The fourth offering of the Lay Pastoral Associate Formation Program will commence this September, 2017. This is a two-year formation program, consisting of ten monthly week-ends (from September to June) each year. These formation sessions will take place at the Marguerite Bourgeoys Centre in Summerside and are facilitated by Island priests, religious, and lay persons skilled in various areas of study and ministry.
The program is open to Catholic men, women, and couples. Candidates are selected by parishes in keeping with their pastoral priorities that need to be addressed. The program is an excellent opportunity for individuals to become more knowledgeable about their faith and to put their faith into action in various areas of parish ministry. Pastoral associates serve in areas such as: catechetics, adult faith formation, grief ministry, outreach to the poor and those on the periphery, youth and young adult ministry, refugee sponsorship and addressing other social justice issues and so on. In doing so, pastoral associates help to fulfill the missionary dynamic of parish life.
Individuals who are interested to know more about the program should speak to their pastor. Alternatively, individuals can get in touch with the Diocesan Centre in Charlottetown at 1-902-368-8005 and via e-mail: rc@dioceseofcharlottetown.com.
Note: The deadline for nomination of candidates for the fourth offering of the program is, Friday, June 16, 2017.