Director of Pastoral Care and Outreach - Divine Mercy Parish - Winnetka - VIC. I

Divine Mercy Parish•Winnetka, IL

24d•$50,000 - $65,000

About The Position

The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 216 parishes in Cook County and Lake county, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 13,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region's largest nonprofit social service agency. The Archdiocese also has one of the country's largest seminaries. The Archdiocese's 150+ elementary and secondary schools comprise one of the largest U.S. private school systems. Its schools have received 96 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards. About Divine Mercy Parish Divine Mercy Parish is a Catholic faith community rooted in Winnetka, Northfield, and Glencoe, and serving the North Shore suburbs of Chicago. We are blessed with two worship sites: Sacred Heart Church in Winnetka, and St. Philip the Apostle Church in Northfield. Divine Mercy Parish has been a leader in the Archdiocese of Chicago’s efforts of renewal and evangelization. We are a welcoming community that inspires disciples of Jesus to share God’s love and transform the world. Job Summary The Director of Pastoral Care and Outreach assists the Pastor in overseeing, coordinating, and collaborating with ministries and other agencies that provide spiritual, emotional, and material support to individuals and families in need. The Director works closely with the pastor, parish staff, and lay leaders to animate the parish in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Rooted in Catholic teaching and the mission of the Church, the Director ensures that all ministries reflect compassion, mercy, and the dignity of every person.

Requirements

A practicing Catholic in full communion with the Church, living a life consistent with Catholic moral teaching and committed to daily prayer.
Comprehensive vision and understanding of evangelization and Catholic social teaching.
Demonstrated awareness of need for solidarity with the poor and disenfranchised; capacity to foster collaboration with social agencies.

Responsibilities

Trains and supervises activities of Ministers of Care, bringing communion to the homebound and people in nursing homes.
Fills in for other Ministry of Care Team members as needed.
Provides parishioners with reliable referrals to local providers of mental health services, substance abuse services, grief and bereavement assistance, and other social service needs.
Interacts with hospital and hospice chaplains for anointing requests, communicates with Pastor regarding these needs and ensures prompt response.
Provides supportive and social programming for parishioners, including gatherings (Crafty Ladies, Men's Club, Women's Network), funeral helpers, parents/grandparents of college students, and others.
Maintains the parish prayer list for the sick and the deceased, prepares bereavement cards to be signed by the Pastor.
Assists Director of Liturgy and Music with planning and execution of the All Souls Mass and Anointing Masses.
Develops and implements new pastoral care initiatives in response to parish needs.
Schedules food donations to A Just Harvest each month and arranges special food or other drives as needed.
Manages all aspects of Uncle Pete's Ministry, with multiple events each month where volunteers pack lunches. This involves planning, purchasing, scheduling volunteers, and facilitating the events.
Coordinates all Sharing Parish activities, including Christmas donations, Thanksgiving activities, food drives, tutoring program, and annual visits from the pastors and staff of the other parishes.
Interfaces with local socialâ¯service organizations including Catholic Charities, C24/7, Family Promise, local food pantries, and others.
Coordinates the planning and activities of the Bill Doll Garden, in which volunteers grow produce that is donated to local food pantries.
Assists the Interfaith Knitting Group with ordering yarn, hosting events, and identifying projects and recipients.
Identifies services needed to address short- and long-term needs for social outreach ministry within the parish and the surrounding communities.