Diocese to have first certified Spanish-speaking lay ecclesial ministers

Friday, Jun. 27, 2014

SALT LAKE CITY – The Spanish-language lay ecclesial ministry formation program in the Diocese of Salt Lake City, known as the Emaus program, is approaching its graduation date.

After four years of intense studies and practice in four main areas: human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral, the Emaus participants will see their efforts culminate on Aug. 9 at the Celebration of Certified Ministers with a Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. 

Participants in the English-language lay ecclesial ministry formation program, who have undergone similar training, also will receive their certificates during the Mass.

The 63 Emaus participants come from all over the state, not only from parishes but from missions such as Fillmore, Beaver, Elberta, Huntington, Delta, Ephraim and Heber. Most of them are originally from Mexico but there are also some from Colombia, Peru, Panama and Guatemala. This is the first group that will graduate from the program in Utah; the first group of English-speaking lay ecclesial ministers was certified four years ago.

The Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, visited the group June 22 as they were in their last weekend of educational formation.

“Thank you for your work,” said the bishop as all the Emaus participants broke in applause. “Your work is very important for and in our diocese, especially in this diocese, where we don’t have enough priests. It is very important to have lay leaders.”

Bishop Wester continued, saying that the Emaus program is a vital part of the diocese.

“Thank you, Bishop, for showing us the face of Christ in your person,” responded one of the Emaus participants.

The Emaus program gives ministers the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills to be effective ministers said Maria Cruz Gray, director of the Hispanic Ministry office.

Based in part on the formational pillars from the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops’ document Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord, the training is intended to help the lay ministers grow in the dimensions of human, intellectual, spiritual and pastoral ministry. 

The program, directed by the diocesan Hispanic Ministry office in collaboration with the Congar Institute, offers an opportunity for comprehensive formation that includes courses, workshops, seminars, retreats, review sessions and spiritual direction for all the participants.

The Congar Institute is a Texas-based ministry of the Southern Dominican Province that helps dioceses form lay ecclesial ministers. It also has worked in the Diocese of Salt Lake City in forming the current English-language LEM class as well as the inaugural class, which was certified in 2010.

At the end of the four-year program, the LEM candidates in both the English and Spanish programs are prepared to serve in their local ministry, but they also will require ongoing faith formation.