Parish Leadership
Serving the Church and Her Mission
"All Ministry finds its place within the communion of the Church and serves the mission of Christ in the Spirit." (Co-Workers)
In the Diocese of Portland, the staff of the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation (OLFF), serves all those called to parish leadership and ministry as Parish Life Coordinators, Parish Catechetical Leaders, Youth Ministers, Catechists, Evangelization, Adult Faith Formation, RCIA, Marriage and Baptism Prep leaders and team. Refer to Pathways for Formation and Certification of Catechists and Catechetical Leaders for information about four levels of service - basic catechist, advanced catechist, basic leader, advanced leader - and the associated expectations for formation.
Jesus came to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God, a reign of holiness, love, truth, justice and peace, and to initiate that kingdom in his own person by his death and resurrection. This is the Good News that the Church proclaims. Joining in God's work of bringing this Kingdom to realization is the mission of the whole Church, the people of God, which is on earth, "the seed and beginning of the kingdom." (LG 5)
Through baptism, we put on Christ and become members of his body, Confirmation bestows on us the gifts of the Holy Spirit to spread the faith, and Eucharist nourishes us to carry out the mission of the Church. Through these sacraments of initiation, we are all called into the fullness of Christ's mission to celebrate, proclaim, and serve the reign of God. Together with our bishop, priests, and deacons we are co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord.
The Church is the communion of those called by Christ to be his disciples. Discipleship is the fundamental vocation in which the Church's mission and ministry find full meaning. The Church exists to continue Christ's work of salvation by proclaiming and celebrating the Good News of God's saving presence thorugh word and sacraments. All of the faithful are called in various ways to share in this mission, announcing God's love and saving grace which transforms the world in Christ. Some respond to this call through active ministry in their parish as staff or volunteers.
For more information on Lay Leadership in Evangelization and Catechesis
Read:
Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord
Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity (Apostolicam Actuositatem)
On Mission and Vocation of the Lay Faithful (Christifideles laici)
National Competency Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministry download
Visit:
National Community of Catechetical Leaders (NCCL)
National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM)
National Association of Lay Ministry (NALM)
