Lay ministry formation program stirs wide-ranging interest from diocese's Spanish-speaking community

Friday, Jul. 24, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — The second discernment gathering for the EMAUS program in the Diocese of Salt Lake City attracted more than 50 members from different parishes and missions from all over Utah.

The diocese’s Spanish-language lay ecclesial ministry formation program, known as EMAUS, is a four-year intensive curriculum in four main areas: human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral.

“Little by little we have become like a family, because that is what we are all called for,” said Maria Cruz Gray, director of the diocesan Office of the Hispanic Ministry and leader of the EMAUS program.

The first group of Spanish-speaking lay ecclesial ministers in Utah was certified last year along with the second cadre of English-speaking LEMs; the diocese certified its first LEMs in 2010.

Gray said that since being certified, LEMs have participated in various parish ministries such as religious education and leading retreats; because they came from all over the state, not only from parishes but from missions such as Fillmore, Huntington and Heber, they have been very helpful to the diocese, said Gray.

“We are all citizens of Heaven and we are all welcome to EMAUS, with rights and responsibilities and needs,” Gray told those who attended the discernment session. 

Parishioners from St. Mary in West Heaven, St. Jude Mission in Ephraim, Saint Francis of Assisi in Orem, St. Thomas Aquinas in Logan, St. Joseph in Ogden, Saint Therese of the Child Jesus in Midvale, St. Mary of the Assumption in Park City, St. Lawrence Mission in Heber, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Peter and Paul, St. Rose of Lima in Layton, among others, showed their interest in participating in the new session for the EMAUS program, which is projected to start this fall, with a completion date of the summer of 2019.

“We will gather at least one weekend per month, from Saturday in the morning until Sunday afternoon,” said Gray.

The aspirants to EMAUS are people who are active in parish ministry in a variety of ways: as lectors, musicians, catechists, as members of the prison ministry or the Charismatic group.

“It’s for people who are committed to evangelize,” said Gray.

To be part of the formation program, the aspirants must pass an admission process that includes presenting letters of recommendation and an interview in which they have to express their desire to be part of the program.

“We are talking about forming leaders,” said Gray, “and this requires a formal process and a real commitment; people will be formed spiritually, intellectually, humanly, pastorally, and in other areas of our Catholic faith.”

Education in the faith must be ongoing, Gray said, adding that she appreciates the time and commitment that the attendees are willing to put in.

“You have been seduced by God to serve his Church,” she said.

The final discernment session for the EMAUS program will be Aug. 29. 

Applications also are being accepted for the next English-speaking Lay Ecclesial Ministry Formation Program. For information, visit http://www.dioslc.org/ministries/education or call Susan Northway, 801-328-8641 ext. 326.