BRISBANE archdiocese is trialling a new program to empower parishioners to take a greater role in ministry.
The program, tentatively called ‘Serving God’s People with Gladness’, is a joint initiative of the archdiocese’s Office for Lay Pastoral Ministry and Brisbane Catholic Education’s Faith Education Services.
It is being trialled at a parish level in Beaudesert and at a deanery level in Redland-Bayside at Capalaba.
Office for Lay Pastoral Ministry director, Ursuline Sister Anne Surtees, said the program was being developed in response to the changing needs and demands of leadership in parishes.
Archbishop John Bathersby also referred to the need for such a program in his promulgation of the priorities from Synod 2003.
The program will be nationally accredited and will have two levels – Certificate 3 for people wanting to become more involved in the life of the parish and Certificate 4 for those preparing for leadership roles in areas such as sacramental and Rite of Christian Initation of Adults (RCIA) programs and ministry to the sick.
Sr Surtees said the aim was to offer parishioners a foundation for lay ministry.
The program would be offered in regions and in deaneries.
Beaudesert, which has several communities in surrounding rural and mountain areas, hosted its first session recently and 20 people attended.
It will have its second session on April 18, and the first session at Capalaba will be on April 17.
It is hoped the Certificate 3 program will be available throughout the archdiocese next year.
