Upcoming class will provide formation for all liturgical ministers in the Diocese of Salt Lake City

Friday, Oct. 18, 2024

SALT LAKE CITY — An upcoming formation class for all who serve in liturgical ministry in the local Church will be offered by the diocesan Office of Worship.  

The training is for all members of the parish liturgy committee, lectors, music ministers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, sacristans, masters of ceremony and ushers.

Those who serve in liturgical ministries are required “to receive formation in liturgy, theology, spirituality of the Eucharist, background regarding lay ministry in the liturgy, the documents of Vatican II, and current liturgy documents of the USCCB (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops) and diocese,” said Lorena Needham, director of the Office of Worship. “Formation is needed at least once every three years.”

The training will go “beyond what is needed to know about serving in a ministry locally, since each parish will have slightly different procedures,” she said.

Those who attend the training will receive certificates that will be recorded in the parishes, and the ministers are to be commissioned at a Sunday Mass by their pastors or administrators using the Book of Blessings.

The class will be offered on Nov. 9 in English and on Feb. 1 in Spanish.

The Office of Worship has the primary responsibility of providing ongoing professional development in liturgical ministry, Needham said.

“Many new people have been invited to serve in these ministries by their pastor,” Needham said, and most of them have only had local training in procedures and expectations, “so, parishes are anxious to get the training.”

The formation class is also part of the diocesan Pastoral Plan, supporting two of its goals: Vocations, and Eucharist and Catholic Identity. 

The class supports vocations because “as each person discerns their call to missionary discipleship, service in a liturgical ministry will strengthen one’s relationship with Christ,” Needham said.

The class also “promotes renewal of liturgical catechesis and inspires vibrant worship,” because “studying and growing in an understanding of liturgy and ministry helps us to ‘Go forth, the Mass is ended,’” – the words of dismissal at the end of Mass, she said.

All the baptized faithful are encouraged to attend the class, she said.

“Our full, conscious and active participation in Divine Worship is essential to our life and growth and preparation for eternal life. It fulfills our baptismal designation as priests, prophets and servants of the kingdom,” she said.

WHAT: Liturgy and Ministry Formation Class 

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Saint Rose of Lima Parish’s social center, 210 Chapel St., Layton  

COST: $5

In English. For all who serve liturgical ministry. Pre-registration required; text Stephanie Rikard 801-390-8345 or email stephibc@yahoo.com by Nov. 4. 

The training in Spanish will be conducted at Saint Rose of Lima Parish on Saturday, Feb. 1.