The Call To Ministry:
From the reception of these charisms or gifts, including those which are less dramatic, there arise for each believer the right and duty to use them in the Church and the world for the good of humankind and for the upbuilding of the Church (Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, 3).
Baptism and confirmation empower all believers to share in some form of ministry. Although the specific form of participation in ministry varies according to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, all who share in this work are united with one another. “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all the members have the same function, so too we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. We have gifts that differ according to the favor bestowed on each of us” (Rom 12:4–6).
This unity in the ministry should be especially evident in the relationship between laity and clergy as lay men and women respond to the call of the Spirit in their lives. The clergy help to call forth, identify, coordinate, and affirm the diverse gifts bestowed by the Spirit. We applaud this solidarity between laity and clergy as their most effective ministry and witness to the world.
– Called and Gifted: U.S. Bishops’ Committee on the Laity
Ministry Opportunity Program:
Periodically, a time is set aside to pause and reflect on the needs of our parish family and how each of us can share our gifts and talents to meet those needs. The process is called Ministry Opportunities, and the purpose is for all parish members to take an active role in ownership of our churches. It could be taking part in something that is already established or being creative and filling a need that is not currently being addressed. As with any family, there is much to be done, and everyone has a role to play! If, at any time, you would like to volunteer for a particular ministry, please call the CENTRAL OFFICE and you will be put in contact with the lead person for that ministry.
Ministries and Committees:
There is one Lead Ministry Coordinator (LMC) for each of our four churches, who gives organizational and administrative support to his/her local church ministry coordinators. These four LMCs work together to:
- assess the changing needs of their local church
- help in developing appropriate ministries
- increase the effectiveness of current parish ministries
- increase the level of participation of parishioners in parish ministries
