Parish Secretary

Melbourne Catholic; Somerville, Hastings, Shoreham; On-site; AUD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Westernport Parish in Victoria seeks a friendly Parish Secretary to support daily administrative tasks for our parish communities (St Brendan's Somerville, Immaculate Conception Hastings, St Peter's Shoreham). You will be the first contact for parishioners and visitors, helping ensure the office runs smoothly and supporting pastoral and sacramental life.

Key duties include reception, records management, event coordination (baptisms, weddings, funerals), newsletter, website and social media

Qualifications

• Experience in administration or office coordination.
• Strong organisational skills with attention to detail.
• Experience with accounts payable/receivable and general financial administration.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Familiarity with PACEM or ability to learn quickly.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a service-focused approach.
• Ability to manage competing priorities with confidentiality and professionalism.
• Understanding of Catholic mission and values; knowledge of liturgy is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Welcome parishioners and visitors as first point of contact.
• Manage parish office administration: correspondence, filing, records, and office supplies.
• Coordinate parish calendars, bookings and events (baptisms, weddings, funerals).
• Prepare and distribute the weekly parish newsletter; maintain parish website and social content.
• Maintain parish records and databases, including sacramental registers and PACEM.
• Support administration of sacramental programs and parish ministries.
• Assist with accounts payable/receivable and financial administration with the Parish Bookkeeper.
• Provide general administrative support to the Parish Priest and attend meetings.

Skills

Administration

Organisation

Accounts Payable

Communication

Confidentiality

Tools

PACEM

Microsoft Office

Job description

Westernport Parish is seeking a welcoming and capable Parish Secretary to support the day-to-day administration of our vibrant Catholic parish community, comprising St Brendan's, Somerville, Immaculate Conception, Hastings, and St Peter's, Shoreham.

As the first point of contact for parishioners and visitors, you will play a key role in ensuring the parish office operates efficiently while providing administrative support for the pastoral, liturgical and sacramental life of the parish.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide a warm and professional reception for parishioners, visitors and community members.
• Manage parish office administration, including correspondence, filing, records and office supplies.
• Coordinate parish calendars, bookings and events, including baptisms, weddings, funerals and parish activities.
• Prepare and distribute the weekly parish newsletter and maintain parish website and social media content.
• Maintain parish records and databases, including sacramental registers and the PACEM system.
• Support the administration of sacramental programs and parish ministries.
• Assist with accounts payable and receivable, financial administration and stewardship programs in collaboration with the Parish Bookkeeper.
• Provide general administrative support to the Parish Priest and attend meetings as required.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Previous experience in administration, office coordination or a similar role.
• Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience with accounts payable/receivable and general financial administration.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Outlook).
• Experience using PACEM (or the ability to quickly learn new systems) is highly regarded.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a friendly, service-focused approach.
• Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
• An understanding of, and respect for, the mission and values of the Catholic Church. Knowledge of Catholic liturgy and sacraments will be highly regarded.

REQUIRED

• Valid Working with Children Check
• Current Police Check
• Valid Driver Licence

At the heart of who we are is not all the buildings but the person of Jesus Christ, who enters into our lives and who we then share with others.