Chaplain

Overview

The Village at Mercy Creek, a part of Franciscan Ministries, is a vibrant senior living community in Normal, IL. We offer Assisted Living and a Memory Care Unit. We are looking for a Part-Time Chaplain, 20 hours per week to join our growing team!

Position Summary

The Chaplain provides compassionate spiritual care and emotional support to residents, families, and associates within the senior living community. This role nurtures a culture of dignity, meaning, and connection by addressing the diverse spiritual and religious needs of individuals, regardless of faith tradition. The Chaplain plays a key role in enhancing quality of life, especially during times of transition, illness, grief, and end-of-life care.

Essential Functions, Key Duties, & Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one spiritual counseling, prayer, and emotional support to residents, families, and staff.
• Conduct spiritual assessments and develop individualized care plans as appropriate.
• Offer presence and support during times of illness, crisis, or end-of-life.
• Alongside the Director of Mission Integration & Pastoral Care, assist with planning, coordinating, and leading regular religious services, memorial services, and seasonal observances as needed.
• Maintain a visible and approachable presence throughout the community.
• Build meaningful relationships with residents to support their spiritual well-being.
• Support new resident transitions and provide comfort during relocation or adjustment periods.
• Provide grief counseling and bereavement support to residents, families, and associates.
• Lead or coordinate grief support groups and remembrance services.
• Assist with end-of-life planning and rituals in collaboration with families and care teams.
• Work closely with nursing, social services, life enrichment, and hospice partners to ensure holistic care.
• Participate in care conferences and interdisciplinary team meetings as appropriate.
• Advocate for residents’ spiritual needs within care planning.
• Develop partnerships with local faith communities and organizations.
• Facilitate opportunities for residents to remain connected to their faith traditions.
• Assist in implementation of all Living Joyfully initiatives at the community.
• Ensure implementation of a Mission orientation program and ongoing education programs to ensure all individuals are educated on the Mission and Values of FM, as well as work collaboratively with other functional areas in the identification of ways to foster the mission through strategies and initiatives with mission-focused programs for associates and residents.
• Facilitate with Spiritual Life/Worship Committee to provide appropriate religious services for the population served.
• Coordinate funeral and bereavement ministry.
• Facilitate opportunities for growth and spiritual enrichment including but not limited to; Bible studies, caregiver and grief support, ecumenical dialogue, theological discussion groups, lectures in world religions, comparative religion, religious philosophy, programs on the spirituality of aging, seminars using guided imagery, meditation and music for stress relief and relaxation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and procedures and any updates.

Position Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in theology, divinity, pastoral care, religious studies, mission leadership, or related field required; Master’s degree and/or certification by pastoral agency preferred.

Licenses/Certifications: 1 Unit of CPE preferred.

Experience: 3+ years of experience as a pastoral minister/chaplain as well as knowledge of and support for the Ethical and Religious Directive for Catholic Healthcare Services.

Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

#LivingJoyfully

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