By John Fencik, Director
Catholic Formation Services

Without a doubt, one of the most striking changes in the Church following Vatican Council II was the increased involvement of our lay men and women in so many areas of the mission of the Church. Although there already were opportunities for lay service prior to the council, the areas for ministry increased incredibly post-1965. Some see this as a result of the vocation shortage, while others see it as a natural result of the council’s “call” for the laity to assume the responsibilities that flow from baptism. The ministry and service of countless people, paid and volunteer, among the laity continue to touch lives—from our children to our elderly.

The Diocese of Helena recognized the need for an educational program that would help the laity learn more about the Catholic faith and prepare for ministry opportunities within the diocese and/or parish. The Program of Formation for Lay Ministers (established in 1982) begins another twoyear cohort the weekend of Sept. 17-18 at St. Ann Parish in Butte. The PFLM involves the commitment of 16 weekends over a two-year period. It immerses participants in theological reflection on a number of topics, such as Old Testament and New Testament studies, ecclesiology, Christology, canon law, moral theology, social justice and Church history, to name a few. The offerings are given by a variety of presenters, including members of the outstanding Theology Department at Carroll College.

The PFLM seeks to not only provide a strong adult education opportunity, but also to increase the depth and quality of one’s spiritual relationship with Christ and the Church. It lays a solid foundation for participants to prepare for the many possibilities of service within one’s faith community.

The PFLM reminds all adults, especially parents, of the continual need for renewal and for growth in our knowledge of the faith, so that our relationship with the Lord becomes more personal and more community conscious. The adult Church has both a serious obligation and a vested interest in assuring that our children, teens and young adults know the faith and thus know the Lord. It is a serious obligation that comes from our own baptism. We must be lights to our youth in the dark “culture of death” in which they are growing up. We must be the salt of the earth for them, both to teach them what is the true “flavor” of real happiness (found only in Christ) and to prevent them from enduring a life of insipid boredom, which often is all this world can offer. We also have a vested interest in their spiritual lives, because they are both the present and future of the Church. They will inherit from us the mission of Jesus Christ and his Church—to bring all people to know the Gospel message, to know of the love and mercy of our Heavenly Father and to grasp more deeply how this Trinitarian God desires a personal relationship with each one of us.

Yet how can the adult Church fulfill all of this without making both intellectual and spiritual growth in the faith a priority in both our personal and familial lives? How can we lead our children and young adults to that deeper relationship without our own commitment to the Eucharist and to developing a life of prayer? Many of us may feel inadequate or that our own experience in religious education was wanting. Even more, then, must we make use of opportunities to learn or to become what we already are—disciples.

Perhaps it is time to break open God’s Word in the Bible. Or read a book on spirituality or the biography of a saint. Or make plans to be involved in a diocesan or parish educational/spiritual opportunity, such as a lecture or a parish mission. There was a time when the parish was the center of people’s lives in many ways. That may not be true today, but Christ still is the Lord of all creation and the Lord of all time. His invitation in faith to know, love, and minister in his name is as relevant today as ever.

If you are still interested the PFLM, please contact me at 442-5820; it’s not too late.


John Fencik, director of Catholic Formation Services for the Diocese of Helena, may be reached at jfencik@diocesehelena.org.


Published in The Montana Catholic Online, Volume 26, No. 9, September 17, 2010.