Lay ministry continues to grow

	WARM WELCOME: Green Bay Auxiliary Bp. Robert Morneau, pastor of Resurrection Parish, greets Rick McCord, executive director of the USCCB Secretariat for Family, Laity, Women and Youth, at the Co-workers in the Vineyard workshop, where McCord was the keynote speaker. (Rick Evans photo)

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

The number of laity serving in ministry in the Catholic Church continues to grow.

According to a 2005 survey conducted by the National Pastoral Life Center, more than 30,000 lay ministers are working in parishes nationwide, an increase of 53 % since 1990.

This growth prompted the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to release the document Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord. Approved in November of 2005, the document is designed to serve as a reference for the development of lay ecclesial ministry. Unlike recent USCCB documents about priestly formation and the ministry of permanent deacons, Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord does not propose norms. Instead, it suggests strategies and resources for local integration of lay ecclesial ministers within ministry structures in dioceses. Last week, workshops were offered at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Green Bay, and St. Patrick Parish in Menasha to study the document and explore its implications in the Diocese of Green Bay.   Full story ...

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 • Bp. Zubik asks area elected officials to reject immigration initiatives
    Green Bay city council tables initiative, but it could come up again
    Sidebar: Bishop's statement

Sixth Sunday of Easter
• Reflection on the Readings     by Auxiliary Bishop Morneau --     The gift of peace is grounded in love  • Explaining the Scripture     by Fr. Michael Stubbs --     Our connection to Christ brings life		2007 Wish List Lenten Giving/Easter Joy Wish List (from Feb. 23, 2007 issue)

 • Bridging the Gap by Bishop David Zubik --Bridging the Gap: 'Toe to toe'

 • Reflection on the Readings by Auxiliary Bishop Morneau --
    for May 13, 2007: The gift of peace is grounded in love

 • Explaining the Scripture by Fr. Michael Stubbs --
    for May 13, 2007: Our connection to Christ brings life

 • Editorial -- Gripping reality
    Personal account of Rwandan genocide shows what happened, power
    of forgiving

 • Editorial -- Another Lenten delight
    Venezuelans enjoy eating their Friday 'fish'

 • Foundations of Faith -- Who's who among the saints' statues
    Without photos, symbols tell us which saint we're seeing

 • Saint of the Day -- This saint gave up being a bishop for solitude
    John wouldn't let others know he was a priest after that

 • Praying with Sunday's Scriptures

 • Calendar of events

Sharing Our Faith   Articles on 2007 Bishop's Appeal • New team members seek to enhance Education in diocese (Mar. 30, 2007) • Church beckons after careers in business (Mar. 23, 2007) • TV Mass attracts faith-filled, loyal audience (Mar. 16, 2007) • Church of Green Bay to grow by 266 at Easter (Mar. 9, 2007) • Catholic Charities uses 'hands-on' approach to spread Gospel (Mar. 2, 2007) • Tigerton area parishes believe in youth ministry (Feb. 23, 2007) • Stewardship plan rests on foundation of prayer, service (Feb. 16, 2007) • Bishop's Appeal calls Catholics to stewardship (Feb. 9, 2007)    Pie chart of Bishop's Appeal use    Sidebar: Advancing the Mission update    Sidebar: 2007 Bishop's Appeal facts