Dear Friends,

Welcome to the website for Formation For Ministry.  Lay Ministry plays an important and distinctive role in our parishes today.  Formation for Ministry is a training program to enable you to become a more effective member of your parish.

This site will provide you with information regarding the academic, pastoral and spiritual formation of those people who desire to minister to the many needs in their local parishes. Under the direction of their pastor, men and women desiring to enrich their knowledge of the Church are given the opportunity to participate in this two year program.

During the last twenty-five years the Christian lay faithful have contributed greatly to the spiritual heritage of the Church, enlarging our understanding of what it means to be called to holiness, that is, to be called to "ever more intimate union with Christ" (Catechism of the Catholic church, no.2014). Their union with Christ is evident in a deepened awareness of the spiritual dimensions of life.

If you desire to know more about the Formation For Ministry program in our diocese, we invite you to contact your pastor or e-mail me at jbaumert@dioogdensburg.org.

Sister Judith Baumert, SSJ
Diocesan Director