Office of Lay Ministry

Vickie Albro, Support Staff Office of Lay Ministry

   Office Mission

The mission statement developed for the Office of Lay Ministry at its inception states:

  "We believe that each of us, empowered by Baptism and Confirmation, shares in building the Kingdom of God through Word, Worship and Service.  The Diocesan Office of Lay Ministry cooperates in this mission, in coordination with other diocesan offices, by providing lay persons with faith education/formation and skills training for a fuller participation in ministry within their local parish communities."

• Programs of Formation, Workshops and Consultation

  (Click on the highlighted items below for more information)
   

  Tempus - What is Tempus?
                  Tempus is a 2 year diocesan foundational faith formation program for lay men and
                  women who desire background, knowledge and insight into their Catholic faith.
                  This program assists Catholics in sharing their ministry gifts with their parish 
                  communities. 

   

                  Topics studied include: Old and New Testaments; the Creed; Church – History,
                  Structures, Teachings, Law and Vatican II Documents; Spirituality, Prayer, Liturgy and 
                  Sacraments; Morality; Catholic Social Tradition; Ecumenism and World Religions;
                  Religion and Culture; Ministry, Leadership and Communication Skills; and Personal
                  Development.
  
  
  Kairos - The Kairos program offers adult lay people the opportunity to deepen growth 
                    begun previously through Tempus
                             
                                         
                    KAIROS Workshops are offered in each Vicariate for all interested adults.  KAIROS
                   offers adult lay people the opportunity to continue their education, and to extend and

                   deepen their growth in the Catholic faith. 
   

Lay Ecclesial Ministry Certificate Program through the University of Great Falls (UGF)

 ►Preparing one for parish ministry
        click here for information regarding classes in 2010

Montana Association of Churches (MAC) Lay Ministry Institute

►Ecumenical Program training for lay leaders in rural communities

                    

Thieltges Grants- offered annually to lay ministers through the diocese for continued training
                                 click here for a list of Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 Parishes and Schools

Quotes from past Recipients of Thieltges Grants

Other Offerings by the Office of Lay Ministry

►Lay Preacher's Continuing Education
►Small Faith Sharing Communities
►Education Commission Consultation
►Parish, faculty, staff and group retreats 

Documents:
 

• Guidelines For Lay Preaching 
  
• Lay Preaching in the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings (Clarification Document)

Check out this resource for Lay Ministers

 Catholic Campus Ministry, Billings, MT