ARTICLES

Ministry formation is a call to serve

By Deacon Rick Miech
Special to The Catholic Virginian

In February, when I came to Richmond, I said I wanted to have as many conversations as I could about ministry needs around the diocese.

While I haven’t made it to every possible venue, I’ve had some quality time with many groups in all three vicariates. The new diocesan ministry formation program is taking shape and I thought it might be appropriate to provide information and an update of what’s happened and will be happening with the Pastoral Ministry Leadership Formation (PMLF) program.

The local conversations I’ve had, along with national documents such as “Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord” (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops) and the National Certification Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers (jointly developed by national Catholic organizations) provide guidance as to the content and processes which should be included in formation programs.

Additionally, since we’re following what leaders in ministry formation consider best practices, some aspirants and candidates for the diaconate will receive part of their formation together with those formed for leadership in lay ministry.

This means we’re also being guided by the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States, a document developed by the USCCB.

Accreditation considered

There’s more! We’ve had a preliminary conversation with the Commission on Certification and Accreditation of the USCCB and are in the process of discerning if their process of accreditation will add value to our program.

Earlier this month I participated in the National Symposium on Lay Ecclesial Ministry at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. This gathering, years in the planning, was attended by bishops, theologians, directors of schools of theology and ministry formation, directors of diocesan formation programs, pastoral ministers, and representatives from twenty-six national lay ministry organizations.

Nine recommendations were the result of the four-day seminar, and each participant was asked to make an immediate commitment to at least one action. I have asked Bishop DiLorenzo to consider the creation of a Lay Ecclesial Ministry Council, modeled on the Presbyteral and Diaconal Councils, to be the voice for lay ecclesial ministers across the diocese. The bishop has agreed, so look for more on this in the future.

The point of all this is to highlight the significance of forming suitable, competent ministers for the future church.

While we are all called to be disciples, some among us are called to specific service — some as priests and religious, some as deacons, and some as lay ecclesial ministers.

It remains important to us as Church to work to provide more priests to serve God’s people. It is also important to remind ourselves that the call to diaconate and to lay ecclesial ministry is also a call, a vocation. The Church recognizes this and makes provision for the discernment, formation, and activation of all those ministries.

Here in Richmond, this is translated into the design of the formation program, including academic formation, spiritual direction, theological reflection, and growth in community, firmly rooted in prayer and the sacramental life of the Church.

Academic formation

Academic formation is based heavily on contemporary adult-learning theory and application and grounded in the documents of the Church (national and universal), and the work of recognized theologians and other writers in specific fields of study.

The goal is to provide ministers who are well-rounded and able to explain the faith. This is hopefully accomplished through the core courses required of all who enter the program seeking certification. Beyond the core, each participant is asked to choose an area of focus (Liturgy, Pastoral Ministry, Catechetics, Youth Ministry, or Business) to develop a specialized knowledge and ministry experience.

We’ve just completed a round of orientation meetings across the diocese for the start of courses Sept. 8, which began the formation year. Participants have been approved and now begin their formal journey of formation together this fall.

At the same time, we want to begin conversations with those who will enter the process next year.

We’ve been blessed with a generous response from priests, deacons, and lay ministers from within the diocese who will serve as teacher-facilitators for the courses. This allows us to utilize the resources of the diocese in the formation process. We also have the flexibility to invite experts from outside the diocese for days or evenings of reflection or special ongoing formation events.

As I’ve said often, I value the collaboration and cooperation with other diocesan offices.

Diocesan offices

Several other diocesan-wide efforts have a direct connection with the formation process, namely the pending roll-out of the Diocesan Compensation and Classification System, which will standardize job titles, descriptions, responsibilities, and qualifications as well as salary ranges; and the Pastoral Planning Process, which asks neighboring parishes to join in a process of discerning regional needs in the face of the thinning number of priests.

We are at a dynamic time in the history of the Church. We have the responsibility to plan for the future and to do everything within our ability to provide for the church now and to come.

Pray that the Lord of the Harvest will continue to send workers and co-workers into the field. More than that, reach out, touch and encourage someone you know, to consider whether or not they are called to step up to a life of service, of ministry in the church as a priest, deacon, or lay ecclesial minister.

Information on the Pastoral Ministry Leadership Formation (PMLF) program can be found at: www.richmonddiocese.org/pmlf

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