The online application is here:

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1 Applications are now being accepted for the Lay Ecclesial Ministry Institute of the Diocese of Kalamazoo which will begin its first sessions in September, The Institute seeks to provide women and men in positions of ministry leadership with instruction and formation. It is thus intended first for Administrators, and Administrative Assistants; Lay Pastoral Coordinators; all Parish leadership and support positions, (such as Directors/Coordinators of Liturgy and Music, Directors/Coordinators of Religious Education, Adult Formation, and Youth Ministry; Pastoral Associates; etc.), but also for Campus Ministers; Catholic School Principals, and Teachers of Theology. It is also open to those who wish ministry training to help fulfill their desire to serve the Church in any of these positions in the future. The Lay Ecclesial Ministry Institute will be offered in Kalamazoo on eight Saturdays a year for three years. Seven of the Saturdays will be more catechetical in format and these will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, the final Saturday of each program year will be a spiritual retreat and will run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Due to space limitations, there is a limit of 60 participants for the first three-year session. Bishop Bradley would love to see one person from each of our parishes participating in the Institute starting this fall. More complete information about the Lay Ecclesial Ministry Institute can be found on this webpage or in printable format here: A printable three-year list of the classes and topics is online here: The online application is here: The final deadline for all submissions, including the required letters of recommendation, is July 17, Deacon Kurt Lucas is available to discuss the Lay Ecclesial Ministry Institute and to answer any questions. He can be contacted at klucas@diokzoo.org or

2 MISSION STATEMENT All Christians, by virtue of their Baptism, are called to the fullness of Christian life and to use their gifts and talents to transform the world for Christ. The Holy Spirit empowers the faithful in this work. Some people are called to service in a particular ministry of leadership and collaboration within the Church. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has identified these lay people who prepare for service as lay ecclesial ministers. As described in the USCCB document Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord, these are men and women whose ecclesial service is characterized by: GOALS Authorization of the hierarchy to serve publically in the local church Leadership in a particular area of ministry Close mutual collaboration with the pastoral ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons Preparation and formation appropriate to the level of responsibilities that are assigned to them To prepare laity for leadership in the Church through human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation. To foster self-awareness and recognition in others of the human characteristics needed for personal growth and ministerial service. To prepare Catholic people of the local Church to be commissioned as certified lay ecclesial ministers and provide active service in a parish setting. To provide opportunities for self-renewal in ministry and for ongoing formation as lay ecclesial ministers. To enhance employment opportunities and placement for ministry.

3 OBJECTIVES The laity participating in this program will: Explore human qualities and traits fostering a healthy, well-balanced personality, including: understanding of self and others, the practice of Christian virtues, and genuine respect and concern for others. Identify spiritual charisms and personal gifts for ministry. Utilize the process of theological reflection in personal and ministerial settings. Participate in the practice of prayer and the sacraments in the context of the Catholic Christian spiritual tradition. Attain theological knowledge of the Church s teachings and traditions. Examine the role of collaboration and cooperation in ministry. Gain an appreciation of the ethnic, cultural, and ecclesial diversity in the diocese. Acquire pastoral skills in communication, administration, leadership, and ministry. Build relationships on the local parish level and enhance awareness of the connection to the Diocesan and Universal Church. LOCATION While the ultimate goal is to offer this program in regional sites around the diocese through streaming video, the diocese does not yet have the technological capability to make this a reality. So for this first three-year session, this program will be offered at the Transformations Spirituality Center of the Congregation of St. Joseph, 3427 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI

4 Dates (Saturdays) September 19, 2015 October 17, 2015 November 21, 2015 February 20, 2016 March 19, 2016 April 16, 2016 May 21, 2016 June 18, 2016 September 24, 2016 October 15, 2016 November 19, 2016 February 18, 2017 March 18, 2017 April 22, 2017 May 20, 2017 June 17, 2017 Topics LEMI Orientation and Intentional Discipleship Discernment of Personal Gifts and Charisms Old Testament & Personal Spiritual Formation New Testament & Ministerial Relationships and Boundaries One and Triune God & Listening and Communication Skills Creed 1 & Conflict Resolution and Consensus Building Creed 2 & Group Dynamics and Facilitation Skills Mass and Retreat: Focus - Prayer and the Spiritual Life Sacraments 1 & Goal Setting and Mission Planning Sacraments 2 & Styles and Functions of Leadership Canon and Civil Law & Team Building and Problem Solving Morality 1 & Identifying and Calling Forth Gifts in Others Morality 2 & Recruitment/Training of Staff and Volunteers Ministry-Specific Seminars & Supervision/Evaluation of Staff Practicum Orientation & Pastoral Counseling/Spiritual Direction Mass and Retreat: Focus - Models of Discipleship, Mary and the Saints September 16, 2017 Catholic Social Teaching & Awareness of Diversity in Ministry 1 October 21, 2017 Ecclesiology & Awareness of Diversity in Ministry 2 November 18, 2017 Vatican II and the Church & Budget and Record-Keeping 1 February 17, 2018 The New Evangelization & Budget and Record-Keeping 2 March 17, 2018 April 21, 2018 May 19, 2018 Ministry in a Culturally Diverse Church & Collaboration with Partner Parishes, the Deanery, and the Diocese 1 Popular Religion/Devotions and Mariology & Collaboration with Partner Parishes, the Deanery, and the Diocese 2 Mentor and Ministry Practicum Debriefing and Conclusions June 16, 2018 Final Retreat with Mass and Commissioning

5 FEE STRUCTURE Application Fee $25 Participant Parish $100 a year for each of three years ($300 total) $100 a year for each of three years ($300 total) The Lay Ecclesial Ministry Institute is funded with approximately 1/3 of funding coming from the participant/parish fees, 1/3 coming from a grant from Catholic Extension, and 1/3 coming from Bishop s Annual Appeal funds. These funds cover: All costs associated with facility rental and setup/cleanup, course content and Pastoral Skills Workshop instructors, books, handouts, coffee/drinks, snacks, and meals for all of the Saturday sessions All costs associated with facility rental and setup/cleanup, facilitators, priests, Mass and Confession, books, handouts coffee/drinks, snacks, and meals for all of the Saturday retreat days All costs associated with mentors for participants and support staff for the program These funds do not cover: Mileage reimbursements or fuel costs for participants Child-care costs for participants Other incurred expenses for participants not directly noted above

6 LIBRARY OF BOOKS Acceptance into the Lay Ecclesial Ministry Institute includes the following library of books for each participant. These will serve as the texts for the classes and also provide an excellent reference set for participants both during formation and in their ministries.