Ministry

Office of Parish Life

Women and men commissioned by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to provide ministry in partnership with the clergy of the local Church in a variety of pastoral settings.

The Office of Parish Life was established in 1999 by Cardinal Roger Mahony, to coordinate, promote, assist and further the work and mission of the Church in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Building on Cardinal Roger Mahony’s “As I have done for you” where he publicly affirmed and recognized the developing role of lay ecclesial vocation in the Archdiocese, thus the Pastoral Associate’s Office was born.

One of initial tasks of the Director of the Office was to define the role and function of the Pastoral Associate. The vision would then direct the values which underpin the direction of the Office and focus in particular to the distinctive functions of leadership and the form of servant leadership most appropriate to the role in the local Church.

Pastoral Associates for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are women and men who are commissioned by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to provide ministry in partnership with the clergy of the local Church in a variety of pastoral settings.

In drawing up the purpose and function of the Pastoral Associate, three priorities echoed, as set by Cardinal Roger Mahony which framed a vision for the Church in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles; Education, Spiritual Formation and Skills for Ministry.

Education

To be considered for Pastoral Associates, the Office requires that applicants possess a formal education at the graduate level that affords them a basic familiarity with Church teaching and pastoral practice in Scripture, Christology, Liturgy and Sacraments, Catholic Church History and Vatican II Ecclesiology, Catholic Social Justice Principles, Moral Theology and Pastoral Ethics, Methods of Evangelization, Cannon Law as applied to pastoral situations, Principles of Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue and Stages of Faith Development.

Pastoral Associates hold a Master’s Degree in divinity or in pastoral, theological or religious studies. Pastoral Associates are educated professionals in the field of pastoral ministry. Degree equivalencies will be considered on an individual basis and determined by the applicant’s ability to articulate and demonstrate knowledge of Catholic theology appropriate to the level of a Master’s degree in the appropriate field.