They work well over 40 hours a week serving the spiritual needs of parishioners in both good times and bad. They're pioneers on the front lines of one-priest parishes, preparing themselves for the day they may be called to lead church communities without a resident priest.
They are pastoral associates in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and their numbers are growing.
"This program is the future of the church," said St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Carol Quinlivan, archdiocesan pastoral associate director. "People are responding to their baptismal call to serve. Many are taking a huge cut in salary to do this." Currently, 18 pastoral associates serve in the archdiocese, and eight more will be commissioned this fall.
Locally, the pastoral associate program began over five years ago. Applicants accepted into the program must complete a master's degree in theology or pastoral studies at a Catholic college and attend monthly formation meetings. The majority of candidates in the program worked in the business world while doing part-time volunteer parish ministry.
"We help people discern if this is a call for them," said Sister Quinlivan. "This is meant to be a ministry position. In formation, the candidates learn collaborative ministry, conflict management and how to identify their own gifts. I feel the quality of people coming forward is outstanding with wonderful team-building skills."
According to Sister Quinlivan, most candidates currently in formation range in age from 30 to 60 and are married with grown or young children. "They genuinely feel it's a call --- not a job," she said. "I hope parishes continue to encourage lay leadership to come forth. It reminds me of the early church. It's a very positive and exciting time."
Married minister
Deacon Bruce Sago, 49, a pastoral associate at St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Burbank for two-and-a-half years, loves his dual role as a permanent deacon and pastoral associate. A convert and former policeman from West Covina, the 6' 2" 200-pound Sago is a husband and father of two who was ordained to the permanent diaconate in 1998.
"The church really needs to see married people in leadership positions in church," said Sago. He commutes 27 miles to serve alongside Father Lawrence Signey, whom he met while serving as a deacon at St. Gregory the Great Church in Whittier.
"I'm energized by my job," said Sago, who estimates he works 50- to 60-hour weeks at the parish. "I can't imagine doing anything else that would give me more satisfaction or joy. My wife says if I could live in the rectory, I probably would."
Among the archdiocese's first group of 18 pastoral associates commissioned in 2003, Sago said he appreciates Father Signey's understanding of the position's emphasis on ministry. "He told me I wasn't responsible for lights, locks or leaks," smiled Sago.
He leads Christian initiation and confirmation and does a lot of community outreach. Since arriving at the parish, Sago has started a Tuesday Bible Study, an active bereavement ministry and a social justice program in which parishioners cook for disadvantaged members of the community.
"I'm the big mouth that tries to force people to move," laughed Sago. "You have to interact with people so they can figure out who and what you are." He likes to be visible at the school, getting the children used to seeing a layperson doing ministry. His work as a police chaplain is often a conversation starter. "A lot of men talk to me," Sago confided.
"We can be a real help to the priest," Sago said. "I don't ever want to do anything to devalue the priest's presence. It may not always be possible to have that presence."
A source of continuity
St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Mary Ann Martin, 53, is providing continuity as pastoral associate at SS. Felicitas and Perpetua Church in San Marino in the wake of a series of priest administrator transitions over the past two years. She coordinates parish activities, working as part of a leadership team with administrator Father Paul Fitzpatrick.
A member of the first archdiocesan pastoral associate class along with Deacon Sago, Sister Martin estimates she works 60 hours a week. Her many duties include: supervising religious education in the parish, conducting RCIA and confirmation, teaching baptismal classes, handling wedding preparation and marriage dissolution, holding graveside vigils and bringing Communion to the sick.
She meets with Father Fitzpatrick daily to go over the schedule of Masses and parish activities. When he has his day off, Sister Martin or three other lay leaders conduct a Eucharistic service. Many parishioners often request her presence to pray at the bedside of sick family members.
"Sometimes, people are more comfortable speaking with a woman than a priest," said Sister Martin. Many parishioners have told her she has been their rock during this time of transition.
"The parish has come a long way with their sense of openness and awareness of changes in liturgy and sacramental theology," said Sister Martin. "They've been open to my ministry of pastoral care." |