“Looking Back and to the Future” was the theme for the first lay ecclesial ministry benefit dinner. The sold-out event, which attracted nearly 200 people, took place on May 3 at the Center for Pastoral Leadership. The evening included dinner, silent auction, raffles and games.
In his opening remarks, Bishop Nelson Perez thanked the lay ecclesial ministers for all they do for the Church of Cleveland.
“Someone said lay people should be more involved in the Church. Look around,” the bishop said noting that at his first parish – as the pastor and only priest – “I was definitely in the minority.”
The lay ecclesial ministry program in the Diocese of Cleveland was established in 1980, with the first class commissioned by Bishop emeritus Anthony Pilla in 1984. Since that time, more than 400 women and men have been certified as lay ecclesial ministers and 194 are still in active ministry. Pattie Batchman is director of the program, which is based at the CPL.
Bishop Perez said he was reflecting on the role of lay ecclesial ministers and how it has evolved in the Church. He explained that there are two types of church: the Church as the mystical body of Christ and the human dimension of that body.
“At any given moment we are the Church,” he said, adding that those who were here 150 years ago are no longer with us today – physically – in the Church. “I’m in the last quarter of my ecclesial career. I’m still young, but in 18 years I’ll have to hand in my (retirement) letter,” the bishop said. “It took me 57 years to be what I am now; it evolved over time. It was a story that began on June 16, 1961 and is a work in progress, much like the Church on a human level, which is still evolving.”
Bishop Perez said early in Church history, there were no seminaries. Priests were trained but there was no formal formation program until the Council of Trent in 1545, when seminaries became institutional. “The Church had to figure out that it needed a place to form clergy,” he said. The bishop noted that there is no training program for bishops before they begin their work. However, he did attend a two-week program in Rome with other newly ordained bishops.
“You lay ecclesial ministers are blessed with a solid formation program,” he said.
Jesus didn’t call volunteers, “he called disciples. People volunteered. You felt that call and followed it, putting a lot of time, heart, effort and money into it. Hopefully, you’ll never know the full impact of what you do. Thank you for the things you know that you do and the things you don’t know that you do,” he added.
Batchman said Sister Rita Mary Harwood, SND secretary for parish life and development, was to be honored for her contributions and support of the lay ecclesial ministry program over the years. However, she was accidentally double-booked and could not attend the event.
“She was disappointed that she could not be here,” Batchman said, but she sent a letter expressing her gratitude for the recognition and for the work that the lay ecclesial ministers do in the local Church.
Those who were certified from 1984 through 1994, those certified in 2009 and those certified in 2017 were recognized and presented with a red rose.
“Many people cared for and are served by lay ecclesial ministers,” Batchman added.
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.
The diocesan certification program follows a three-year cycle of twice-monthly sessions intended to provide the candidate with a small faith community for support and encouragement, communal theological reflection and prayer.
Proceeds from the benefit will help with faith formation speakers, retreats and scholarships for education in the lay ecclesial ministry program. Beth Rossetti chaired the event. Committee members included Sharon Anderer-Armstrong, Batchman, Phil Guban, Colleen Royer, Joni Smith, Sharon Szabo, Shawn Witmer and Kim Wolf.
Next year’s benefit will take place on May 1, 2020 at the CPL.