Looking for Ministry Ideas and Mentors

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JeannetteCML

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I hold a BA and and MA in theology and I am considering applying for jobs in Catholic ministry such as pastoral associates and directors of religious education. I am even considering teaching religion at a Catholic high school as an option. There are some obstacles for me, however… The experience I have so far is one semester working with a pastoral associate at a parish as an internship and a couple years in CCD instruction. I would like do to whatever I can yet to prepare myself for a job in ministry. I would like to talk or write with people who have been in ministry and have suggestions on getting started and/or staying in ministry and being an effective minister. I am also looking for people who could possibly be “mentors” for me as I begin this process. Just ideas on where to get resources and materials for conducting spiritual programs in a parish such as RCIA, Bible studies, or things like Theology on Tap would be helpful–or any neat stories from experience in dealing with people in ministry… strategies… things that keep you going when there are periods when you are bored with your job…

I love theology. I finished my degrees because I love to study it and write about it. But working with people is not my strong suit. I would love some day to do Christian writing or be a college professor, but that is not possible right now. Still, I really want to use my degrees in some kind of career. So any advice, inspiration… prayers 🙂 and support for shy people like me would be deeply appreciated. I need to keep my nerve for going through with this now and not lose my passion. I am just thinking of the parable of the talents… and I don’t want to be the servant with the one talent who buries it in the ground.

Thank you so much!

Sincerely,
Jeannette
 
obviously I am going to put in a plug for catechists, IMO the best all around OJT for parish ministry, in fact with your qualifications I would be hard put to understand why you are not doing this. the youth programs are always in need, and confirmation prep is a critical area of need. It is a fact that teens respond better to young adults than to old folks like me. And the teens can be counted on to give you a baptism of fire for this work. Please consider youth ministry as a career. The Church needs you.
 
I have been a Pastoral Associate for many years. There is really no way to describe what a PA does since it varies according to the pastor’s desires. As a PA I am in charge of liturgy, adult faith formation (Adult Ed, Baptism prep, RCIA, Spirituality), and whatever administrative duties the pastor throws across my desk. I also usually answer questions when we get phone calls or people stop in to want to ask questions of a priest (most of the time a priest is not needed to answer it). I also have some parishioners that just like to come to my office and talk.

Now I know some PA’s who only have one particular job, like RCIA or Stewardship, and don’t do anything else. My job keeps me pretty busy but I love it. We have a PA network in our diocese so we can support each other. We meet about every 6 weeks to pray with each other. Sometimes we have a speaker but mostly we just talk about things that are going on in our parishes. Many of us do work for the diocese as well. The big thing is to keep up with reading, workshops, lectures, etc., that you are up to date with anything that is going on in the Church becuase parishioners will ask you. Be very visible. Woking with people is important in whatever Church ministry you go into so you are going to have to work on that. I was/am a high introvet, but I have learned to be an “occupational extrovert.” I am still very uncomfortable around people in social situations, like parties, but at work people do not believe when I say I am in introvert.
 
JeannetteCML said:
I hold a BA and and MA in theology and I am considering applying for jobs in Catholic ministry such as pastoral associates and directors of religious education. I am even considering teaching religion at a Catholic high school as an option. There are some obstacles for me, however… The experience I have so far is one semester working with a pastoral associate at a parish as an internship and a couple years in CCD instruction. I would like do to whatever I can yet to prepare myself for a job in ministry. I would like to talk or write with people who have been in ministry and have suggestions on getting started and/or staying in ministry and being an effective minister. I am also looking for people who could possibly be “mentors” for me as I begin this process. Just ideas on where to get resources and materials for conducting spiritual programs in a parish such as RCIA, Bible studies, or things like Theology on Tap would be helpful–or any neat stories from experience in dealing with people in ministry… strategies… things that keep you going when there are periods when you are bored with your job…

I love theology. I finished my degrees because I love to study it and write about it. But working with people is not my strong suit. I would love some day to do Christian writing or be a college professor, but that is not possible right now. Still, I really want to use my degrees in some kind of career. So any advice, inspiration… prayers 🙂 and support for shy people like me would be deeply appreciated. I need to keep my nerve for going through with this now and not lose my passion. I am just thinking of the parable of the talents… and I don’t want to be the servant with the one talent who buries it in the ground.

Thank you so much!

Sincerely,
Jeannette
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I’m not a pastoral associate, but have trained many in my lifetime. My own experience has been through our order. I’ve been a missionary, professor of mystical theology, Director of Religious Education, Director of Pastoral Care to the Disabled, Catholic School Principal, and am currently a spiritual director, as well as a lecturer at our seminary in Mystical Theology and coordinate a parish ministry to families who have loved ones with disabilities and other health impairments. I mention these things, because you don’t have to be a member of an order to do any of these.

I have had the honour and privilege of working with some of the holiest pastoral ministers, most of who were married and were not members of any order. In the missions we had a great need for pastoral associates. I remember working at a retreat house in the Caribbean where we had more than 40 pastoral associates who came as volunteers for a year at a time. This is something that may interest you. If so, get in touch with me via PM and I will tell link you with a Franciscan community that is looking for lay people who want to do mission work in the USA and the foreign missions.

Another area where there is a lack of pastoral care is hospital ministry. Many parishes are looking for pastoral ministers to serve as chaplains in local hospitals or to work with the local chaplain. Senior citizens and persons living with disabilities often lack pastoral care. There is a wide opening there. If you speak Spanish, the Hispanic ministry is looking for hands to serve the immigrants.

Since I don’t know what part of the country you’re in, I can’t be more specific on what’s available. If I can be of any help, feel free to contact me. I’m at your disposal.

Fraternally in St. Francis,

JR 🙂
 
I don’t have a Theology degree, but I am now in a Clinical Pastoral Education program to train to be a hospital chaplain. It is a 7 month long unit with 300 clinical hours and 100 hours of classroom training. The purpose of the program is pastoral skills, pastoral formation, and learning from reflecting on experiences. I am in a peer group and I have a supervisor and mentors.
My pastor recommended the program and told me I would benefit even if I don’t end up as a hospital chaplain. He is right.

I, too, am a “occupational extrovert”, while very much introvert. I have spent the last 30 years staring at a computer in a cubicle and still do that 30 hours a week in addition to 15 hours at the hospital. I was happy with not having to talk to anyone until the last few years. It has take several months, but I am learning to enjoy talking and praying with total strangers. I care about their pain and grief. The anxiety keeps me on my toes. I have gained a lot of skill in knowing what to say and not say. I am learning to improve my active listening skills, which is essential for ministry.

Before I did this, I volunteered visiting patients at a local hospital for 5 months. I wasn’t allowed to talk about faith there, but it broke me in and help me to decide to go into CPE.

Instead of the 400 hours program, hospitals offer one year, paid CPE residencies to those working on a theology, so this would make you well qualified for Board Certified Chaplain. If you are interested, go to acpe.edu/ or google “Clinical Pastoral Education” to find programs in your area. You have to write admission essays and go for an interview. It took me a couple months to write the essays.
I believe God called me to do this, but he hasn’t told me what he wants me to do when I finish. No matter what, I will be more prepared for counseling and helping others wherever I go.

God bless you.
Betty G.
 
bettyg51 said:
I don’t have a Theology degree, but I am now in a Clinical Pastoral Education program to train to be a hospital chaplain. It is a 7 month long unit with 300 clinical hours and 100 hours of classroom training. The purpose of the program is pastoral skills, pastoral formation, and learning from reflecting on experiences. I am in a peer group and I have a supervisor and mentors.
My pastor recommended the program and told me I would benefit even if I don’t end up as a hospital chaplain. He is right.

I, too, am a “occupational extrovert”, while very much introvert. I have spent the last 30 years staring at a computer in a cubicle and still do that 30 hours a week in addition to 15 hours at the hospital. I was happy with not having to talk to anyone until the last few years. It has take several months, but I am learning to enjoy talking and praying with total strangers. I care about their pain and grief. The anxiety keeps me on my toes. I have gained a lot of skill in knowing what to say and not say. I am learning to improve my active listening skills, which is essential for ministry.

Before I did this, I volunteered visiting patients at a local hospital for 5 months. I wasn’t allowed to talk about faith there, but it broke me in and help me to decide to go into CPE.

Instead of the 400 hours program, hospitals offer one year, paid CPE residencies to those working on a theology, so this would make you well qualified for Board Certified Chaplain. If you are interested, go to acpe.edu/ or google “Clinical Pastoral Education” to find programs in your area. You have to write admission essays and go for an interview. It took me a couple months to write the essays.
I believe God called me to do this, but he hasn’t told me what he wants me to do when I finish. No matter what, I will be more prepared for counseling and helping others wherever I go.

God bless you.
Betty G.
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I have never done a CPE program, but I have friends who have and they all speak very highly of their experience. I’m glad that you found the program and that it is helping you personally and will eventually help you help others. I strongly believe that the family of the patients often need just as much or more pastoral care than the patients. It’s a very noble ministry and a compassionate one too.

Good luck to you.

JR 🙂
 
It seems my desire to look into ministry was just a flash. I really can’t get around the fact that I am not the kind of person who likes to deal with people. Thinking about ministry is not making me excited and happy. I do not want to regularly be in a place that makes me feel like my being reserved is a bad trait. I’ve worked at a nursing home as an assistant for five years. A year and a half of that time was full time work. Although it eased my conscience knowing that I was in a line of work that involved directly helping people, there was not a moment I spent there that I did not wish I were somewhere else. I am the kind of person who likes to learn, to be intellectual, and to read and write a lot. And I have more questions than I have guidance and answers for people when it comes to faith. I really loved studying theology. I didn’t want to quit. And I will undoubtedly keep going to some extent in my spare time. But I do not think I can be a minister. I’m very sad that there is not a practical job for me to do that is meaningful or something that I enjoy.
 
JeannetteCML said:
It seems my desire to look into ministry was just a flash. I really can’t get around the fact that I am not the kind of person who likes to deal with people. Thinking about ministry is not making me excited and happy. I do not want to regularly be in a place that makes me feel like my being reserved is a bad trait. I’ve worked at a nursing home as an assistant for five years. A year and a half of that time was full time work. Although it eased my conscience knowing that I was in a line of work that involved directly helping people, there was not a moment I spent there that I did not wish I were somewhere else. I am the kind of person who likes to learn, to be intellectual, and to read and write a lot. And I have more questions than I have guidance and answers for people when it comes to faith. I really loved studying theology. I didn’t want to quit. And I will undoubtedly keep going to some extent in my spare time. But I do not think I can be a minister. I’m very sad that there is not a practical job for me to do that is meaningful or something that I enjoy.
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Why not study Canon Law?
 
JeannetteCML said:
It seems my desire to look into ministry was just a flash. I really can’t get around the fact that I am not the kind of person who likes to deal with people. Thinking about ministry is not making me excited and happy. I do not want to regularly be in a place that makes me feel like my being reserved is a bad trait. I’ve worked at a nursing home as an assistant for five years. A year and a half of that time was full time work. Although it eased my conscience knowing that I was in a line of work that involved directly helping people, there was not a moment I spent there that I did not wish I were somewhere else. I am the kind of person who likes to learn, to be intellectual, and to read and write a lot. And I have more questions than I have guidance and answers for people when it comes to faith. I really loved studying theology. I didn’t want to quit. And I will undoubtedly keep going to some extent in my spare time. But I do not think I can be a minister. I’m very sad that there is not a practical job for me to do that is meaningful or something that I enjoy.
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Why don’t you look into doing Adult Faith Formation. Although I am a Pastoral Associate, one of my duties is Adult formation. It involves a lot of teaching. I also teach on the diocesan level. This often involves a lot of research and writing, especially when I am teaching a course that I develop myself instead of following the diocesan course syllabus. I also take courses to continue my education -fortunatly now I can audit and not take tests or write papers.

Being a pastoral minister does involve a lot of sitting with people and also doing some mundane administrative work. I am currently charged with keeping VIRTUS and background check records for the over 600 volunteers in the parish. It is a boring job but we are being audited by the diocese next month and all these records have to be up to date and in order and since they are confidental the pastor has given me the job.

I guess a lot depends on what the pastor’s expectations are for you and your position. I happen to have a lot of responsibilities…liturgy, adult formation, coordinating certain ministries and being present for parishioners. I know other Pastoral Associates who only have one thing they are in charge of, like RCIA or Music…but I don’t think that really fits in to the description of the job of Pastoral Associate that our diocese has developed, which is more of a ministerial generalist, able to take on any job the pastor may ask and educated enough to be able to tackle the difficult questions and situations.
 
Shlomey said:
Why not study Canon Law?
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Yes. We all know that canon law is for people who don’t like people. 🙂

Seriously, canon law work (as far as I know and as far as I am expecting) does tend to be more solitary or at least you work with a smaller group of people and do lots of writing and other paperwork-type tasks.

Anyway, JeannetteCML, if you want to ask about canon law, send me a message.

Dan
 
Thanks for the suggestion about canon law. After I finished my undergraduate degree I spoke with a canon lawyer once just to ask a few questions. The one question I couldn’t answer for him, however, was why was I interested in the first place. I don’t think canon law is something I could be passionate about. The possibility is a fine alternative to doing something unrelated to theology such as being an office assistant, though. But I have my doubts about whether I could find enough work for myself. I have heard that sometimes canon lawyers are appointed by the bishop of a specific area. The other thing is that I really don’t have a cent to my name right now. I have a good amount of student loan debt, and the idea of going for more schooling right now kind of strikes me as being morally irresponsible. I don’t know.

When I first began this journey, I was looking for an alternative to what I first majored in for two years: chemical engineering. I couldn’t focus on it well enough. I found that the interests and talents that I do have lie in writing. I wanted to be a writer in some capacity. And the subject I was most interested in was theology. I did not choose to major in journalism or English because I didn’t feel I needed to be instructed on how to write. I felt instead that I should become more knowledgable in the areas I wanted to write about. I figured the writing would come naturally. So I went for theology. I was young and idealistic at the time. And I am not sure if I made the right decision. But it is what I have to work with right now. Many teachers and friends that I know assumed that because I got my degrees in theology it was because I wanted to go into ministry or even teach. Well teaching might be an alternative, too. But both are a stretch for me. I have been praying a lot so that God can show me what he really wants me to do next. But writing and continued learning have always been what I really wanted to do.

I don’t know if anyone has any ideas about that. It seems that I could study and write if I were a college professor. But being in a position to be able to do that would seem as likely as winning the lottery to me. It felt much like that when I was awarded a full scholarship for my masters degree and was able to study in New York. I cannot take for granted anything that went into enabling me to earn that degree. And I am uncertain about putting my hopes into expecting that something like that could happen again.

I had one little adventure hoping I could get into editing with a Christian publishing company. I taught myself how to do copy editing and sent out resumes to about a hundred different companies. Two got back to me with test manuscripts to edit. But I found it difficult to stick to correcting the mechanics and ended up commenting too much on the material itself. In any case, for whatever reason, maybe lack of skill, I wasn’t able to get a job doing it. I wonder if there is another way into writing or publishing.

I have also been considering things I might do to become an effective minister anyway. I dug out the old classic I have “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” Maybe it’s a little hokey, but it’s useful. I want to ask those of you in ministry what you do when you feel that your well has run dry. I mean, I have been in ministry situations where there was faith sharing in small groups. And it seemed to me that the only people who had things to say were much older and wiser than I. I don’t know if I could ever be a wellspring of wisdom and insights as they seem to be. I struggle in my faith sometimes, too. And I think sometimes that I really studied theology to help myself rather than to prepare myself to help other people. My training has been academic rather than spiritual or social, I feel. Perhaps there are some things I could to do remedy that such as talking with a spiritual director, continuing to read spiritual works as I do often, or maybe try to find some kind of formation group.

I’m really unsure at this point. Anything that anyone can offer might help. Thanks.
 
Hi!

I read all the interesting suggestions, but here’s another thought… visit a retreat house in your area or one where you have made retreats… the religious there may be able to assist you or give suggestions for your locale.

Don’t forget the Vicar for Religious either. She can give you info on what’s going on in your diocese.

Hope you find the place reserved especially for you by the Lord.

Blessings!
 
JeannetteCML said:
But writing and continued learning have always been what I really wanted to do.
I had one little adventure hoping I could get into editing with a Christian publishing company.
I have also been considering things I might do to become an effective minister anyway.
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First of all, do not force yourself to do ministry. It is not job, it is way of life. Yes, theological background is very important, but there is much more in it, and if you don’t have IT, you just…don’t have it.
Now, did you ever contact your diocese office? So often they are looking for qualified workers for different stuff, like publications, formation in seminary, etc. Check your diocese website for employment options or even better, contact someone in charge.

Good luck!
 
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