Prison Ministry Coordinator -Catholic Charities of South Jersey – Camden Diocese

Byrreda@ssjphila.org

Catholic Charities of South Jersey
Diocese of Camden
Prison Ministry Coordinator Job Description

SUMMARY: The Prison Ministry of Catholic Charities serves the incarcerated and their families in the six counties of the Diocese of Camden.  Catholic Charities of South Jersey is seeking a Religious Sister to serve as the Prison Ministry Coordinator, who reports to the Executive Director, who will work with the jails and prisons in order to organize spiritual support for those incarcerated, work with parishes to recruit and train volunteers, and organize supportive services and programs for the families of those incarcerated.  This is a part-time position (approximately 15 – 20 hours per week) that requires travel throughout the Diocese and some evening and weekend responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Develop relationships and communicate with carceral systems (Local, State, Federal-Wardens/Chaplains) in promoting Catholic Prison Ministry
    • Obtain copy of individual systems’ application and required training
    • Schedule orientation and required training with each system
    • Maintain and update records of carceral contacts (addresses, phone/cells/email addresses)
  2. Develop and deliver religious programs (Bible Study, faith-based programs, etc.) to meet the spiritual needs of the incarcerated.
  3. Maintain a library of books, articles, videos, prayers for PM
  4. Direct pastoral and sacramental ministry to the incarcerated
  5. Recruit, train, schedule, and manage PM volunteers.
  6. Organize annual Bishop masses at the prisons
  7. Educate Parishes/Parishioners on the nature of incarceration, the needs of imprisoned persons and their families
    • Prepare diocesan workshops to redevelop individual parish prison healing ministry through prayer and parish services
    • Assists in the development of support programs for families (Angel Tree, Support Meetings. Pen Pal)
    • Organize an annual prison ministry conference
  8. Advocate for the rights of the incarcerated using a variety of media outlets
  9. Collaborate with other ministries and Diocese programs to support PM

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Commitment to the mission of Catholic Charities.
  2. Be patient and compassionate and be able to communicate these qualities to others.
  3. Be sensitive to the needs of ethnically, culturally, and economically diverse populations.
  4. Possess good de-escalation and negotiation
  5. Good reasoning, problem solving, and decision-making skills.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

  • Previous Prison Ministry experience preferred
  • BA/MA in Religious Studies preferred
  • Religious Sister

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  • manual dexterity and technology skills appropriate to use a personal computer
  • ability to travel throughout the counites as needed

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position requires travel to jails, prisons, parishes, etc., in all counties including Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, Cape May, and Atlantic County