The Catholic body of christians will mark an historic occurrence this year when lay the public theologians.

The Catholic body of christians will mark an historic occurrence this year when lay the public theologians, and bishops from across Canada gather to celebrate the vocational call to lay ecclesial ministry.

The "Celebrate the Call" conversation will take place at St Paul's University in Ottawa from May 11-13 For dozens of persons this event will be the culmination of five years of discussion and work. greatest in number lay ministers, however, are hearing about this shoot forward for the first time as recents of the conference spreads across the country

The talk will welcome lay ministers, religious, priests, bishops and theologians for an experience of sharing, learning, prayer and discernment. Workshops will explore pastoral, theological and cultural issues in the same state [i]or[/i] condition as vocation and spirituality, balancing family life and ministry, and the harmonization of ministries. Workshops upon "Professionalism and Ethics in Pastoral Ministry" and "Human Resource Management for Lay Ecclesial Ministry" will be of value to bishops or administrators responsible for overseeing lay ministry. Liturgical celebrations will draw participants together in prayer everywhere the conference. The conference will be bilingual.

"Celebrating the Call" co-ordinator Gertrude Rompre says that the conclusion will enact a long-term goal of building connections among race interested in the development of lay ecclesial ministry. "For commonalty in lay ministry, it will be an opportunity to discover the best practices of lay ecclesial ministry from the various sectors and regions in Canada: it will provide a snapshot of the state of lay ecclesial ministry in Canada today. It also will be a unique opportunity for the francophone and anglophone sectors to engage and exchange perspectives."

The keynote presentation, "Lay Ecclesial Ministry in Canada: Past, current and Future," will be given according to Most Rev. Martin Veillette, Bishop of Trois-Rivieres, and Carol Kuzmochka, Co-ordinator of Adult Faith progressive growth and Leadership Formation for the Archdiocese of Ottawa and past coordinator of the Canadian Association of Ministries Programs.

Bishops have voiced support for the colloquy recognizing the potential benefits of a network connecting the lay ministers of their dioceses with resources for support, inspiration and ongoing education. The project's episcopal advisor, Archbishop James Weisgerber, has encouraged participation in the conversation noting that a national network of lay ministers would benefit everyone "Bringing together lay ministers in the two of Canada's official languages, and from all the regions of our region is the work of the Spirit. The collaborative ministry of priests and laity is essential to the ministry of the Bishops and of service to the entire clan of God."

The history of this concoct reflects a remarkable degree of used by all vision shared by lay ministers, religious orders and bishops. The draw began in June 2000 when 70 lay ecclesial ministers gathered at Newman Theological association in Edmonton for a Pastoral Institute upon Lay Ministry. A task arrange discovered that very little information existed about the reality of Catholic lay ecclesial ministry across Canada. The lack of information allude toed an exciting opportunity to explore as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but the present reality and the what is yet to be promise of lay contributions to the ministry and mission of the house of worship By January 2001, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate had provided funding.

Data and perspectives from lay ministry focus disposes across Canada were collected. In June 2003 32 leaders of national associations serving lay ecclesial ministers gathered in Ottawa to review the research. Delegates from each region of Canada, including Nunavut, engaged in couple days of bilingual discussion and reflection. The form into groups gave unanimous consent to the formation of a national Catholic network to celebrate and support lay ecclesial ministry in Canada, and struck a meeting for consultation planning committee.

The "Celebrate the Call" parley will launch the national network and provide an opportunity to meditate on issues shared by all lay ministers. The colloquy is open to anyone interested in the growth and encouragement of lay ecclesial ministry. talk attendees will discern the initial function and organization of the recently made known national lay ministry network.

Kate Fagan Taylor is forward maternity leave as chaplain at the University of Victoria. Registration information is available at www.laikos.ca or by means of phoning 306 384-6645.

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