Lay Ecclesial Ministry Office

Over 400 laity have been certified for ministerial leadership in parish, diocesan and other Catholic ministerial settings since 1985.

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.

Upcoming Events:

Visit a Friday Evening Lay Ecclesial Ministry Formation Session on May 17, 2019

To learn more about the formation piece of becoming a Certified Lay Ecclesial Minister, please consider joining us for prayer and discussion about the formation process from 6:30-8:00 PM.

LEM Visit Formation Night on May 17, 2019

Lay Ecclesial Ministry Annual Retreat from July 26, 7:00 PM to July 27, 7:00 PM at Loyola Retreat House

  "Ministering with a Compassionate Heart” directed by Maureen Dowd.  Accompanying with heartfelt compassion takes a great deal of prayer and reflection so that we can ultimately love with the heart of Jesus.  We will reflect on ideas from Joyce Rupp’s book, Boundless Compassion – Creating a Way of Life as well as other resources.  This retreat affords us an opportunity to get away in prayer, and re-center our hearts, our ministry and our lives.  For more details:

LEM Retreat July 26 & 27, 2019 at Loyola Retreat House 

Contact Us

For information about lay ministry formation in the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, please contact our staff:

Pattie Batchman, Director                                                                             
(440) 943-7669                             

Colleen Royer, Office Manager
(440) 943-7670