The Office of Pastoral Ministry, part of the Secretariat for Laity, Family, and Life, is dedicated to supporting and equipping parishes, clergy, religious, and lay leaders in their pastoral endeavors within the Church. Our mission is to provide leadership, guidance, and resources to facilitate effective pastoral activity and to offer comprehensive formation programs for lay leaders.

We understand the importance of equipping individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to become exceptional pastoral leaders in the Catholic community. Through our formation programs, we ensure that participants receive the training and support needed to excel in their collaborative work with pastors. Continuing education and spiritual enrichment are also fundamental to our office’s goals. We offer ongoing formation opportunities for lay pastoral ministers, fostering lifelong learning and enkindling a deeper faith.

At the heart of our work is pastoral care, where we provide guidance, support, and resources to address the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical needs of individuals and families in our diocese. Our efforts encompass a range of pastoral ministries, including ministries to the sick, bereavement and consolation, grief support, care for the divorced, separated, and widowed, marriage enrichment, mental health awareness, and other initiatives and lay ministries that enhance parish life and pastoral care.

Ministries & Programs

We provide support for:

Pastoral Care Ministries

  • Ministry to the Sick & Homebound
    • Ministries of Bereavement & Consolation
  • Pastoral Care Leadership Certification Program

Mental Health Awareness & Wellbeing

  • Mental Health First Aid Training
  • Mental Health Wellbeing Ministries
  • Suicide Prevention & Postvention


Pastoral Enrichment for Parish Ministries

Chaplaincy Support

Ministry to the Sick & Homebound

Ministries of Bereavement & Consolation

Pastoral Care Leadership

Mental Health Awareness

Chaplaincy Support


Contact Us

Luis Nieves
Director of Pastoral Ministry
Laity, Family & Life
407-246-4882
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