Intercultural Ministry Specialist

#LI-On-Site

Overview

The Saint John Paul II National Shrine is a response to Saint John Paul II’s call for a “New Evangelization.” The Shrine is a place of genuine encounter with the living God through the life and legacy of Saint John Paul II. This legacy includes a dialogue between faith and culture that advances the inculturation of the Gospel, recognizes the unique contribution that each culture enriched by the Gospel makes to the history and tradition of the Church and engages with non-Catholic Christian churches and with adherents of non-Christian religions and philosophies.

The Intercultural Ministry Specialist leads the Shrine’s efforts to evangelize cultures and help pilgrims from different cultural groups express their people’s encounter with the Gospel, preserved in their cultural heritage. These groups represent people from Latin American, Black, Native American, European and Asian and Pacific Islander cultures within the United States, as well as ex-patriot communities from abroad. The Shrine’s Intercultural Ministry responds to distinct cultural groups who most frequently visit the Shrine, especially Spanish-speaking groups. In collaboration with the rest of the Mission & Ministry team and in partnership with parishes, dioceses and other ecclesiastical organizations, the Intercultural Ministry Specialist develops and implements programs, materials, and events to express the mutual enrichment of faith and culture in the various cultural groups visiting the Shrine. This staff member also advises the Mission & Ministry team about cultural characteristics of the pilgrim groups who visit the Shrine.

Core Responsibilities

• Program Development that properly integrates the themes and theology of Saint John Paul II, especially on the topics of faith, culture, and evangelization.
• Collaboratively plan and execute outreach programs, including liturgical celebrations.
• Seek opportunities to partner with pilgrim groups from distinct cultures.
• Foster unity in faith among Catholics from different cultural groups.
• Materials Development and Public Presentations in multiple languages that respond to the needs of cultural communities and encourage intercultural participation.
• Research, draft, and edit materials for multigenerational and multicultural audiences.
• Prepare and deliver talks and workshops, including presentations in small pastoral settings and larger public gatherings.
• Ecumenical and Interreligious partnerships and programming that promote communion with other Christian Churches and religions through “prayer, dialogue, and joint action” heeding the exhortation of Pope John Paul II in Ecclesia in America 49.
• Partnership and Institutional Relationship Development with relevant church associations, educational institutions, and neighboring dioceses.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• The above core responsibilities are directed to achieving specific, measurable annual goals determined by the Director of Mission & Ministry in consultation with the employee and the Executive Director of the Shrine.

Skills Qualifications

• This position requires the employee to be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church.
• Fluency in English and Spanish required, additional languages a plus
• Deep knowledge and experience of the diversity of Hispanic cultures and traditions, with an understanding of Native American, African, and Asian cultures
• Knowledge of the life and legacy of John Paul II and a desire to help others learn
• Ability to present and relate the Catholic faith to a multi-generational and intercultural general audience
• Experience working with diverse groups of people and providing exceptional service to pilgrims and other visitors in a highly professional environment and large metropolitan area
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience supervising volunteers and people in formation in a collaborative setting
• Ability to combine creative overall planning with attention to detail
• Skilled in the use of new media for digital evangelization, including social media
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite preferred

Education

• Graduate Degree in Theology, Catechetics, Pastoral Ministry, Intercultural Ministry, or other related field of study preferred.
• 5-10 years of relevant experience OR equivalent combination of training and experience, V Encuentro experience a plus

Authorization to work in the United States is required

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Compensation

The wage range for this role takes into account a broad array of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to: skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.  The range below applies as long as the work is performed in Connecticut; the Knights of Columbus reserves the right to adjust the wage range if the position is performed in another location.  At the Knights of Columbus, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $70,500-$120,000.

Physical Demands