Over 60 Lay Leaders to be commissioned to minister in Mayo diocese
ARCHBISHOP Francis Duffy will commission 64 Lay Leaders - women and men - during Chrism Mass at 6.30 p.m. today (Tuesday) in Saint Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina, in the Diocese of Killala.
Their commissioning comes after a period of over two years of study, following which they each received a Certificate in Lay Leadership from the Newman Institute of Education, Ballina.
Ahead of the commissioning ceremony, Archbishop Duffy congratulated the graduates for their energy and faith, as well as for their commitment to the importance of their mission.
Archbishop Duffy said: “Today we celebrate, not just academic achievement, but a deep commitment to pastoral service. Our women and men Lay Leaders have each responded to the call of the Gospel, stepping forward to share in the leadership of our parishes.
“We are all very grateful for the generosity of spirit that they will share amongst the faithful over the coming years.”
Lay Leaders will be members of parish ministry teams, working alongside their priests and actively bringing the love and compassion of Christ to their ministry of care for the bereaved. A key focus of the course was to prepare Lay Leaders to co-lead with their priests the various rites contained in the Order of Christian funerals.
For example, Lay Leaders can co-lead prayers in the wake house or funeral home, in the church for the Rite of Reception, the Prayer of Final Commendation, and the Rite of Committal in the cemetery.
Lay Leader course director Fr. Michael Gilroy said: “The equal dignity we all share in and through our baptism has been the foundation stone upon which this course was designed and delivered. Our Lay Leaders are approaching their ministry with humility and service, putting their gifts at the service of the people of God.
“I offer my prayerful good wishes to all as they embark upon their new ministry.”
During their training the Lay Leaders studied subjects such as Theology, Culture and Ministry. In total, 12 modules were studied in the areas of Church History, Faith and Culture, Liturgy, Sacred Music, Sacred Scripture, Pastoral Theology, Safeguarding, Bereavement Care, Synodality, Moral Theology and Catholic Social Teaching, Christology, and Canon Law and the Administration of Parishes.
Course participants also completed pastoral placements in six host parishes covering areas such as scripture meditation, guided prayer, Advent and Lent reflection evenings, and co-leading funeral rites with their priest.