Working in a great parish where it is difficult to get some of the simplest things done due to a labor shortage --that is, people giving their time for service-- and getting other ministerial things accomplished for the good of the Church and the salvation of souls, thinking about the ministry of the laity has given me pause to revisit some personal thinking. Baltimore's Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien wrote about lay ministry in the current edition of The Catholic Review where he acknowledges the great number of people who Christ and the Church in generous ways by living the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. The Archbishop puts his finger on a process, formation. Pay attention to what Pope Benedict has said about parish work.
One of the great joys I have experienced in my visits to parishes and schools in our Archdiocese over the past three-plus years has been the witness of so many dedicated lay Catholics who serve the Church in many and diverse ways. Much of the work of these lay ministers is visible to us. They share their gifts and talents as music ministers at Mass, making "a joyful noise to the Lord," and as lectors, ushers and Eucharistic ministers who, Sunday after Sunday, show great care for the liturgy. Catechists minister in our parishes, passing on the faith to Catholics of all ages - from converts to "cradle Catholics" - who are hungry for spiritual nourishment. And the youth ministers of our Archdiocese share their enthusiasm for being Catholic and the Gospel message of God's love with young people "on fire" for their faith. |
Continue reading Equipped for Ministry? Each person called by the Lord has work to do.
