Considering diocesean Lay Ministry program

[twk001]

Hi all- anyone here been through Lay Ministry training? Our diocese has a program that requires one weekend a month for 4 years. For ME, that’s a pretty big commitment for me right now, so I’m thinking about making application in two yrs or so. We have a 4 yr old at home and don’t really see her much during the week (Mom and Dad watch her while we work) so I want to be sure this is right for me. I’m not exactly sure what a Lay Minister really does. Any insight? I’m a nurse by degree and hope to eventually leave nursing all together to work in ministry. If anyone can suggest a good book or reading about lay ministry, I’d appreciate it! twk

 

[Joannm]

Start with the USCCB document Coworkers in the Vineyard

usccb.org/laity/laymin/co-workers.pdf

Also the USCCB site on laity and family has some information. Each diocese is different but ours usually requres an MA in theology or religious education for people who work in full time ministry. Those in our Lay Formation Program usually work in volunteer capacity or use it as a stepping stone for MA work.

 

[Spirithound]

Hi all- anyone here been through Lay Ministry training? Our diocese has a program that requires one weekend a month for 4 years. For ME, that’s a pretty big commitment for me right now, so I’m thinking about making application in two yrs or so. I’m not exactly sure what a Lay Minister really does. Any insight? I’m a nurse by degree and hope to eventually leave nursing all together to work in ministry.

Lay ministry is, really by definition, any church activity that is not carried out by a priest or deacon…so…huge range here. I’ve done youth ministry training, that was fun. Explore your diocese website in more detail, it’ll probably tell you something more about what a lay minister does. Check out your parish website or talk to your priest, or parish secretary to find out what’s available through your church.
Have fun and God bless!

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

What is it you’d like to do? And how will this training help you to achieve that? I think if there are things you’re doing now and being held back because you don’t have a certificate or degree, then you should pursue it. But I can’t imagine signing up for a four-year program without having a goal in mind.

 

[puzzleannie]

for another thing, in most dioceses you must be recommended for the progam by your pastor. this means you should be considering a ministry for which this training program is a pre-req. You should also be in a position to make this training your top priority after your spiritual life, family and job. It is unfortunately all too true that when putting forth a big commitment to lay ministry one is apt to let the spiritual life be the first thing to drop.

 

[THurifer2]

I am completing the Lay ministry program fo rmy diocese. I has been the biggest waste of two years in my life…In my diocese the content is agenda driven and abosolutely horrible. It is a requirement for the acceptance into the diaconate program in our diocese. (which is absolutely ridiculous)

What have I learned?

1)People will never stop griping about women priests
2)Richard Mcbrien and Hans Kung are worshipped by some
3)People spend alot of time complaining about priestly celebacy.
4)Program leaders are angry about Humanae Vitae
5) That bible is mostly a fictional work
6) Confession should no longer be a sacrament
7) Homosexuality is not really a sin
8) Divorce and remarriage is none the the churchs’ business

and on and on and on and on…In more Orthodox/Conservative dioceses you will not find Lay ministry formation programs.

I am required to take the class for the diaconate.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I am completing the Lay ministry program fo rmy diocese. I has been the biggest waste of two years in my life…In my diocese the content is agenda driven and abosolutely horrible. It is a requirement for the acceptance into the diaconate program in our diocese. (which is absolutely ridiculous)

What have I learned?

1)People will never stop griping about women priests
2)Richard Mcbrien and Hans Kung are worshipped by some
3)People spend alot of time complaining about priestly celebacy.
4)Program leaders are angry about Humanae Vitae
5) That bible is mostly a fictional work
6) Confession should no longer be a sacrament
7) Homosexuality is not really a sin
8) Divorce and remarriage is none the the churchs’ business

and on and on and on and on…In more Orthodox/Conservative dioceses you will not find Lay ministry formation programs.

I am required to take the class for the diaconate.

Considering that both are run by the diocese, will the diaconate program be more of the same?

 

[augieboo]

Considering that both are run by the diocese, will the diaconate program be more of the same?

Most likely, YES.

Several years ago, I went through adult confirmation in such a diocese. It was taught by a newly ordained deacon. Among other gems we were taught that:

– when Jesus met the disciples on the road to Emmaus, the disciples were in an "altered state of consciousness;

– Christ’s resurrection is just figurative; when we say that Christ rose from the dead it really just means that the disciples figured out that his message was so neato they needed to continue passing it on to others; the church was invented to facilitate this;

– etc.

– ad nauseum.

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

 

[ASimpleSinner]

Considering that both are run by the diocese, will the diaconate program be more of the same?

I am willing to be that the answer would be a resounding “yes”.

That said, sometimes vocations just have to smile and nod and enthusiastically say “How interesting!”

Sometimes you just have to keep your mouth shut and offer it up!

 

[Stillkickin]

Considering that both are run by the diocese, will the diaconate program be more of the same?

Yes, I am in the application process for the diaconate. In our diocese, if accepted, there will be classes twice a month for 4 1/2 years (during the school year - summers off). Also my wife is required to go through the calsses with me.

Stillkickin

 

[Joannm]

Yes, I am in the application process for the diaconate. In our diocese, if accepted, there will be classes twice a month for 4 1/2 years (during the school year - summers off). Also my wife is required to go through the calsses with me.

Stillkickin

I question the requirement that the wife be required to attend all the classes. I have no problem with the wife wanting to attend but the requirement thing can be problematic, especially if there are young children. Will the formation program provide child care or must the parents seek it out? Also, what if the wife isn’t particularly interested in studying? What might forcing her to sit in on classes that do not particularly interest her serve? What if she too works full time and the weekend is the only time she has to take care of household things (in our diocese all diaconate courses are on Saturdays)? Does she get some sort of certification at the end?

Our diocese has certain days of recollection and retreats that the candidates wives are required to attend, but other than that there are no specific requirements of the wife…she is not the one being ordained.

 

[Conservative]

I am completing the Lay ministry program fo rmy diocese. I has been the biggest waste of two years in my life…In my diocese the content is agenda driven and abosolutely horrible. It is a requirement for the acceptance into the diaconate program in our diocese. (which is absolutely ridiculous)

What have I learned?

1)People will never stop griping about women priests
2)Richard Mcbrien and Hans Kung are worshipped by some
3)People spend alot of time complaining about priestly celebacy.
4)Program leaders are angry about Humanae Vitae
5) That bible is mostly a fictional work
6) Confession should no longer be a sacrament
7) Homosexuality is not really a sin
8) Divorce and remarriage is none the the churchs’ business

and on and on and on and on…In more Orthodox/Conservative dioceses you will not find Lay ministry formation programs.

I am required to take the class for the diaconate.

I’m not well-educated on diaconate programs, etc. But based on the above, I’m going to say there’s a royal “ouch” - and worried about those who may not feel the same.

Further, based on additional comments following OP, one has to wonder if the instructors are also pushing reincarnation. They apparently are sounding like they were there physically - and know more than what the Bible tells us straightforwardly.

I’m no theologian but it sounds like some of the ideas being fostered out there by Catholic institutions are not only anti-Catholic - but I’d bet even Protestants would jump out of their skins at the insinuations about the Resurrection or Road to Emmaus being redefined.

I’m curious - During these courses, did anyone challenge these instructors - or just listen?

 

[Stillkickin]

I question the requirement that the wife be required to attend all the classes. I have no problem with the wife wanting to attend but the requirement thing can be problematic, especially if there are young children. Will the formation program provide child care or must the parents seek it out? Also, what if the wife isn’t particularly interested in studying? What might forcing her to sit in on classes that do not particularly interest her serve? What if she too works full time and the weekend is the only time she has to take care of household things (in our diocese all diaconate courses are on Saturdays)? Does she get some sort of certification at the end?

Our diocese has certain days of recollection and retreats that the candidates wives are required to attend, but other than that there are no specific requirements of the wife…she is not the one being ordained.

I think you are missing the whole point of the matter. When one becomes a deacon it affects not only the man but also his spouse. When they go through the process together it will undoubtedly strengthen their faith but also their bond together, this is not and cannot be done in a vaccuum - this must be talked about with the spouse. It is done with the prayerful deliberation by both as we will both enter into this life. It must be done with the full support of both parties, it is a life long committment that affects us both. It is not “forcing” her to do anything. It is not something to take lightly. Because it is Holy Orders, if my wife dies, I can never remarry. If either of us has reservations or problems with it, it should not be undertaken. If it is meant to happen, any obstacles will be overcome - this is not like going down to the junior college and taking a few adult education classes, it is preparing for a vocation. Granted, it is voluntary with your family a carrer taking precedence, but it is still a vocation that in order to be a part of it, my wife must understand all of it, not just bits and pieces. BTW she is as excited about this as I am. After we had come to this decision we then went to our children and asked them (ages 20, 18, 14) to make sure they did not have any reservations. Do you know what my middle duaghter said “Dad, our family is so Catholic, that I would have been suprised if you hand’t done something like this.” All three gave thier whole hearted support of this. I have been thinking about becoming a deacon for the past 7 - 8 years. The reason I didn’t before this is because I didn’t want to take anything away from the family. 15 or 20 years ago the time wouldn’t have been right, but now it is. Timing is very important in a choice like this.
I try not to “question requirements” or have “problems” with decisions the Catholic Church makes because as a Catholic I am called to obedience to the Church, so unless the Church asks me to do something illegal or immoral (which it won’t) I do it without a fuss.

Stillkickin

 

[Joannm]

I think you are missing the whole point of the matter. When one becomes a deacon it affects not only the man but also his spouse. When they go through the process together it will undoubtedly strengthen their faith but also their bond together, this is not and cannot be done in a vaccuum - this must be talked about with the spouse. It is done with the prayerful deliberation by both as we will both enter into this life. It must be done with the full support of both parties, it is a life long committment that affects us both. It is not “forcing” her to do anything. It is not something to take lightly. Because it is Holy Orders, if my wife dies, I can never remarry. If either of us has reservations or problems with it, it should not be undertaken. If it is meant to happen, any obstacles will be overcome - this is not like going down to the junior college and taking a few adult education classes, it is preparing for a vocation. Granted, it is voluntary with your family a carrer taking precedence, but it is still a vocation that in order to be a part of it, my wife must understand all of it, not just bits and pieces. BTW she is as excited about this as I am. After we had come to this decision we then went to our children and asked them (ages 20, 18, 14) to make sure they did not have any reservations. Do you know what my middle duaghter said “Dad, our family is so Catholic, that I would have been suprised if you hand’t done something like this.” All three gave thier whole hearted support of this. I have been thinking about becoming a deacon for the past 7 - 8 years. The reason I didn’t before this is because I didn’t want to take anything away from the family. 15 or 20 years ago the time wouldn’t have been right, but now it is. Timing is very important in a choice like this.
I try not to “question requirements” or have “problems” with decisions the Catholic Church makes because as a Catholic I am called to obedience to the Church, so unless the Church asks me to do something illegal or immoral (which it won’t) I do it without a fuss.

Stillkickin

The requirement for a wife to go through formation with her husband is a diocesan thing, not a Church requirement. In our diocese wives are not required. The course work is graduate level and most of the wives opt out of taking the classes. I would guess out of the 80 men in formation for our diocese only about 4 wives are taking classes with their husbands. This does not seem to affect their relationship.

 

[Lepanto]

The term “Lay Ministry” is an oxymoron. Perhaps “Lay Apostolate” would be more accurate.

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/laity/documents/rc_con_interdic_doc_15081997_en.html

 

[quiesco]

I was thinking about signing up for the Lay Ministry program in my diocese. It’s starts this Fall, and it is 2 Saturdays a month for 2 years.

I am taking it at the moment just for my own knowledge and self enrichment. I am hoping it is a good program… and who knows where it will lead

 

[Conservative]

I’d be interested if anyone knows of various lay ministries (aside from the Deaconate-type). A friend of mine has decided on this, has been trying to find his direction but due to above-40 age, is finding it more difficult to enter a monastery, which was his first choice.

I’ve researched considerably on the net but sometimes there’s an avenue we accidentally miss. Any thoughts? Suggestions? - Would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dicerning]

. The reason I didn’t before this is because I didn’t want to take anything away from the family. 15 or 20 years ago the time wouldn’t have been right, but now it is. Timing is very important in a choice like this.

Stillkickin

There are thousands of deacons with small children. I am approaching aspirancy and have very young children. I guess it depends on the situations. Our family life here revolves entirely around our parish. We spend an enormous amount of time up at the church. Our social life and our childrens social life is significantly associated with the church. My diocese has many deacons…very very few of them are under 50 years old.

Our church is in SERIOUS need of GEN X permanent deacons. I feel that it is essential to have younger clergy around.

By the way I can see your statement above being as a good argument for priests to remain celibate.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I’d be interested if anyone knows of various lay ministries (aside from the Deaconate-type). A friend of mine has decided on this, has been trying to find his direction but due to above-40 age, is finding it more difficult to enter a monastery, which was his first choice.

I’ve researched considerably on the net but sometimes there’s an avenue we accidentally miss. Any thoughts? Suggestions? - Would be greatly appreciated.

When I retired 15 years ago I was somewhat involved in taking the Eucharist to the sick and homebound and supporting RCIA. Once I had the time these expanded rapidly and took all I could give.

After some surgeries a couple of years ago I had to regretfully cut back and pass the work to others. j

I once estimated that our parish needs some 500-600 volunteers to make it run - teaching the children, caring for the poor, etc.

 

[augieboo]

due to above-40 age, is finding it more difficult to enter a monastery, which was his first choice.

Any thoughts? Suggestions? - Would be greatly appreciated.

How about a religious order of (mostly) priests and brothers with a monastic component. Please see vocationist.org/ and look at the stuff about the “Vocationary”.

HTH,

augieboo