For the past five years, the Diocese of Helena has been guided by the Pastoral Plan titled “Come to the Light.”

Among the many priorities and goals we selected and highlighted, vocations to the priesthood and religious life, along with the permanent diaconate and lay ecclesial ministry, surfaced across the diocese.

The people of our diocese took to heart the words of the Second Vatican Council Fathers, who wrote, “The task of fostering vocations devolves on the whole Christian community, which should do so in the first place by living in a fully Christian way.”

Now five years later, it is good to look back on the remarkable progress we have made in our common vocations effort.

Vocations to the Priesthood

I am pleased to tell you that this fall, 17 men will be enrolled in various stages of seminary formation. This is the largest number since 1968, when 22 men were enrolled in seminary formation.

All are college graduates and are characterized by their deep love for Christ and the Church, and by their desire to serve the people of God. Our men are at Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon; St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Colorado; Theological College at The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C.; and North American College in Rome.

The rectors of these seminaries often ask, “How are you recruiting such highquality men for the Diocese of Helena?”

I am deeply grateful to Father Marc Lenneman, who is our vocations director; the Vocations Committee; and the priests and people of this diocese for making this effort so successful.

The promotion of priestly vocations is a task ever-close to my heart, and I am heartened and grateful to God for providing our diocese with such wonderful seminarians.

It is my sincere hope and desire that the example of these seminarians, coupled with the prayerful support of priests and parents, will inspire even more young men to hear the call of Christ the Good Shepherd deep within their hearts.

The Permanent Diaconate

Five years ago, under the watchful eye of Father John Robertson, our diocese initiated a comprehensive formation program for permanent deacons.

Seventeen men and their wives have participated wholeheartedly in the labor-intensive process of spiritual, intellectual, pastoral and human formation.

Dr. David Thomas and a faculty of priests, religious and laity have provided a high-quality formation experience.

Our deacon candidates are now prepared, and will present themselves for ordination at the Cathedral of St. Helena on June 29, the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.

These permanent deacons will soon be entrusted with a threefold ministry described in Church documents as “the ministry of the Word leading to the ministry of the altar, which in turn implies the exercise of charity.”

Once again, this ordination class is characterized by quality, dedication and a deep sense of service. The priests and people of this diocese will be the beneficiaries of their wholehearted response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Lay Ecclesial Ministry

The building up of the Body of Christ is the task of the whole people of God. The lay mission is described in the documents of the Second Vatican Council “as a right and duty founded upon baptismal dignity.” The Council Fathers wrote that “within the ecclesial community, the laity offer invaluable assistance to the pastors ... in various fields: they carry out liturgical functions, participate in diocesan structures, various pastoral activities and parish catechetics.”

The lay faithful also have a distinctive role serving “on the front lines” in culture and society.

The Second Vatican Council Fathers described the lay apostolate in service across the vast horizon in society through the promotion of a just social order, participation in politics, the evangelization of culture and society and the exercise of citizenship to defend the freedom of religion.

The Diocese of Helena has taken seriously the call of the laity to serve in various ministries within the Church, as well as preparation to become “salt and light” in culture and society.

On March 24, 31 individuals received their certificates of completion of the Program of Formation for Lay Ministers. For the past two years, they met monthly for sessions on theology, Scripture, history of the Church, liturgy, catechetics and Church law.

Beginning this fall, Dr. Chris Fuller and the Carroll College theology faculty will coordinate the PFLM. The sessions will continue for two years and will be held at Blessed Trinity Parish in Missoula. John Fencik, director of Formation Services, is working on PFLM-2 sessions to provide additional training in discrete areas. These sessions will begin after the 2012-2014 PFLM session concludes.

The Liturgical Commission has made available formation and education opportunities for lay ministers involved in the liturgy, including musicians.

Conclusion

The Diocese of Helena has a long and impressive record of shared responsibility and collaborative efforts among priests, deacons and lay ecclesial ministries in our ardent desire to build up the Body of Christ and evangelize culture and society through the light of the Gospel.

As bishop of this local Church, I am grateful to God and to the men, women and youth who have taken so seriously their baptismal call, and have followed the voice of the Lord by full, active, conscious participation in the life of the Church.


Published in The Montana Catholic Online, Volume 28, No. 6, June 15, 2012.