By EmmaLee Italia | Correspondent

The role of the pastoral associate varies from parish to parish. Some focus on one particular ministry, while others serve to coordinate several ministries. Still others are responsible for much of their parish's sacramental preparation programs and community outreach.

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But one universal thread seems to be woven throughout the fabric that is the pastoral associate: they love their work.

"I'm very happy to be working for the Church," said Deacon Michael Stinsman, pastoral associate for Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Maple Shade, for the past three years. "I love it ... It's what I'm called to do."

Pastoral associates, as defined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, are men and women who are professionally qualified to minister within a parish or institution, sharing in the daily care of the faithful, as well as assessing needs, planning and implementation of parish ministries and operation.

Essentially, the pastoral associate wears many hats. Though responsibilities vary, the call is the same: to serve the people of the parish and help communicate their needs to the pastor, fostering the relationship between the faithful and their Church.

During a day of spiritual care and networking held Dec. 10 in St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, pastoral associates from around the Diocese of Trenton had the opportunity to gather as a group, meeting new faces and sharing common experiences in their ministries.

"They (the pastoral associates) would often say, 'we don't have a chance to visit with each other when we come together,'" said Terry A. Ginther, diocesan executive director of Pastoral Planning and Mission, whose office sponsored the event. "We would like to give them this opportunity more often ... This is a chance to connect with others in the same ministry. It's a real stress-reliever for them."

The enthusiasm in the room was palpable as the associates visited animatedly with their ministerial companions in several five-minute "speed-meetings" with as many other associates as time would allow. The day also included Mass with Father Michael Hall, diocesan director of the Office of Worship, and a theological reflection led by Deanna V. Sass, diocesan director of the Department of Pastoral Care.

"How we interact with others has an impact," Sass emphasized. "We need to remember that."

Though some pastoral associates knew early on that they were destined for their particular ministry, many found their way in through the back door. For Deacon Stinsman, the impetus to search for his current position came when he lost his job.

"I originally wanted to be a DRE (director of religious education)," Deacon Stinsman recalled, "but that wasn't available at the time. So I kept looking, and this position opened up."

A deacon for 11 years now in Sacred Heart Parish, Riverton, Deacon Stinsman's role for the past three years in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish is coordinating the ministry to the elderly and homebound of the parish.

"We oversee three nursing homes and a senior residence -- that's about 250 Catholics there, plus another 50 homebound," he explained. "We have a Communion service at each place once a month, as well as Mass and [recitation of the] Rosary." His job also includes offering a supplemental hospice ministry for those who are returning home from hospital.

"It's a big job," Deacon Stinsman chuckled. "I have about 50 volunteers helping me out." He recalled one specific volunteer who interacted with each individual in a personal way. "She'll go up to each person, looking them right in the face and touching them on the hand, and say, 'How are you doing today?' ... I'm so thankful for the people who help me out. They're a real blessing. They have a real heart for God, too."

Mark Russoniello, pastoral associate and member of St. Leo the Great Parish, Lincroft, defined his ministry as "whatever the pastor tells me to do!" That includes three main areas: catechesis, liturgy and pastoral care.

Like Deacon Stinsman, Russoniello worked in the secular world before finally finding a home in serving the Church. He worked as a retail stock broker, parole officer, assistant director for the department of Health and Human Services and in the non-profit sector, to name a few.

What led him to this ministry? "The Holy Spirit -- is there any other answer?" he quipped. "I like to say it took me 53 years to figure out what I wanted to do when I grew up."

As Russoniello put it, "by the grace of God I lost my job, and was out of work for three and a half years." He believes he was led to his ministerial position as a fulfillment of his vocation, rather than just beginning a new job. While out of work, he pursued his lifelong desire to earn a Master's degree in theology; during his study, his pastor approached him and asked him to work part time as a weekend sacristan -- which then grew into a full-time pastoral associate position.

"During the past five years, the job has grown, and it has really been a gift and a blessing," Russoniello explained. "One of the worst things that can happen to a person is, when you grow older, to look back on your life and say, 'I wish I had done this.' And that's really what vocations are about. We have jobs -- but our vocation is what God calls us to do; it's the thing that we feel most right about in our lives."

Along with two additional pastoral associates who are Sisters of St. Joseph, Russoniello has worked with a core team of volunteers to refocus the parish to the centrality of Christ. With the anticipated opening of the Jubilee Year of Mercy as the impetus, the group began planning over the summer how best to identify populations within the parish that need more outreach.

"We are all called to holiness, regardless of our station," Russoniello said. "Living the presence of God, and manifesting that presence of God in how we interact with other human beings. When we treat (others) with the recognition of their God-given dignity, that comes through. And we can do that no matter who we are.

"It's something I take very seriously," he continued. "It's an awesome responsibility, but it's also an awesome gift."

Jennifer Schlameuss-Perry has been pastoral associate for just one month in St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold -- also the parish to which she belongs. But she brings almost 20 years of parish ministry experience to her new job, and has always felt compelled to serve the Church in some capacity.

"I always felt God was calling me toward caring for others, but didn't know what exactly," she explained. After experiencing a personal encounter with God and studying in Georgian Court University, Lakewood, then Boston College, she felt drawn toward parish ministry.

In working with the various ministries of her parish, Schlameuss-Perry's goal is to "focus all of them on the Year of Mercy and how we can be more merciful to others and ourselves." To that end, St. Robert Bellarmine Parish will be one of the parishes hosting a Holy Hour on Divine Mercy Sunday.

During her 16 years as pastoral associate in St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson, Schlameuss-Perry had the opportunity to encounter not only parishioners but also those visiting, or seeking answers to questions about the Church. One such visitor came in spoiling for a theological fight, but instead ended up having an intelligent discussion with Schlameuss-Perry for over an hour.

"We ended up hugging afterwards," she recalled. "(Encounters) like that happen a lot."

Despite the jobs challenges, Schlameuss-Perry's efforts are rewarded by the laity's participation.

"It's the parishioners' joy and enthusiasm that fuels me and keeps me going," she attested. "We have a future because of these people. It's inspiring."

St. Joseph Sister Pat McGinley, pastoral associate in St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, also began her job recently, starting officially in September. But she has worked in numerous pastoral settings over the years, including the National Office of Renew, the Diocese of Las Vegas, Nev., and Iona College, New Rochelle, N.Y.

At St. Ann's, Sister Pat works with a team ministry consisting of herself, the pastor and two additional pastoral associates. Together they coordinate the various parish ministries.

"I've always been a parish person: I believe very strongly in parish life," she explained. "Right now my emphasis is liturgical ministries, to get them more grounded, and prayerful celebration of the liturgy ... ministry to the sick and homebound ... and recruiting new volunteers -- really, searching for all the gifts and talents in the parish and making them come to life."

Sister Pat enjoys seeing more of the laity, particularly women, involved in leadership positions and becoming more involved in the life of the parish.

"I love to see the gifts and talents of the laity emerge," she said, "seeing them take ownership over whatever area it is... all of that comes back to more meaningful liturgy."

Her good friend Deacon Lee Zito, pastoral associate and member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Hainesport, agreed.

"The love of the parish led me to this ministry," he said. "(I love) being with the people ... We're always trying to come up with new ideas and plans to bring back new life to the parish."

Deacon Zito, a deacon for 10 years, has served two years as pastoral associate. During that time his focus has been fostering community and "keeping it fresh ... and exciting."

Sister Pat echoed his sentiment, emphasizing that "community is the heart; where there's community, there's parish life."

"Being a deacon and pastoral associate is not always a ministry of convenience," Deacon Zito continued. "But it's exciting and joyful ... I don't feel like I 'have' to do a baptism or I 'have' to do a Mass -- I'm excited to do it. I pinch myself every weekend -- I can't believe I'm here. It's the greatest job ever. I can't wait to get to work!"