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Pastoral Associate

Kansas City, MO · On-site

Therese North Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri is seeking a Pastoral Associate that will assist the Pastor with the development and implementation of activities and programs designed to build ...

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How much do catholic pastoral associate jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for catholic pastoral associate in the United States is $51,245.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $61,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Catholic Pastoral Associate?

A Catholic Pastoral Associate is a layperson or sometimes a religious sister or brother who assists the pastor in the overall pastoral care and administration of a parish. Their duties often include coordinating ministries, leading faith formation programs, providing pastoral counseling, and supporting liturgical functions. While they do not perform sacramental roles reserved for ordained clergy, Pastoral Associates play a vital role in building community, supporting parishioners, and helping to execute the parish's mission. Their responsibilities may vary depending on the needs of the parish and the direction of the pastor.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Catholic Pastoral Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Catholic Pastoral Associate, you need a solid understanding of Catholic theology, pastoral care principles, and often a degree in theology, religious studies, or a related field. Familiarity with parish management systems, liturgical planning tools, and sometimes certification in pastoral ministry is highly beneficial. Compassion, active listening, and strong interpersonal communication are crucial soft skills for supporting parishioners and collaborating with clergy and volunteers. These skills ensure effective ministry, foster community engagement, and uphold the spiritual mission of the church.

What are some common challenges faced by Catholic Pastoral Associates in supporting diverse parish communities?

Catholic Pastoral Associates often serve parishioners from varied backgrounds, cultures, and age groups, which can present challenges in meeting different pastoral and spiritual needs. Navigating language barriers, integrating new parishioners, and balancing traditional practices with contemporary approaches require adaptability and strong interpersonal skills. Additionally, Associates frequently coordinate with clergy, volunteers, and lay leaders, so effective communication and collaboration are essential to fostering an inclusive and welcoming parish environment.

What is the difference between Catholic Pastoral Associate vs Catholic Youth Minister?

AspectCatholic Pastoral AssociateCatholic Youth Minister
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in theology, pastoral studies, or related field; certification may be preferredOften requires similar educational background; specialized training in youth ministry is common
Work EnvironmentWorks in churches, parishes, or diocesan offices, engaging with diverse parish community membersPrimarily works with youth groups, schools, and youth-focused programs within the church setting
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across Catholic parishes and dioceses for pastoral care rolesCommonly employed in youth ministry programs within Catholic institutions

The main difference is that Catholic Pastoral Associates provide broader pastoral support to the entire parish community, while Catholic Youth Ministers focus specifically on engaging and guiding youth. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work within church environments, but their target audiences and responsibilities differ.

More about Catholic Pastoral Associate jobs
What cities are hiring for Catholic Pastoral Associate jobs? Cities with the most Catholic Pastoral Associate job openings:
What states have the most Catholic Pastoral Associate jobs? States with the most job openings for Catholic Pastoral Associate jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Catholic Pastoral Associate jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Catholic Pastoral Associate jobs are:
Catholic Pastoral Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Catholic Pastoral Associate job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, and 24% Part Time. Highlights an 88% In-person, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,245 per year, or $24.6 per hour.

Pastoral Associate

St Therese Catholic Church Kansas City

Kansas City, MO • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Description

Position Title: Pastoral Associate

Status: Full time, exempt

Reports to: Pastor


Position Objective:


St. Therese North Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri is seeking a Pastoral Associate that will assist the Pastor with the development and implementation of activities and programs designed to build up the faith life of adults in the parish. This position will direct or collaborate in pastoral care, adult faith formation, evangelization, OCIA and sacramental preparation. The Pastoral Associate will average 25-35 hours per week.


Essential Duties:

  • Direct adult education and faith formation programs.
  • Coordinate and facilitate the parish OCIA program.
  • Provide pastoral care for families.
  • Prepare documentation for sacramental records.
  • Oversee, direct, and train volunteers.
  • Assess needs of parish adults for spiritual, intellectual, emotional and religious growth.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Exercise strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Earn other's trust and respect through consistent honesty and professionalism in all interactions.
  • Build constructive working relationships.
  • Promote a sense of collaboration and teamwork.
  • Earn trust and respect from a diverse group of staff, volunteers and parishioners 
  • Manage multiple, competing priorities

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Theology or related field, Master's degree preferred.
  • Minimum 3-5 years' experience teaching/facilitation education programs.
  • Minimum 3-5 years' experience providing Pastoral Care.
  • Evening and weekend availability.
  • Practicing Catholic with ethical standards, personal integrity, and conduct consistent with the morals and teachings of the Catholic Church; includes faithful obedience to the Magisterium. 


St. Therese North offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental and vision plans, STD/LTD fully paid by the employer, retirement plans including a 403b plan and a defined benefit pension plan. Paid time off includes generous Vacation and Sick leaves, plus paid Holidays. 

Requirements

Note: All employees are required to consent to a background check, commit to our Code of Conduct policy, and complete online and in-person trainings prior to hire.

Apply