Pastoral Outreach

4000 Saint Joseph's Pl. NW
Albuquerque, NM
87120-1714

We coordinate the following ministries:

Detention Ministry

Substance Abuse Prevention

Thresholds

Veterans Ministry

We are a liaison to:

Men Under Construction

St. Vincent de Paul Society
 

Ministry to/with Deaf

A monthly newsletter contains places and times of Interpreted Masses in the archdiocese, activities and events relevant to the deaf community. Click here.

Annual Retreat:

An annual retreat, held in alternative places, directed by a qualified person competent in deaf sign language. Retreat information is published in the Deaf Catholic Newsletter.
 

Sign Language Interpreters:

When there is need for someone to interpret Mass, religious instruction or other activities in Sign Language for the deaf and hard of hearing, you may wish to contact the Pastoral Outreach Office at 505.831.8174.

Sunday Mass Schedule - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Albuquerque

7:30 am (interpreted for the deaf), 9:00 am, 10:45 am (Spanish, interpreted for the deaf in ASL) and 12:30 pm (interpreted for the deaf)

Detention Ministry with Inmates and their Families

Archbishop John C. Wester's Message to the Incarcerated 

Detention Ministry:

Provides and coordinates on-site ministry to men, women and youth within prisons, jails and youth facilities. Provides training to volunteers to assist with the pastoral visits, Biblical reflections, praying the rosary, catechism, and sacramental preparation within the detention facilities.

Pastoral Visiting:

Volunteers are trained for Detention Ministry by the chaplains and volunteer coordinators at detention facilities, and the Pastoral Outreach Ministries Office. Volunteers provide religious education, a caring visit, Bible study, or spiriitual counseling. Anyone interested in becoming involved in Detention Ministry may call the Pastoral Outreach Office at 505.831.8174.

Thresholds:

One of the major goals of those involved in Detention Ministry is to link inmates, who are leaving a detention facility, with a faith community for support and encouragement during their transition and thereafter. Parishes can provide a community of care during the very difficult time following release. Currently, this is primarily done through the Thresholds Ministry. Mentors meet with adults prior to their release, and then accompany them as they transition into society and faith communities.

Ministry with the Developmentally and Physically Disabled

Mission Statement:

Believing in the sanctity and dignity of the person and in the caring presence of God in the community, the Office of Pastoral Outreach Ministries, in cooperation with other archdiocesan offices, oversees, coordinates and enables ministry to/with persons living with disabilities.

Major Functions:

• Assess the spiritual needs of persons living with disabilities
• Serve as a communication link among persons with disabilities and those who minister to/with them
• Respond to requests for services, information, and networking on issues related to persons living with disabilities
• Act as a liaison, with archdiocesan offices, parishes, and agencies.

Annual Retreat:

Once a year a weekend retreat for the developmentally disabled is sponsored by the Office of Pastoral Outreach Ministries. Volunteers from the community assist the retreatants according to need. The retreat provides spiritual, social and interactive opportunities. Volunteers are always welcome and we are open to invitations to provide similar retreats in other parts of the archdiocese.

Catechesis for Persons With Disabilities:

A task force has been formed, in conjunction with the Archdiocesan Religious Education Office. The goal of the task force is to raise awareness and support catechists and families who provide religious education for persons with disabilities.

When possible and fruitful, persons with disabilities are to be integrated into religious education programs in the parish. The catechist may be assisted by an aide or an interpreter for the deaf in order to provide individual help to children with disabilities in the classroom. When this is not feasible, individual catechesis of persons with disabilities can be scheduled when the regular religious education programs are held. It is important to include children with disabilities into the worship and social activities of the religious education programs whenever possible.

National Catholic Office of Persons With Disabilities 

Other Ministries

BeFriender Ministry:
A Listening Presence is a national, ecumenical organization that provides leadership training and prayer support for a listening ministry of lay pastoral care in churches, healthcare institutions and long-term care facilities. 

Blessing of Age for Seniors:
Works to form a fresh perspective, one that sees older persons as active participants in contributing to the church’s life and mission and in meeting the spiritual needs of its members. Provides yearly retreats that encourage and facilitate the contributions of older people.
Blessing of Age 2020 Retreat

Substance Abuse Prevention:
Maintains the archbishop's task force on drug abuse.. Provides education referrals. Collaborates with other community groups and schools to advocate for the prevention and treatment of drug abuse.

Thresholds :
The Thresholds program is designed to assist inmates who are going to be released or are newly released from incarceration as they transition back into their families and communities.
Volunteer (mentors) from churches in the Catholic community work together on teams to work with ex-offenders through the Thresholds Adult Mentoring Program.

Veterans Ministry:
Veterans Task Force provides opportunities for veterans to collaborate together to identify veterans spiritual needs, benefits available, and offers retreats for veterans to promote healing, forgiveness, community and spiritual growth.

Emergency Social Services