Lay Ecclesial Ministers Are Honored

The Saturday following the deacon ordination, Jan. 30, we had a splendid ceremony honoring another 21 men and women who have been part of our Lay Ecclesial Ministry Formation Program. Most of the participants marked the completion of their studies while a few will wrap up a few courses toward the same goal. I am very proud of these lay ecclesial ministers who serve our diocese in a variety of ministries and apostolates. Some are educators, some serve in parish leadership, others visit prisoners and the sick while others prepare the faithful to receive the sacraments. Once again, I was impressed by the ability of our “graduates” to find the time to study, pray and reflect as they strove to be recognized as lay ministers.

Several years ago, the bishops of the United States completed an important document titled “Co-workers in the Vineyard of the Lord.” I was privileged to serve on the sub-committee that produced this work over a period of several years. During the preparation of the document, we interviewed quite a few theologians, professors, bishops, priests and lay leaders. It was evident to us from the beginning that we needed to have programs of formation and education that would train lay leaders to serve in our church. The Second Vatican Council promoted the importance of the laity and these programs of preparation would help to ensure that lay leaders would be qualified for service. 

We still have a long way to go in defining categories of lay ecclesial ministry, establishing minimum educational requirements for these ministers and agreeing on their job titles. Nonetheless, we have come a long way and so have our recently commissioned lay ministers.

Special thanks to Susan Northway, who heads the Department of Religious Education and served as the director of the lay ecclesial minister program. She did a great job, not just in administering the program but in being a living example of true ecclesial ministry.