Steward for Pastoral Care Ministries

4000 ARCHDIOCESE OF SEATTLE PAYROLL SVC•Olympia, WA

4d•$50,000 - $55,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Steward for Pastoral Care provides leadership, coordination, and oversight for ministries of compassion, accompaniment, responsiveness, and encouragement (C.A.R.E.) across the Saint Michael and Saint Edward Parish family. The role helps ensure parishioners and community members receive support during illness, grief, disability, loneliness, hardship, and life transitions, fostering dignity, belonging, healing, and connection. The Steward collaborates with parish staff, clergy, volunteers, ministry leaders, and community organizations to strengthen a culture of care and service. Responsibilities span both parishes and include coordinating Eucharistic visits to homebound parishioners and patients at Providence Saint Peter Hospital; training and supporting Eucharistic Visitors; coordinating compassion, phone-call, and grief ministries; and connecting people with appropriate clergy, parish, and community support. The role also coordinates practical assistance for homebound residents, serves as a parish contact for partner organizations and chaplains, and works with the Pastoral Care and Community Outreach Commission. At Saint Michael Parish, the position supports faith-based groups and ministries addressing grief, cancer, dementia and Alzheimer's, miscarriage and infant loss, suicide loss, and other life challenges. It also supports Faith and Light inclusion and fellowship activities and coordinates the Prayer Shawl Group. Support ministries are rooted in Catholic faith, welcome people of all religious backgrounds, and do not replace professional counseling. The position is full-time at 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week), generally Monday through Friday, with occasional Saturdays and parish events. It is located at St. Michael Parish in Olympia, Washington, and reports to the Pastor. The listed salary range is $50,000–$55,000.

Requirements

Strong, active Catholic faith, commitment to the mission of the Church, and desire for continued spiritual and pastoral formation.
Demonstrated empathy, patience, prayerfulness, sound judgment, and ability to accompany people in difficult and sensitive circumstances with dignity and respect.
Experience or demonstrated ability in ministry leadership, volunteer coordination, program development, and collaborative relationship-building.
Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Effective time management and ability to manage multiple priorities, schedules, and timely follow-through.
Ability to recognize pastoral needs, respond appropriately to urgent situations, maintain confidentiality, and identify when professional, medical, counseling, or social-service referrals are appropriate.
Proficiency with standard office applications, email, calendars, spreadsheets, and digital communication tools.
Ability to work independently, adapt to changing pastoral needs, and provide timely support through visits and other ministry activities.

Nice To Haves

Relevant pastoral-care experience, ministry training, theological education, or equivalent experience.
Commitment to ongoing learning and formation.

Responsibilities

Lead, coordinate, and oversee C.A.R.E. ministries across the Saint Michael and Saint Edward Parish family.
Coordinate, train, and support Eucharistic Visitors serving homebound parishioners; provide ongoing formation and communicate with clergy about sacramental needs.
Collaborate with hospital spiritual care staff, chaplains, and Eucharistic Visitors to coordinate visits to patients at Providence Saint Peter Hospital.
Supervise, train, communicate with, and assist volunteers in the Compassion Ministry; prepare parishioners to accompany individuals and families through serious illness, dying, death, and early grief.
Supervise and support the Phone Call Ministry and its volunteers, ensuring parishioners receive acknowledgement, prayer, and connection.
Serve as staff contact and coordinator for parish-family grief ministries and gatherings.
Coordinate practical assistance for homebound residents through Working Hands, including minor repairs, ramps, appliance repairs, yard work, and other household needs.
Serve as staff point of contact for Chaplains Association for Public Safety - Thurston County and Project Rachel Ministry.
Collaborate with the Steward for Community Outreach and the Pastoral Care and Community Outreach Commission on ministry development, parish decision-making, grant distribution, and pastoral priorities.
Oversee and support Saint Michael Parish faith-based support groups and ministries, including grief, cancer, dementia and Alzheimer's, miscarriage and infant loss, suicide loss, and one-to-one grief support.
Facilitate grief support meetings and cycles, provide group and individual support, and support ministry leaders as specified for the various groups.
Support the Faith and Light community and promote inclusion, friendship, and meaningful participation in parish life.
Support Prayer Shawl Group volunteers, coordinate clergy blessings, and oversee distribution of shawls.
Provide compassionate pastoral presence through home, hospital, hospice, and assisted-living visits.
Maintain timely communication and follow-through, referring people to clergy, parish ministries, community resources, or professional services as appropriate.
Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and records; evaluate ministry effectiveness and encourage improvement.