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Pastoral Ministry Office Catholic Diocese of Cleveland |
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Certification
Process |
Ministry Certification
The Process for the Certification of laity for ministerial leadership in parish, diocesan and other Catholic ministerial settings has been in place in the Diocese of Cleveland since 1980. The process has been identified by several different names, but it has consistently maintained that the formation of the laity for ministerial leadership requires a comprehensive program of formation that consists of the human, spiritual, academic and pastoral dimensions of ministry. In November 2005 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops approved and published Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord: A Resource for Guiding the Development of Lay Ecclesial Ministry which acknowledges and affirms the place of lay ecclesial ministers in the life of the Church in the United States. This document also provides greater clarity to the roles fulfilled by lay ecclesial ministers and the essential elements of formation of persons (including vowed religious) who serve in these varied roles. Below you will find a description of our Diocesan Certification Process utilizing the language and contribution of Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord. Who is a Certified Lay Ecclesial Minister? A Lay Ecclesial Minister is a person whose service to the Church is “characterized by:
The term “lay ecclesial minister” is intended to encompass and describe a variety of different roles that may be filled by laity on the parish, diocesan and/or other Catholic institutional level. Included are such roles as pastoral associate, youth ministry leader, parish catechetical leader, director of liturgy and/or pastoral music, campus minister, pastoral care coordinator in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and/or jails, and in some cases, parish life coordinators. This term does not reflect a specific position title, but is a generic title that includes many varied leadership positions. A “certified lay ecclesial minister” is someone who has been formally accepted into the diocesan certification process, completed successfully all aspects of Formation, as described below, and who has been “authorized” to serve as a lay ecclesial minister in the diocese by the Bishop of Cleveland. How do I know if I am called to Lay Ecclesial Ministry? The call to lay ecclesial ministry is a gift from God that is discerned by the individual in conversation with their parish priest and other, lay and ordained, ecclesial ministers, their spiritual director and the Church. The Pastoral Ministry Office of the Diocese serves as part of the discernment once other, more personal, conversations have occurred. There are, however, certain characteristics that can be identified that may assist in this discernment. These qualities need to be evident in the individual as they seek application to the Diocesan Certification Process and will be further developed during formation. What are some of these characteristics?
What is required of persons in the Certification Process? Preparation for ecclesial ministry in the Diocese of Cleveland has four distinct yet often overlapping components. These are: Human Formation, Spiritual Formation, Intellectual Formation and Pastoral Formation. “Human Formation seeks to develop the lay ecclesial minister’s human qualities and character fostering a healthy and well-balanced personality, for the sake of both personal growth and ministerial service.” (Co-Workers … page 36)
“Spiritual Formation aims to arouse and animate the hunger for holiness, desire for union with the Father through Christ in the Spirit, daily growing in love of God and neighbor in life and ministry and in the practices of prayer and spirituality that foster these attitudes and dispositions. It promotes and strengthens that fundamental conversion that places God and not oneself at the center of one’s life. Openness to this ongoing conversion is a prerequisite for fruitful spiritual formation.” (Co-Workers … page 38)
“Intellectual Formation seeks to develop the lay ecclesial minister’s understanding and appreciation of the Catholic faith, which is rooted in God’s revelation and embodied in the living tradition of the Church. It consists chiefly of study of the sacred sciences but draws also upon a wide range of other disciplines: philosophy, literature and the arts, psychology, sociology, counseling, medical ethics, culture and language studies, business administration, leadership and organizational development, law and so on. While the sacred sciences are the main focus here, we recognize the value of these other disciplines and encourage their study and use wherever relevant for effective ministry.” (Co-Workers … page 42-43) Listed below are the minimum core areas in which demonstrated competency is required. Courses must be taken at a College or University approved by the Pastoral Ministry Office. Each course must be at least 2 semester hours of credit. Courses taken more than 10 years ago may need to be updated.
“Pastoral Formation cultivates the knowledge, attitudes and skills that directly pertain to effective functioning in the ministry setting and that also pertain to pastoral administration that supports direct ministry.” (Co-Workers … page 47)
Is everyone accepted into the process certified? No. Throughout the time an individual is participating in the process, there is on-going discernment on the part of the candidate, their Spiritual Director, academic advisor, mentor(s), formation facilitators and the Pastoral Ministry Office staff. If at any time the candidate’s progress is questioned, or the goals or vision of the candidate or the Pastoral Ministry Office have changed, termination of the process can result. The intention of the Office staff is to assist the candidate in a process of mutual discernment. The Pastoral Ministry Office looks for signs and indications that the candidate is growing in knowledge, spiritual maturity, personal development and an ability to lead in a ministerial setting. What about my past experience and credentials? The Pastoral Ministry Office is aware that many people come to the Certification Process with a wide variety of academic backgrounds, experience in ministry and competency. The Office is committed to working with each applicant to assure that their experience, education and demonstrated competence in ministry is applied to the requirements of the process when and wherever appropriate. What is required for Admission? The application process begins with the Diocesan Information Night held in January of each year. Applications are given to potential candidates following an initial interview with the Director and /or Associate Director of the Pastoral Ministry Office (deadline, March 1). Following the completion of all application materials, psychological testing and assessment, the applicant is interviewed by the Pastoral Ministry Office Advisory Board. This interview provides the Pastoral Ministry Office staff with additional discernment regarding applicant’s readiness for acceptance into the process. Orientation to the process takes place in several meetings over the summer. Formation begins at the start of the academic year in the fall. What materials are required for application to the Process?
Also helpful as part of Application:
All materials are due to the Office no later than March 31.
The Pastoral Ministry Office 28700 Euclid Avenue Wickliffe, OH 44092 (440) 943-7670 |
