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In the following article, Peg Valenti chronicles her faith journey over the last two years and her involvement in a Lay Ministry Formation Program held at St. Anselm College in Manchester.
This past year I was privileged to attend the Lay Ministry Formation Program held at St. Anselm College in Manchester. This program is sponsored by the Diocese of Manchester in order to provide academic training for parishioners in the various Catholic Churches in the Diocese. This is a three-year program which includes academic study, formation days, annual retreats and a practicum in the third year. There are also opportunities for online courses and independent studies. Classes meet once a week and one or two Saturdays during the semester. The purpose of this program is to enhance the education and skills of those involved in lay ministry programs in their parishes. It is more than a workshop, but less than a college degree. At the completion of the three years, a certificate is granted. I am going into my second year of studying in September, 2007. I would like to tell you about my first year’s experience with this program. In the fall of 2006, I participated in two courses. One involved Theology of Ministry and the other was Foundations of Spirituality. Some of the material studied included Lumen Gentium – a Vatican II document calling for all baptized to holiness. With Vatican II Council, many changes came about in the Catholic Church. One of them was to involve the laity more in all areas of parish life. As baptized Catholics, we are all called to holiness. That means by our receiving the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, we are called to share our faith, talents and works with others. There are many areas of ministry other than religious or ordained to which Catholics may be called. In other words, we all have God given talents. Whether they may be in music or teaching or artistic or hospitality, we are all called to use them for God’s glory and honor. We are co-workers in the Vineyard. In the spring, 2007, the program studied in depth, the Old Testament and the New Testament. This was a comprehensive course taught by one of the professors at the college. We read most of both books of the Bible and wrote a number of reflective papers on each of the readings. It was a very enlightening course, as one could see the connection between the Old and the New Testaments and the fulfillment of the Old Testament by Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. After completion of this course, I have a much deeper appreciation of the readings at Mass and a much deeper love for Christ as our Savior. I have a much deeper understanding of the Mass and know each time the bread and wine are consecrated by the priest and the people, the real presence of Christ comes to us body, blood, soul and divinity in the form of bread and wine. I look forward to my second year which will include an in depth study of the Sacraments and Christology. Please keep me in your prayers as I journey through this program and grow in my Catholic faith. My hope is that I may use this knowledge to better serve our parish and give glory to God, the Father, Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit. |
