Over 80 people from the Cashel & Emly, Kerry, Killaloe and Limerick dioceses, who have completed the course, recently gathered to give feedback in Patrickswell on their experience as lay ministers.
And, according to Fr Eamonn Fitzgibbon, who heads up the programme, the consensus to emerge was one of participants becoming more relaxed in their roles and their ability to impact as lay ministers.
This programme is offered as a means of preparing lay people to take on roles of ministry and leadership in the life of the church. Those who have completed the course have taken up voluntary roles across parishes and communities.
These include leading public prayer, assisting with funeral liturgies, engaging in ecological concerns, music ministry, praying with the Bible and reaching out to those who may be distanced from the faith.
The programme includes a Certificate in Pastoral Ministry, which is accredited by Mary Immaculate College through the Irish Institute for Pastoral Studies. A new intake of participants will take place this autumn for the 30 month programme, which includes an initial period of discernment and reflection followed by two years of study on a Level 6, 30 Credit course. The programme is part-time and takes place over one weekend per month.
Speaking following the recent review, Fr Fitzgibbon said that lay ministers are also getting a deeper understanding of their own faith through their work.
“Ultimately, the beneficiaries of this are parishes and local communities where we simply no longer have clergy available to deliver what we could 20 years ago. However, what very much emerged from our gathering in Patrickswell was a sense of hope and optimism, that even though there is a dramatic decline in the number of vocations to priesthood and the religious life, something new is emerging and opening up.
“There are many lay people able and willing to be involved if they get the necessary formation and support. What this is saying to us is that we need to run more programmes as others will undoubtedly follow these early adopters, not least given their positive experience,” said Fr Fitzgibbon.
“The ultimate motivation for those participating in the programme is their desire to contribute, to ensure that God’s word continues to be spoken and we are really encouraged not alone by the numbers that have come forward but also their commitment and, indeed, spirituality. So many people have so much to offer, and this is their time to give,” he added.
Those interested in participating in the next programme can email Eamonn.Fitzgibbon@mic.ul.ie