Formation program trains lay ministers to serve

Intermountain Catholic

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Thomas Cummings, director of STEP, the on-line theological education program the Lay Ecclesial Ministry Formation Program will use, gives a lecture on the history of salvation.IC photo by Chris Young

SALT LAKE CITY — "The needs of the church are many," said Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, diocesan administrator, as he welcomed those selected to participate in the Lay Ecclesial Ministry Formation Program at the Skaggs Catholic Center Aug. 19.

There are 37 applicants enrolled in the Lay Ecclesial Ministry Formation Program. The diverse group of participants come from various parishes throughout the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Some are working on certification as Catholic chaplains, pastoral associates, and spiritual direction. There are also directors of religious education, RCIA leaders, Catholic health care ministers, a Catholic school principal, those interested in prison ministry, adult education, and those working in other outreach ministries.

"It is very important for the lay ecclesial ministers to work in cooperation with the ordained," said Susan Northway, director of the Office of Religious Education. "The hope for this program is the pastoral ministry work needing to be done in the diocese will now have trained lay people who can step into leadership roles and assist in our parishes and other institutions. Some lay people are already filling those roles."

Northway said the Lay Ecclesial Ministry Formation Program was developed in response to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) "Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord: A Resource for Guiding the Development of Lay Ecclesial Ministry." It was approved by the USCCB at their semi-annual meeting in Washington, D.C., in November 2005. This resource guide addresses issues that have been on the USCCB’s agenda since 1980. At that time, in "Called and Gifted," the bishops welcomed the gift of lay persons who have prepared for professional ministry in the Church.

In 1995, a subcommittee of the Committee on Laity focused its attention on the theology of lay ecclesial ministers, the preparation and formation of lay ecclesial ministers, and their identity and relationship within the Church. It is that subcommittee which prepared "Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord." Such lay people serve as pastoral associates, directors of religious education, youth ministers, school principals, in liturgy and music, and numerous other roles.

Northway began reading Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord, and brought a proposal to Msgr. Fitzgerald regarding how to implement this document into our diocese.

"Under the guidance and support of Msgr. Fitzgerald we formed a task force and met several times to really study the document and make recommendations," said Northway. "The task force had representatives from different areas including: Holy Cross Sister Catherine Kamphaus, Catholic schools superintendent; Dr. Gabriel Colosimo, principal of Juan Diego Catholic High School; Certified Catholic Chaplain Kathleen Fallon from CHRISTUS St. Joseph Villa; directors of religious education; and other advisors.

The task force then began working with the mission statement: "To help lay men and women deepen their faith knowledge so they may competently prepare and answer their baptismal call to spread the gospel." From there the task force researched programs from other Archdioceses and dioceses all over the country to see how they had set up their Lay Ecclesial Ministry Formation Programs. The task force realized they had a particular challenge in Utah because there is not a Catholic college or university in the area.

The three-year Lay Ecclesial Ministry Formation Program will use STEP, an on-line theological education study course through the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. The on-line theological course allows those in the rural areas of Utah the same opportunity as those in Salt Lake City, and at the same time reduces expenses.

The task force introduced the program to parish pastors in May telling them of the four areas of formation which are theological, spiritual, human, and pastoral dimensions. Applicants had to be 21 or older, have their pastors’ approval, and they must be committed. There were many more applications received than could be honored.

Thomas Cummings, director of STEP, gave the first lecture for the program Aug. 19, to get the group started. Thomas gave a lecture on the history of salvation and basic theological concepts.

"Knowing salvation history will effect your daily life and how you understand your world," said Cummings. "You will discover that what we believe creation to be will connect to salvation."

In the March 9, 2006, issue of "Origins," a Catholic News Service publication, H. Richard McCord, director of the U.S. Bishops’ Secretariat for Family, Laity, Women, and Youth, discussed lay ecclesial ministers. McCord said four characteristics of lay ecclesial ministers identified in the bishops’ document include authorization by the hierarchy, the exercise of leadership in a particular ministry area, close collaboration with the pastoral ministry of the ordained, and the necessary preparation and formation.

McCord said lay ecclesial ministers are the new kids on the block when it comes to church ministry, and it is critically important that there be some ordering or organizing of relationships between the newcomers and those who are already in place. Without proper formation, lay ecclesial ministers may not always be taken seriously.

"Every time I gather here it is a reminder to me of the tremendous growth of our faith in Utah," said Msgr. Fitzgerald. "We have the Santa Ana Mission in Tremonton in need of $250,000 to build classrooms, and we are trying to find benefactors. These are physical signs of tremendous growth, and they are wonderful times. Other places throughout the country are closing churches and combining parishes. We are expanding."