The Parish Pastoral Worker works in partnership with the priests and pastoral council of a parish or group of parishes in the areas of:
Educating – Promoting lifelong learning in the Catholic tradition and in Christian living
Typical tasks include:
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Proclaiming Christ and witnessing to him in their lives
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Sharing in the work of evangelisation to promote a living relationship with God in Christ
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Co-ordinating faith development initiatives especially with young adults
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Promoting understanding of the Church and its mission
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Utilising the principles of RCIA as the model for adult catechesis.
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Providing opportunities for various constituencies of people to deepen their understanding of their Catholic faith
- Making links between the sacred and secular and promoting encounter between faith and culture.
- Encouraging individuals and the parish community to see the Social Teaching of the Church as integral to discipleship and mission
- Contributing to sacramental preparation programmes.
Praying – Enhancing the prayer and worship of the parish community
Typical tasks include:
- Facilitating the full, active and conscious participation of all the faithful in liturgical celebrations with a special concern for those whose participation is impaired by a disability.
- Enriching parish liturgical and sacramental celebrations especially the Sunday Eucharist
- Developing appropriate para-liturgy,
- Working with teachers to resource prayer and liturgy in the parish schools
- Supporting family prayer
Animating – As a lay Catholic, bearing witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ and encouraging involvement in existing and new initiatives expressing the mission of the Church today
Typical tasks include:
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Encouraging and supporting other lay people in living their faith in the precise circumstances of their lives
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Reaching out in welcome to newcomers, to those disconnected from Jesus and the Church and to those marginalised by society
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Working with Parish Pastoral Council in fulfilling its mission.
- Contributing to ecumenical and inter-religious encounter
Relating – Building community through quality relationships and pastoral care
Typical tasks include:
- Serving as an ex-officio member of the Parish Pastoral Council
- Being available and ‘present’ to individuals and their needs especially the lonely, the sick and the bereaved.
- Supporting and nurturing parish groups especially those engaged in Catholic action and in lay liturgical ministries.
- Participating in home visitation and working with parents and families
- Building links between home, school and parish