Formation for Ministry is essential.

The Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church states:

§ 231.1 Lay persons who devote themselves permanently or temporarily to some special service of the Church are obliged to aquire the appropriate formation which is required to fulfill their function properly and to carry it out conscientiously, zealously, and diligently.

Persons who engage in ecclesial ministry are to engage in formation covering the following areas*:

1. Human Formation: This formation topic seeks to develop the lay ecclesial minister's human qualities and character, fostering a healthy and well balanced personality, for the sake of both personal growth and ministerial service. Click here for the element of Human Formation.

2. Spiritual Formation: This formation topic aims to arouse and animate true hunger for holiness, desire for union with the Father through Christ in the Spirit, daily growing in love of God and neighbor in life and ministry, and the practices of prayer and spirituality that foster these attitudes and dispositions. It promotes and strengthens that fundamental conversion that places God, and not oneself, at the center of life. Openness to this ongoing conversion is a prerequisite for fruitful spiritual formation. Click here for the elements of Spiritual Formation.

3. Intellectual Formation: This area of formation seeks to develop the lay ecclesial minister's understanding and appreciation of the Catholic faith, which is rooted in God's revelation and embodied in the living tradition of the Church. It consists chiefly of the study of the sacred sciences but draws upon a wide range of other disciplines; philosophy, literature and the arts, psychology, sociology, counseling, medical ethics, culture and language studies, business administration, leadership and organizational development, law and so on. While the sacred sciences are the main focus, recognition of the value of these other disciplines and encouragement of their study and use are relevant to effective ministry. Click here for the elements of Intellectual Formation.

4. Pastoral Formation: This area of formation cultivates the knowledge, attitudes and skills that directly pertain to effective functioning in ministry and also pertain to pastoral administration that supports direct ministry. Click here for the elements of Pastoral Formation.

* For more detailed information and explanation on these topics, see "Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord: A Resource for Guiding the Development of Lay Ecclesial Ministry," USCCB 2005

With this in mind, the Office for Youth ministry provides trainings at the Diocesan, Regional, Vicariate, and Parish level. Parishes can choose training topics from the Youth Ministry Training Menu or can have trainings tailor made to fit a specific need. Just call the office to discuss your youth Ministry training needs.

To review the Youth Ministry Training Menu, click here.