The Art of Accompaniment Book | Page 94

84 The Art of Accompaniment and challenges of service. Because many staff members participate in the formation and welcome of new employees in this way, the practice of ac- companiment can help foster collaboration and a unified vision among the parish staff. Mentors can provide a space of integration for new staff members. Within the accompanying relationship, those accompanied can receive mentorship in their new role, reflect on their experiences, and consider how God is continuing to work within their career or leadership position. Men- tors can also be an invaluable means of support for those who are new to parish ministry; with the added support of the accompanying relationship, new parish leaders may be encouraged to continue their ministry even when challenges or difficulties arise. Accompaniment among volunteer leadership or staff must be feasible and practical for the parish desiring to implement it. While some parishes with many hired staff members may find it easy to implement it, other par- ishes with fewer resources may have to find less obvious ways to promote accompaniment. To this end, parishes with more resources should consider aiding parishes in need. For example, seasoned staff members or ministry leaders from some parishes can still provide valuable means of accompani- ment to those in other parish communities. Pastors, pastoral associates, and deaneries can collaborate with one another to strengthen parishes with less resources, staff, or volunteers. Accompaniment can also help to promote sustainability in parish leadership and ministry. By identifying and accompanying future leaders of ministry within their community, current leaders and staff members strengthen their parishes. Accompaniment can also serve particular ethnic and cultural communities within a parish. By raising up new leaders from Hispanic, Latino, Asian, Filipino, African American, and other cultural communities, parish leadership promote vibrancy and honor the diversity of the Church. Because they know intimately the needs, practices, and ex- periences of their cultural groups, these leaders are best suited to guide the next generation of leadership from their respective communities.