TOLEDO—Fifteen people were recognized for completing the Lay Ministry Program in a Mass celebrated by Bishop Leonard P. Blair June 1 at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral.

Fifteen people were recognized for completing the Lay Ministry Program in a Mass celebrated by Bishop Leonard P. Blair June 1 at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral. (Chronicle photo by Laurie Stevens)

During the recognition ceremony, Bishop Blair expressed gratitude for the lay ministers “who have been willing generously to respond to the call to be of greater service to Christ in His church.”

Over the past three years, the new lay ministers have grown in their knowledge of the Catholic faith through study, formation and prayer together.

Those completing the program include Harriet Amendola, Upper Sandusky Transfiguration of the Lord; Michael Baltzell, Tiffin St. Joseph; Joanne Cavedine, Findlay St. Michael; Sharon Cole, Lima St. Gerard; Anita Donnan, Lexington Resurrection; Gerald Galernik, Rossford All Saints; Mark Homier, Defiance St. John; Kenneth Koester, Lima St. Charles; Ernie Marsteller, Perrysburg St. Rose; Michele Rossini, Toledo Christ the King; Karen and Keith Talbert, Findlay St. Michael; Ed Urbain, Toledo Christ the King; Janet Wilhelm, Bowling Green St. Aloysius; and Thomas Wray, Perrysburg St. Rose.

The Lay Ministry Program is designed for Catholics who wish to serve in volunteer or part-time ministry positions in their parishes. Through the program they can pursue certification in a specific ministry, earn college credits in theology, or simply participate for personal growth to develop a better understanding and appreciation of their faith. It also serves as a foundation for men who decide to apply for the diaconate.

Cleveland Ursuline Sister Carla Murar, director of the Office of Lay Ministry Formation for the Diocese of Toledo, says the program is meant to help Catholics become better disciples of Christ.

She cites some examples of parish positions that may be filled by lay ministers — catechists, RCIA team members, CYO coaches and parish office volunteers.

“There are all kinds of things that need to be done in a parish setting,” says Sr. Murar. “This would give them the kind of background that would help them see those ministries through the lens of a deeper understanding of the faith.”

The program also helps people become more comfortable with evangelization, she adds.

“Hopefully this will influence their whole life and the way they are living their lives,” says Sr. Murar.

Any Catholic in good standing with a baptismal certificate can enter the lay ministry program for personal growth. In this track, they are expected to complete the readings to participate in discussions.

Those pursuing certification or college credits through the program must also have a letter of recommendation from their pastor. In addition to reading assignments, they are expected to complete assessments, projects and papers.

Instructors in the Lay Ministry Program include qualified priests, religious and laypeople from the Diocese of Toledo.

Each level of the program generally meets eight times for class sessions and two to three times for workshops every year. They meet from the fall through the spring.

For the 2008-2009 year, Year 1 students will meet at Mercy College in Toledo. A second site may be added if enough people register for the program.

To learn more about the diocesan lay ministry program, contact Sr. Carla Murar by Aug. 1 at 419-244-6711 or visit www.toledodiocese.org; click on “Evangelization” and then click on “Catechesis and Lifelong Formation.”