Ambassador of Reconciliation

The Archdiocese Of Omaha has created a leadership position encompassing the Dioceses of Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, and the Jesuit Midwest Province. We have urban, suburban, and rural parishes that come to 'the table' with unique blessings, but future generations are leaving. We seek a leader who can build bridges and open doors with future generations in mind. In Laudato Si, Pope Francis says, "We lack leadership capable of striking out on new paths and meeting the needs of the present with concern for all without prejudice towards coming generations." Are you a leader who can see the 'Gaps' and respond humbly and with empathy and love for future generations? Overall, one in ten American adults (10.1%) have left the Catholic Church after being raised Catholic.

In contrast, only 2.6% of adults have become Catholic after being raised something other than Catholic. (Pew Research Center, 2011) We can do better, and we need leaders to help. Leaders who can help us reconcile our differences and celebrate our diversity.

Ministry of Reconciliation

The Archdiocese of Omaha has identified Gaps in the area of Christian Unity within our Catholic Identity. Within our boundaries in the state of Nebraska, the three dioceses of Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island have different issues, cultural biases, and priorities. This is also true of individual parishes. The rural parishes are seen as 'conservative,' and the inner city parishes are seen as 'liberal.' They see each other as different and, sometimes, 'not Catholic.' This couldn't be further from the truth. Robert Schreiter, in his book 'The Ministry of Reconciliation, Spirituality, and Strategies,' writes, 'One part of the problem is that it is easier to galvanize collective negative emotion against something or someone than it is to organize collective positive emotion for something or someone. (p. 10) In his book, Scheiter invites Christians to contemplate stories of scripture, such as the story of the women at the resurrection. 'A spirituality of reconciliation collects the shards of a shattered existence carefully and helps the victims piece them back together as best they can. It goes in search of those who have disappeared.' (p. 38) By establishing an Office of Reconciliation and Ambassador position, we hope to create a more unifying church by bridging our differences and piecing together our gaps. We need to reach out to those who have 'disappeared' because we are not unified. The Ministry of Reconciliation can help lead the Catholic Church in it's desire to be more unified.

Time to Re-Imagine Leadership and Challenges facing the Church
The Church cannot continue on a path of division. We are not a conservative church; we are not a liberal church; we are a universal church. We must learn to embrace our differences. It's what makes us dynamic and alive. There is space in our pews for everyone. 'The story of the ministry of reconciliation always begins in the humility of everyday life, with someone responding to a gap. This is also where leadership begins.' (Katongole and Rice p. 125) We are looking for that leader who reaches across the aisle and humbly invites people in and 'back.'

Job Responsibilities

Communicate and directly report to the Office of the Archbishop
Develop and maintain a budget for the new Office of Reconciliation
Establish and maintain a relationship with the Dioceses of Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island
Establish and maintain a relationship with the Jesuit Midwest Province.
Establish and maintain a relationship with administrators in the Catholic school system of Nebraska
Manage and moderate the online coffeehouse
Schedule Coffeehouse Guest Speakers who inspire and demonstrate reconciliation characteristics
Design and Manage a yearly retreat on Reconciliation for Catholic Leadership
Maintain a Reconciliation Website and Vlog and Blog and Podcast
Maintain and manage all social media from the Office of Reconciliation website

Required Skills

Candidate must possess strong verbal communication skills with public speaking and presentation skills
Candidate must possess strong, active listening skills
Candidate needs to have effective writing skills and be proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel
Candidate must have proficient technological website management skills
Candidate needs to be proficient in social media management
Candidate needs to have experience in using Zoom as a means of group communication

Qualifications

Prefer MA in Ministry, Theology, Communication, Christian Spirituality, or Catholic Education
Minimum of 5 years experience in a leadership role that required collaboration and teamwork
Practicing Catholic and active prayer life
Certification in Spiritual Direction preferred
Experience in Retreat Leadership and Programming
Higher Degree classes in Scripture, Catholic Social Justice, and Catholic Doctrine, or work experience that required an understanding of these concepts
Experience in Fund Raising preferred

Leadership Characteristics

Candidate needs to understand the concept of diplomacy and professionalism in the work setting as well as the social media environment
Candidate must have theological knowledge and understanding of the meaning of Reconciliation
Candidate needs to be reliable and able to maintain confidentiality
Candidate needs to be creative, curious, open-minded, and collaborative
Candidate must possess a sense of humor and the ability to inspire through stories.
Candidate must be 'capable of striking out on new paths meeting the need of the present with concern for all without prejudice toward coming generations.'

We need to connect, and we need to be heard. During his opening remarks at the Synod on Synodality, Pope Francis said, 'Synodality is not easy, but it is beautiful.' The great work of the Holy Spirit is harmony, he said, adding that “if there’s no harmony, there’s no Holy Spirit.” This position will manage our new online coffeehouse dialogue between parishes on Zoom across the state every month. Where we can have 'beautiful' conversations.

Cup of Harmony Coffeehouse

Where beautiful conversations happen

How to Apply

Send a Resume and cover letter answering these questions:

1. What is my greatest strength as a leader?

2. Who is a leader I admire who possesses reconciliation characteristics, dead or alive? And why.

3. What is your understanding of Reconciliation?

4. How can story-telling and humor add value to the reconciliation process?

5. What 'Gaps' in society or your own community have you witnessed or experienced in your life?

Slide for examples of leaders of reconciliation and change

Ambassador of Reconciliation

Job Responsibilities

Required Skills

Qualifications

Leadership Characteristics

Cup of Harmony Coffeehouse

Send to Archdiocese of Omaha
c/o Jay Carney

Love

Ambassador of Reconciliation

Job Responsibilities

Required Skills

Qualifications

Leadership Characteristics

Cup of Harmony Coffeehouse

Send to Archdiocese of Omaha c/o Jay Carney

Love

Send to Archdiocese of Omaha
c/o Jay Carney