Four new pastoral associates of the archdiocese were encouraged to be "people of hope" amid the difficulties of society and parish life at their Nov. 7 commissioning.
"The power of the risen Jesus is more powerful" than the negative influences --- war, discord, terror on the streets and fear --- that surround us, Cardinal Roger Mahony told the four women in his homily at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
"We are called to be a people who believe in risen life," he said. "And the risen life must always be our attitude and our goal. If we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus then we are able to face with faith the truths around us. We are called to be people of conviction and hope."
The newly-commissioned pastoral associates have each received master's degrees, been mentored, and most importantly prepared spiritually for their new roles, said St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Carol Quinlivan, coordinator of the archdiocesan Pastoral Associate Program. Each pastoral associate is required to have a spiritual director and participate in a retreat each year.
"The spiritual component is essential," said Sister Quinlivan. "This is not just about theological studies and technical information, but in our day these must be men and women of faith."
Pastoral associates in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles share in many of the leadership roles related to the running of today's parish and coordination of ministries, and share the belief that they are called to this new ministry and that they share their call with others.
"These individuals feel a genuine call to this ecclesial ministry," said Sister Quinlivan. "They have gone through discernment and many have given up lucrative careers to follow this call of shared leadership in the church."
For newly-commissioned Pastoral Associate Yolanda Brown of Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights, "the commissioning is an affirmation of my baptismal call to lead others in living the Gospel message and be of service to parishes such as Dolores Mission, a pastoral model for social justice."
Noted Joy Jones of Holy Trinity Church, San Pedro: "I've always felt called by God to be involved in the parish. It has all seemed to center on this moment and at this time I am meant to be helping people get closer to God, to help them realize their baptismal call to ministry."
"I have always felt I had a vocation to serve God's people," said Ann Karner, American Martyrs Church, Manhattan Beach. "For years I have prayed and searched until pastoral associate became the answer. As a pastoral associate I will be able to continue to respond to my baptismal call but in a fuller way as I serve God by serving God's people."
Religious Sister of the Sacred Heart of Mary Pauline MacDonald has spent most of her life working in and enjoying parish ministry --- Bible study, RCIA, small Christian communities, religious education and liturgy.
"A parish is a place where you can be close to people and share in their stories and in their journeys," she said. "All of what I've done brings me very close to people and where they are in their safe journey. In sharing their journey I share their joys as well as their struggles. This type of ministry is a way of empowering lay people." |