Discipleship Specialist - Marriage and Family Accompaniment

The Archdiocese of Melbourne through its ministries and agencies is at the service of the people of God, planting the Gospel of Jesus Christ into their communities and lives daily.

Presided over by the Archbishop of Melbourne, the Archdiocese comprises around 1.1 million Catholics, and is the largest Archdiocese in Australia with a wide variety of people, cultures and ministries, providing services and support including pastoral, educational, social welfare and administrative support.

Under the guidance of four key priorities outlined by the Archbishop, the works and activities of the Archdiocese are oriented towards a missionary focus to address the ongoing needs of: Local Communities; Families; Youth and Young Adults; and the Poor and the Broken.

This is achieved through a pro-active engagement in the sharing of Mission; a reaching out in Gospel boldness; operating in an agile and responsive mindset; identifying and embracing what is fruit bearing in our works; understanding the outward focus and call of being missionary disciples; and being mindful of good stewarding in terms of time, talent and gifts.

If you would like to find out more about the Archdiocese of Melbourne please click here

The role

The primary purpose of the Discipleship Specialist – Marriage and Family Accompaniment is to support and equip parish communities that seek to bring families to faith and grow families in faith. Utilising a discipleship-based approach to marriage and family accompaniment the position will develop a diocesan-wide approach to form, prepare, and empower parish communities to aid couples in their discernment and preparation for marriage and engage families in making lifelong disciples of their children.

This role sits within the Proclaim team. The Proclaim team is at the service of parish communities within the Archdiocese, offering strategies, resources, and support.

• Serve and Support the Parish
• Opportunity to Put Faith into Action
• Hybrid working Model - Flexible work options

Please note: To effectively identify and serve the needs of parish and local communities this role will require regular travel to parishes across the Archdiocese of Melbourne with a reasonable expectation to work weeknights and weekends as and when required.

What is Discipleship?

Discipleship is the way in which the Archdiocese encourages and fosters those encounters that shape people according to the new life the Lord calls them into. The discipleship –based approach encourages parishes and communities to walk beside individuals, couples and families and equip those who accompany them into a relationship with Jesus. The discipleship-based approach seeks to change the culture of ministry and has as its focus, not a particular model or program, but ‘a way’ in which the individual and their ministry is ordered toward both becoming and forming disciples.

About the department

The Proclaim team is divided into three domain areas that direct our efforts:

• Animation – focussed on parish renewal with a team of animation consultants who work directly in support of clergy and parish leadership teams.
• Discipleship – supporting youth and young adults, campus ministry, family accompaniment and a vocations culture.
• Formation – providing publications (including the To Know, Worship & Love texts) and resources for adult faith formation, liturgy, prayer and initiation.

What you will bring to the role

• A strong commitment to the teachings of the Catholic Church, including a passion for marriage, families and outreach.
• A desire to deepen and grow in their understanding and knowledge of their personal relationship with Jesus and their own faith formation.
• Demonstrate an interest in and an ease with working collaboratively with peers and mission partners.
• The capacity to deal sensitively and intelligently with difficult issues.
• Sound time-management skills and ability to prioritise.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task and work quickly and efficiently.
• High level of integrity, honesty and confidentiality, with an awareness and appreciation of Catholic Social Teaching.
• Ability to work collaboratively within and across departments, agencies, and ministries of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Specialist skills, qualifications, and experience

• Experience in Ministry/Mission within the Catholic Church and among couples and/or families
• Degree qualified in relevant discipline (i.e. Theology, Pastoral Care, Education) or currently undertaking

We welcome enquiries – for further information

Please review a copy of the Position Description attached or contact Teresa Rhynehart on 0402 148 300 for a confidential discussion.

How to Apply

Please apply here https://jobs.swagapp.com/jobs/. As part of the application process, you will need to provide a copy of your current resume and a cover letter addressing the requirements of the role.

Please note: To be successful in this role you must hold valid working rights in Australia.

Employment with CAM is subject to satisfactory pre-employment screening requirements which include the following:

• A valid National Police Records Check
• A valid Working with Children Check.
• Qualification Check (where a mandatory qualification is required)

Applications for this role close Tuesday 11 April 2023