Laity is caring for souls

Dallas Morning News ^ | 2/15/2005 | Brian Schmisek

[sinkspur]

While I share some of the general frustration that apparently motivated Rod Dreher's Viewpoints column last Wednesday, I cannot agree with his statement, "We Catholic men ... are a pretty contemptible lot these days." Or that Catholic men are as docile as eunuchs.

I believe there is more for "real Catholic men" to do than "knock as many heads as we have to." Sniping from the sidelines contributes little real value to the pastoral care of souls.

Two Dallas-area priests are no longer at their parishes functioning as pastors: one resigned, the other was jailed. Together, these two parishes have an average Sunday attendance of more than 3,000.

Who will now serve these parishes and the thousands of people who worship there? Does Dallas – or any diocese in the nation for that matter – have an abundance of qualified priests ready to step in and assume these duties? I think not. The "priest shortage" has been in the news for years.

In the short term, however, Rockwall has a pastoral assistant who is a laywoman. She will graduate with a master's degree in pastoral ministry from our Institute for Religious and Pastoral Studies at the University of Dallas. The director of religious education at Immaculate Conception in Grand Prairie is a degree-seeking student at our institute. The Institute for Religious and Pastoral Studies is a graduate program in ministry whereby laypeople learn the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective, competent ministers in the church. Our graduates serve in a variety of ways in most diocesan parishes after participating in quality theological and pastoral formation and education programs.

[AlbionGirl]

In the short term, however, Rockwall has a pastoral assistant who is a laywoman. She will graduate with a master's degree in pastoral ministry from our Institute for Religious and Pastoral Studies at the University of Dallas. The director of religious education at Immaculate Conception in Grand Prairie is a degree-seeking student at our institute. The Institute for Religious and Pastoral Studies is a graduate program in ministry whereby laypeople learn the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective, competent ministers in the church. Our graduates serve in a variety of ways in most diocesan parishes after participating in quality theological and pastoral formation and education programs.

Thought you might be interested in reading this article. Struck me with a pang and foreboding.