What is a "commissioned lay minister?

[Phemie]

I suppose “LEM” means “Lay Eucharistic Minister”?

Not in pianistclare’s case. It means “Lay Ecclesial Minister”. She included a link to the USCCB website. In the link we read *" ‘Lay ecclesial minister’ is not itself a specific position title. It is not used in order to establish a new rank or order among the laity. It is the responsibility of the bishop, or his delegate, in accord with the norms of canon law, to identify the roles that most clearly exemplify lay ecclesial ministry. Application of the term may vary from diocese to diocese." *

 

[ProVobis]

Who cares about the semantics? Surely most people are grateful that these people volunteer for a very important role in the church

I would like to think we all have important roles in the church, regardless of title or no title.

 

[Vico]

I met a lady who said she was a commissioned lay minister. There seems to be a commissioning assembly at the cathedral by the Bishop, probably at a Mass. But, what is this all about?

Are there “non-commissioned” lay ministers?

See the USCCB webpage:
25. What happens when lay ecclesial ministers finish formation? What does authorization mean? Who is responsible for authorization? (See Co-Workers, pp. 54-60)
After formation, lay ecclesial ministers may be authorized by ecclesiastical authorities to carry out certain ministerial tasks in the name of the local church. Authorization is the process by which properly prepared lay men and women are given responsibilities for ecclesial ministry by competent Church authority. This process includes the following elements: acknowledgment of the competence of an individual for a specific ministerial role (often called “certification”); appointment of an individual to a specific position (in some dioceses called “commissioning”), along with a delineation of the obligations, responsibilities, and authority of that position; and finally an announcement of the appointment to the community that will be served by the lay ecclesial minister. The diocesan bishop is responsible for determining if and how any authorization should occur in his diocese, in keeping with canon law. He may grant to the one who has overall responsibility for pastoral care – for example, a pastor in parish ministry – the necessary authority to appoint someone as a lay ecclesial minister.

usccb.org/about/laity-marriage-family-life-and-youth/lay-ecclesial-ministry/lay-ecclesial-ministry-faqs.cfm

 

[dconklin]

My diocese has a Lay Ministry program - education.charlottediocese.org/adult-education/lay-ecclesial-ministry-formation. In our diocese this is a prerequisite for entering deaconate training.

 

[MissRose73]

My diocese has a Lay Ministry program - education.charlottediocese.org/adult-education/lay-ecclesial-ministry-formation. In our diocese this is a prerequisite for entering deaconate training.

I know of a man in my parish who went thru Lay Ministry program then later on has entered the permanent deacon program, and if he finishes it, he will be a permanent deacon as he is a married man.