Lay Ministers

Lay Ministry developed over the years since the Second Vatican Council in response to the ever-changing needs of the Church. This new vision of ministry recovers a more ancient sense of the baptismal priesthood of the faithful.  While we are all called to follow the example of Jesus' loving service, ministering to one another and the world in our daily lives, some assume more public and formal ministries that require training and formation.

In addition to the Lay Ecclesial Ministers who function as Pastoral Associates, Parish Life Coordinators, Youth Ministers and Directors of Religious Education, there are others who have responded to the movement of the Spirit in their lives by preparing for and being trained as certified Lay Ministers. These individuals have chosen to deepen their faith, to strengthen their gifts for ministry, and to offer generous service to their parishes.   Here in the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Called & Gifted Program has a long history of training parish volunteers and equipping them with the confidence and competence to better serve their parish in various ministries. Established in 1979, the program has grown from a one-year to a two-year program of learning and faith formation.  Weekly classes are offered at three sites within the metropolitan area and monthly formation days are presented on the campus of the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.  Over 1600 graduates of the program continue to minister within parishes all over the Archdiocese, including twograduates who minister at SFX:  Marge Branecki ('98) and Bob O'Malley ('02).

Participants in the Called & Gifted Program engage in serious study of scripture, church, and sacraments.  They deepen their spirituality and integrate their faith with daily life.  They learn to share faith and be more effective team members.  They become better listeners and more responsive to people's needs.  Lay Ministry candidates study together with the men and women of the Diaconate Formation program, giving members of both programs, who may later work together in parishes, a wonderful opportunity to meet and know each other, and to learn to respect each other's ministry.

The two-year study program includes courses in:

• Communication Skills For Ministry
• Church History/Ecclesiology
• Intro To Catechism & Catholic Doctrine
• Old Testament
• New Testament
• Sacramental Theology
• Christology
• Peace & Justice

Formation opportunities include:

• Exploring My Spirituality
• Growth Begins With Self Knowledge
• Making Moral Decisions (Yrs. I & Ii)
• Values & Gifts
• Ministerial Leadership Skills (Yrs. I & Ii)
• Leadership Of Prayer (Years I & Ii)
• Family: How It Works & Heals (Years I & Ii)
• Stewardship Of Life's Sacraments
• Tools For The Journey
• Theological Reflection
• My Place In The Parish
• Ministerial Identity

All participants in the Called & Gifted Program must be sponsored by a parish or Archdiocesan agency in order to have a supportive community within which to exercise their ministry after completing the program.  Upon graduation, participants serve their sponsoring parish or agency for a minimum of two years.  Marge and Bob have served the SFX community far beyond this minimum expectation.  Their ministries are each different, and have varied from year to year, but they have served in the various liturgical ministries, in the Ministry of Care, the Ministry of Praise, Scripture Study, Peace and Justice work, the SFX Spiritual Book Club, Interfaith Community Partners, SFX Adult Faith Formation, the Retired Men's Group, and Bereavement Ministry.

If you are interested in learning more about this vital, new dimension of ministry within the Church, please contact the rectory office at 708-352-0168.