The Foundation of the Lay Pastor Society  

  • The Teachings of Jesus Christ

  • The Inspiration of the Holy Spirit

  • The Challenge of Vatican II

  • The Necessities of our Times

Our Challenge

 

It is the responsibility of Christ's Church to reach-out and meet the needs of its family.  In today's world, with the expanding number of church members and the declining number of priests and deacons, it falls upon the lay people to assist in meeting those needs.

 

As a result of Vatican II lay people are not only given the right to take on more of the traditional responsibilities usually reserved for priests and deacons, but in addition, are empowered and challenged to do so.

 

In Scripture, Jesus tells the story of a shepherd who leaves his flock to find one lost sheep.  For the past two centuries, the lay members of the church have relied on the ordained members to complete this task.  However, our church has become so large that our ordained members aren't able to keep up with the "sheep" who lose their way.  It is, therefore, our responsibility to assist our ordained.  We must take the words of Christ to heart and look after and help our fellow Christians.  In other words, we are to accept the call of Jesus, afterall, he was talking to all of us.

 

Our challenge is to take on the mantle of disciple.  To become a lay person who feels the call to assist the Church's ordained in meeting the needs of its flock.  Our challenge is to serve the church as a Lay Pastor.

 

Our Goal  

  • Our goal is to establish a community of lay people: Lay Christians who will work together to reach-out and tend to the many needs of our Church family;

  • To assist and support the ordained in communicating and carrying out the teachings of Jesus Christ;

  • To be an extension of the loving arms of "Mother Church."  To lovingly pursue and "return to the fold" any and all lost sheep;

  • To offer comfort and direction to all who wish a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.  Then to assist in their spiritual and Christian growth and development;

  • To be an example of a true disciple and follower of Jesus Christ as exemplified in Holy Scripture;

  • To contact all who call themselves members of the church and offer leadership, help, understanding, compassion, love, support and guidance;

  • To encourage in everyone a closer walk with the Lord;

  • To provide one Lay Pastor for every 20 families in a parish;

  • To form support groups within each parish comprising a maximum of ten Lay Pastors.

Our Mission Statement

Our mission is to serve the Lord and to serve our Church as a fellowship of Lay Catholic Christians dedicated to personalizing the love and concern the Catholic Church feels for its members.  

We will strive to strengthen and unite the individuals and families of our parish to love, worship and trust in the Lord.  

It will be our goal to communicate, on a regular basis, to our brothers and sisters in Christ, that they are remembered and loved by their Church.  

We will humbly and discreetly address the concerns of our parish members and will do all we can to assist and support our ordained and religious in their leadership of our Church.

Requirements to Become a Lay Pastor

  • A Christian;

  • A Baptized, Confirmed and current member of your church;

  • Approved by your Pastor and church community;

  • Man or Woman, married or single, 18 years of age and above (the age limit is discretionary);

  • A willingness to make a three year commitment;

  • A desire to more fully meet the call of Jesus to go out into the world as a witness to share the love of Christ;

  • An unselfish resolve to help your fellow men and women;

  • A desire to serve rather than to be served;

  • To feel the call to be a Lay Pastor as an inspiration of the heart rather than as an aspiration of ego and self gratification.

Lay Pastor Responsibilities

  1. Attend an introductory weekend retreat designed to help Lay Pastor candidates discern, focus and dedicate their lives to this new call.  (It is for spouses als

  2. Accept as shepherd the responsibility of monthly contact with all assigned church families.  (Approximately 20 families per Lay Pastor.)

  3. Attend a monthly meeting with fellow Lay Pastors and the pastor of your parish to pray, discuss and brainstorm.  To bring to light any questions, desires, concerns and/or needs expressed by assigned families.  To plan next months contact goals.  (In addition to basic monthly contact, there should be an underlying goal to accomplish with each months contacts.)

  4. To be a listener and a loving Christian brother or sister,  One who lets his/her flock know that there is someone out there who cares.  Not to be a counselor, lawyer, psychologist, psychiatrist, doctor, scriptural expert, financial advisor, etc.  If a member of your flock needs help in any of these areas you are to direct them to the proper, licensed church affiliated organization or service agency.

  5. To be aware of and current on all available church/parish organizations and service agencies.

Lay Pastor Support

  • A newsletter will be sent to all Lay Pastors with inspiring and encouraging news of successes as shared by fellow Lay Pastors;

  • An annual retreat of renewal.  To regain focus and to rededicate commitment;

  • A bible and study guide (if one LP doesn't have one) assisting the the Lay Pastor to work his/her way through the Holy Scriptures on an annual basis;

  • A lapel pin to wear and serve as a reminder of the call you accepted to serve the Lord.

The Lay Pastor’s Prayer

My Heavenly Father, I thank You for all the wonderful people You’ve put in my life.  

I thank You for my Church family and especially for the families I’ve been assigned to look after and care for.  

Please help me to realize at all times and be ever mindful that they are Your children, and that what I do for them I do for You.  And what I forget or neglect to do for them I forget and neglect to do for You.  

Please give me the strength, understanding, patience and compassion to carry out my responsibilities and to meet the needs of my brothers and sisters. 

Please help me to properly assist my pastor and unselfishly fulfill Your wish for me here on earth.  

Please help me to remember that I am truly here to serve and not to be served. 

I pray for all those who are struggling to know You better, and for all those who have yet to come to a relationship with You. 

I say these things in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen  

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