Dominicus Humus: Updating-Formation of ALD Lay Ministers

Friday, June 22, 2007

Updating-Formation of ALD Lay Ministers

ARCHBISHOP OSCAR V. CRUZ in the Circular Letter Number 18 Series 2007 encouraged all Lay Ministers (Lay Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors) thru their Parish Priests and School Directors "to faithfully presence" updating-formation seminars at the Lay Formation Center.

The Letter reaffirms the mandate given to the Lay Formation Center to schedule seminars and programs for the continuing formation of the Lay Ministers in the Archdiocese.

The Archbishop also mentioned the suggestions of the consultation made by Fr. Mario DC Sanchez, the current LFC Director, with the representatives of the different parishes last June 9, 2007.

As recommended by the representatives, annual formation seminar will have a common module which will be attended by Vicariate from June to November.

The formation seminar is the other requirement for Lay Ministers to attend aside from their annual recollection which is held in Lent.

Vocation and Mission of LFC

Christifidelis Laici, the 1985 Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II on the Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World, speaks very eloquently about the formation of the lay faithful. According to this document, the laity should receive a complete and integrated formation, one which bears its fruit in every sphere of their existence and activity.

1) The spiritual formation of the laity – their continual growth in communion with Christ is nourished by the help to holiness offered by the Church.

2) Doctrinal formation – which will enable them to explain to the world the reason for their hope. Systematic catechesis is also necessary.

3) A proper formation of a social conscience, especially in the Church’s social teaching.

4) An integrated program of formation that cultivates the human values and skills necessary for the lay faithful’s apostolic activities.

God is the first formator of the laity. The Church for her part also takes part in forming the lay faithful through the ministry of teaching and celebration of the sacraments. The Lay Formation Center exists for this purpose.

The Lay Formation Center (LFC) was established by Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz and the Clergy of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, Philippines, for the formation "especially of the laity." It opened on the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, the first Filipino Saint, who is a Filipino and lay person on September 28, 2005. Fr. Mario Dominic C. Sanchez was appointed its first Director. Since then, LFC has housed more than 500 groups from the entire country for retreats, recollections, conferences and seminars. Its location is about 7 kilometers from Dagupan City center (east) and 20 kilometers from the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag (west). It is only a kilometer away from Bonuan Tondaligan Beach (north).