Lay ecclesial ministry in many ways is a new phenomenon in the church. When we recall discussions before Vatican II, laity were described in relation to the hierarchy. They were viewed as helpers to ordained ministers. Catholic action became the term used by both Pius X and XI to describe the apostolate of the laity.

At the turn of the previous century, many beneficent societies were started to help in the work of the apostolate: St. Vincent de Paul Society, Knights of Columbus, Holy Name Society, Serra Clubs etc. These groups along with the Lay Congresses of 1951 and 1957 were aimed at improving the spiritual life of lay persons but lay persons were still described in relation to the hierarchy and in relation to helping the hierarchy complete their tasks. Vatican II shifted this understanding.

Vatican II began by describing the laity in relationship to their sacramental initiation into Christ via the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist; via their sharing in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly role of Jesus under the guidance of pastors; and via the temporal order which is properly the domain of the laity. Vatican II stressed that because they were part of this priestly, prophetic and kingly community , there was a call to holiness which was universally given to the entire Church. Vatican II called all in the Church to "read the signs of the times" and to bring hope and joy (Gaudium et Spes ) to the world.

Gradually, there evolved another change in the vocabulary. Instead of talking about the lay apostolate, theology began to talk about lay ministry. Lay ministry was described as being either ecclesial ministry or marketplace ministry. Many began to talk about ministry as doing anything that would help spread the gospel. A lack of clarity soon evolved with almost everything being considered ministry, if "I" felt called to do it and it helped other people.

Post-Vatican II reflection (especially in the writings of Pope John Paul II) identified essential differences between the ordained ministry and lay ministry. He re-emphasized a difference within unity ; a difference which underlines the fact that what the one does cannot be done by the other. This results in a diversity of service but a unity of purpose.

By the 1980's the American Bishops stated that the preferred term for lay ministry would be "Lay Ecclesial Ministry." This eventually enabled "lay ministry" to be seen in terms of: 1. a call from God which has been experienced by the lay person 2. to intentionally bring their gifts and competencies 3. which are to formed by the Church through training and education 4.to assume a formal or public role given by competent authority in the church and 5. which carries with it a commitment to perform duties in a stable manner. (cf Lay Ecclesial Ministry: the State of the Question, USCC, 1999)

It was the theology of Post Vatican II that guided lay ecclesial ministry formation efforts here in the diocese of Owensboro. In the 1983 at the request of Bishop McRaith a think tank was formed. Sr. Cheryl Clemons, OSU, a diocesan staff member, and Dr. Michelle Morek, OSU, the Academic Dean of Brescia College, were asked to direct the efforts. Proposals were made and in the Fall, 1985 the Ministry Formation Program was started at Brescia College with the sponsorship of the diocese of Owensboro. Fr. John Kramer, S.J. was the first director of the program. Fr. Tony Shonis was added to the faculty as coordinator for the spiritual direction component of the program.

In 1989 Sr. Maggie Cooper, SCN, and Rev. Richard Meredith were asked to co-direct the program. Associate of Arts Degree and Certificates in Ministry Formation were added to the Bachelor of Arts Degree granting capabilities of the program in 1991. The program was certified by the American Bishops' Committee on Accreditation and Certification in 1995. To date Brescia's Program for Ministry Formation remains the only undergraduate program to be certified by the American Bishops in the country. There are, however, several programs now seeking this certification.

As we remember this history, the challenges of the present continue to unfold. It is not enough to acknowledge the differences between ordained and lay ecclesial ministry, we must also acknowledge the reality of the decreasing number of ordained ministers. Subsequently, it has become increasingly more pressing to find ways to encourage vocations to the ordained ministry while at the same time empowering, the laity, not merely to exercising power over them It has become increasingly more pressing for the contemporary Church to find ways to develop competent and collaborative leadership among the ordained and the laity because leadership development takes time. It has also become increasingly pressing for the contemporary Church to respond to the increasing diversity in beliefs and practices as fewer and fewer Catholics are unable to articulate the Tradition accurately.

The contemporary church is faced with decreasing credibility among youth, young adults, and some ethic groups. Many Catholic institutions including schools and hospitals are now at risk. Traditional family values are being threatened. The need for ministry is everywhere. As Pope John Paul II named it, now is the time for a "New Evangelization." We need the whole Church to minister — ordained and lay alike.

With conversion as the goal, a recent consultation on ministry called for a compelling vision of ministry to be developed. It called for a vision of ministry which would be : faith-based, inclusive, collegial, outwardly directed, communal and empowering. (cf. "Covenant for Renewal" by National Center for Pastoral Leadership, 1996) The challenge to develop new understandings of ministry continues.

This brings me to the topic of the future. How will ordained and lay persons work together in the Church of the future? Is collaboration too simple of an answer for this complex problem? How will we develop competent and skilled leadership for the future? How do you train persons to assume these leadership positions when they are already so busy with other endeavors? What would it mean to think long range about training leadership for the future? Who is going to pay for all this training? Who would benefit?

I would like to announce to you the results of a new contract signed between Brescia University and the diocese of Owensboro. This is exciting information for the future of ministry and leadership development in the diocese. It is a long-range plan but it has immediate accessibility.

Brescia University and the diocese of Owensboro have signed a new contract to continue to provide for the development of lay ecclesial ministry in the contemporary Catholic Church. Brescia's Ministry Formation Program will continue to be offered as it has been for the last several years but we are re-designing our off-campus program.

As some of you know, the grant obtained by the diocese to provide off-campus courses for ministry formation ran out 2 years ago. Sr. Julia Head coordinated the program for the diocese while Brescia accredited and staffed the program with its full-time and adjunct faculties.

Beginning this semester we will offer a totally new format. All coordination and staffing of the program will take place through Brescia. The Coordinator of the Ministry Formation Program (that is Fr. Pat Ryan) will be the coordinator of the new program. He will select the faculty with the approval of the Academic Dean and arrange for the sites at which the programs will be offered.

The course offerings have been chosen after consultation by Brescia with the Office for Lay Formation, the Religious Education Office, the Catholic School Office and the Bishop. We will offer 5 courses on a rotating basis throughout the diocese. The courses are: Rls 110 the Catholic Faith: an Introduction to Theology; Rls 211 Basic Approaches to Catechetical Ministry, Rls 109 Introduction to Ministry; Rls 105 Introduction to the New Testament; and Rls 241 Catholic Liturgy.

The Rls 110 and Rls 211 courses were chosen because these continue to meet the certification requirements for Catholic School catechists and CCD catechists. The Rls 109, Rls 105 and Rls 241 were chosen to meet the recommendations from the Office of Lay Formation and the Bishop. The Bishop and the Office of Lay Formation were conscious of offering training for RCIA team members, liturgy committee members, parish Council members, finance committee members.

It was acknowledged that many persons teaching religion, functioning on RCIA teams and in CCD programs are not trained professionals and they do not want to become one. That does not mean, however, that they don't want to do a good job. In order to do a good job, competency and skill are necessary. We therefore need to develop our volunteers. Courses were therefore chosen to specifically address the needs that would arise in these ministries.

Any of these courses can be taken for credit or audit. That means that a person can earn academic credit by completing all the requirements of the course or they can register for the course for personal enrichment. Auditors do not take any tests and they are not given any assignments. Certification will be awarded to persons completing all 5 courses through the Religious Education Office and the Office for Lay Formation.

The financing of the program is very unique. The Diocese of Owensboro will be contributing a set amount each year towards faculty salaries. The remaining expenses of the program will be assumed by Brescia. Brescia has agreed to substantially reduce the tuition rates so that this program can present quality Catholic ministerial training for the greatest number of students at an affordable price. This means that the current tuition rate of $935.00 for a course will be reduced to $40 for Rls 110 and2l I and $75 for Rls 109, 105 and 241. There will be a one time registration fee of $25 for first-time Brescia students. For any student who chooses to audit a course, the tuition rate will be one half the above stated amounts.

Registration for these courses will be handled through the Office of Admissions for Brescia University , not through the diocese as it was done in the past. A brochure with all this information will be passed out to you now. Please note that in this brochure you will see a list of courses to be offered for the Spring of 200 1. This is a very short list. We did not have time to establish many sites before this program was announced to you. A fuller list will be available in the Fall, 2001. It is the desire of Brescia and the diocese that we will offer at least three of these off-site courses each semester. We will also make available these same courses whenever they are presented on the Brescia campus.

What we ask of you now is to help us get this word out. You will also find attached to the brochures a paper which asks for names of persons who you feel could benefit from these courses. I do not know the people in your parishes. I need your help to identify who you think would be likely candidates for such a program. Please contact you DRE/CRE, your RCIA team coordinator, your parish lists and see who you think would be good candidate for these courses. Remember, we want to develop leadership for the future, not merely for today.

Once I have received their names, I will be sending them a letter advertising the program and inviting them to attend an information night which will describe the program in detail. We hope to have these information nights throughout the diocese so that people will not have to travel so far.

If persons do decide to enroll in these course(s), we would like to recommend that parishes consider assisting their students by either paying for the books or the transportation costs. This formula will let the students know that they have to invest a sum of money in the course and the parish will also invest in their education. We believe that if we continue to offer these courses over a period of time we will significantly impact the competency and skills of lay ecclesial ministry.

As the theme of the conference stated, the Church is ever the same and yet always changing. We always have had a need to train leadership and yet how we have done that has changed often. We look forward to ministering with you to the Church in Western Kentucky.

Continuing Education for Clergy, Diocese of Owensboro

© 2001, by the authors, all rights reserved.