept into effective parish programs by developing implementation plans, processes, training materials, communications, and ongoing support.
• Recruit, form, coordinate, and lead volunteers who participate in accompaniment ministries and programs.
• Identify, engage, and oversee contractors or outside professionals when specialized expertise is required to implement accompaniment programs.
• Facilitate training, formation, meetings, and workshops for clergy, parish staff, volunteers, and others involved in accompaniment ministries.
• Build constructive working relationships across diocesan offices, parishes, healthcare and hospice organizations, and other organizations that support the mission of accompaniment.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of accompaniment programs and recommend improvements to the Director of Accompaniment.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical standards consistent with Connecticut licensure requirements, diocesan policies, and Catholic teaching.
• Travel regularly to parishes and other ministry locations throughout the Diocese and be available for occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Active Connecticut Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license in good standing.
• Master’s degree in counseling or another field qualifying the individual for Connecticut LPC licensure.
• Demonstrated professional experience in counseling, mediation, conflict resolution, pastoral care, or a related field, with particular…