"They are all CEO's," he said, referring to the task force of pastors, pastoral associates and parishioners that came up with the recommendations for the Archdiocese.

Among them are prison ministers, counselors, chaplains, social workers, teachers, pastoral associates, musicians, health care workers, bakers, spiritual directors, writers and neighborhood outreach coordinators.

Her mother is the pastoral associate for Christ Episcopal Church in New Brunswick, N.J.

A member of the laity is appointed as pastoral associate and manages the church services, parish council and rectory.

This prayer may include the pastor anointing the sick with olive oil and with the assistance of church elders along with pastoral associates laying hands on the one seeking healing.

Many Catholic parishes employ "pastoral associates", lay people who serve in ministerial or administrative roles, assisting the pastor in his work, but who are not ordained clerics.

On Oct. 31, Tom Sanger, a pastoral associate, resigned to protest her ouster.

As a pastoral associate at Our Lady Help of Christians in Newton, Sister Marie, 61, has been central to the lives of her parishioners.

It is no secret around Our Lady's that the pastoral associates would like to take on duties that are now the domain of the priests, like performing the sacraments.

During those years, he lived in residence and served as part-time pastoral associate in area parishes.