Dominicus Humus: March 2008

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

FORMATION OF LAY MINISTERS

Since LFC opened in 2005, it has always been the home of the Lay Ministers in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. In 2006, all the Lay Ministers were given conferences on the Social Doctrine of the Church. In 2007, they had been lectured a uniform syllabus on the Liturgy, Scriptures, Doctrines and Spirituality. This 2008, there will be a program being developed for them by th Archdiocesan Biblical Apostolate, the John Paul II Biblical Center.

During this Lent 2008, the OLD Lay Ministers (meaning those who have already been commissioned in the past), had their Annual Lenten Recollection. Fr. Manuel Bravo, Fr. Jerry Cera and Fr. Mario Morales were the speakers during the conferences. Mrs. Susan Aoanan, a Lay Leader at St. Ildefonse Parish, Malasiqui, acted as the Facilitator of the Recollection. The Eucharist, the Stations of the Cross and the Reconciliation were presided over by Fr. Mario DC. Sanchez.

These pictures below were taken at the end of the Formation of the NEW Lay Ministers (both Lectors and Lay Eucharistic Ministers). Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, Bishop Renato P. Mayugba and Msgr. Luis B. Ungson were invited to give talks. Fr. Mario DC. Sanchez gave the conferences on the Liturgy, Doctrines and Spirituality. Mrs. Susan Aoanan acted as the dean of the formation this year.

The Commissioning of the New Lectors as well as the Recommissioning of the Old Lay Eucharistic Ministers are held during the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday at 9AM at the St. John Parish Church, Dagupan City.

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.