CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte Lay Ministry Formation Program, a two-year formation program for laity, will begin a new session this September.
The Lay Ministry Formation Program is designed to help Catholics better understand their faith so they may better respond to their baptismal call to participate in the Church’s mission. This program is designed for adults at all levels – anyone who may be interested in serving the Church or who simply wants to deepen their understanding of Church teachings, scripture, theology and authentic spirituality.
Through the formation program, which follows the academic year and is comprised of 150 class hours, participants will develop their skills and abilities to become more efficacious signs of Christ’s presence among all of God’s people.
Participants will:
- appreciate and understand more fully that they are called to and gifted for the lay apostolate by virtue of their baptism and confirmation,
- be affirmed and grow in competence and confidence in their present ministries to and with others: the Church, their families and the community,
- explore their personal gifts and how those gifts may be used in response to their baptismal call, and
- grow in their Catholic faith
There are five proposed sites for the 2018-’20 English program (based on a minimum number of participants): Arden, Charlotte, Greensboro, Lenoir and the Smoky Mountain region. Classes will meet on designated Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. with an hour for lunch. Sessions average about one every three weeks within the academic year.
There are two proposed sites for the 2018-’20 Spanish program (based on a minimum number of participants): Charlotte and Hendersonville. Classes will meet 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays in Charlotte and 7-9 p.m. Fridays in Hendersonville.
Participants must be registered at a parish, provide a letter of recommendation from their pastor, commit to actively practicing their Catholic faith, and agree to begin praying at least one hour of the Liturgy of the Hours daily as a part of their regular, planned prayer life.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
For details
For more information and to enroll in the Lay Ministry Formation Program, call Frank Villaronga, diocesan director of evangelization and adult education, at 704-370-3274 or go online to www.charlottediocese.org/ev/adult-education.