In 1986, after a year of reflection, at Lake Placid, priests of the Diocese of Ogdensburg recommended to Bishop Statislaus J. Brzana that the diocese make it possible for the laity to receive training to develop their faith journey and to be better prepared for lay ministry. In September 1986, Bishop Brzana set up a planning committee of priests, deacons, religious and laity to assess the diocesan needs in light of Vatican II.

The diocesan planning committee met during a two year period through parish meetings and regional gatherings. People who attended those sessions asked for classes geared to adult learning and participation so they could convey the Church’s teaching well. They also requested training for parish pastoral work. In the fall of 1988, the planning committee recommended the establishment of a Lay Ministry Training Program for the diocese.

Formation For Ministry has evolved as a program to support men and women who are called to minister. Formation For Ministry is a prerequisite for those who wish to apply for the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program. Since 1990, the lives of over 500 men and women have been enriched as they were commissioned for lay ministry.

Formal classes began in January 1990 at St. James Church in Gouverneur. Since then, classes have met in Black River, Carthage, Ellenburg, Lake Placid, Malone, Massena. Morrisonville, Ogdensburg, Peru, Port Leyden, Potsdam, Treadwells Mill, Tupper Lake, Watertown, and Westport.

For a two year period, candidates throughout the diocese attend weekly classes in Old and New Testament, Church, Spirituality, Christology, Sacraments, Moral Theology and Social Justice. They participate in workshops specializing in their chosen ministry: Worship, Sick and Elderly, Family, Youth, Scouting, Outreach, Adult Faith Facilitator, Religious Education Coordinator and Catechist. Participants also have the experience of a yearly weekend retreat providing an opportunity to meet with candidates from all of the sites.

At the end of their two-year classes, the men and women reflect upon their job descriptions within their respective parishes. They share their insights and reflections upon their ministry experience with their pastor/administrator or parish supervisor as a way to better serve in the parish. After all the requirements have been met, A Eucharistic Liturgy for the Blessing and Commissioning of Pastoral Ministers, with the Bishop presiding, is held. At the commissioning each candidate is presented by the Bishop and their pastor/administrator with a framed certificate and their lay ministry pin.

Through the encouragement of the Bishop, the Bishop’s Fund and the parishes support Formation For Ministry to enable the program to continue and expand throughout the diocese. Two or three new sites are selected for each two-year term based on the number of applicants.

If you feel called to lay ministry in your parish and are interested in applying to the Formation For Ministry program, please consult the pastor/administrator and complete an Inquiry Form. We will contact you to let you know when the next two year session will be starting and the sites selected.

It is a wonderful opportunity for people of the parish to rekindle their baptismal responsibilities to serve their parishes.