Diocese of La Crosse

Lay Formation Institute

- Now Taking Applications for 2009-2011 Cycle -

Attention School Teachers, DRE’s, CRE’s, Youth Ministers & Catechists:

This Program Qualifies for Advanced Certification

Mission

The mission of the Lay Formation Institute, or LFI (formerly Lay Ministry), is to help lay men and women to deepen their knowledge of the Faith and develop their pastoral abilities, so that they may answer with confidence the call of the Second Vatican Council to spread the Gospel in word and deed, acting as a leaven in their parishes and in the world.  This is all the more vital if they serve the Church in some official capacity.

Format

The program consists of classes that meet one weekend per month (Friday evening to Saturday evening), September through May, for two years at St. Anthony’s Retreat Center in Marathon.  A new cycle is begun every two years.  The curriculum covers such areas as:

Specialized Tracks

At the end of the two-year cycle, a “Leadership in Christ” weekend is devoted to specialized tracks focusing in more depth on areas of practical, pastoral service.  Each participant is invited to select among these tracks, which include such areas as:

Registration for the “Leadership in Christ” weekend is also open to diocesan catechists and directors of religious education, because the presentations can benefit them as well.

Please note that completion of the Lay Formation Institute is a normal prerequisite for diocesan Leader of Prayer training. A significant number of LFI graduates go on to become Leaders of Prayer for their parishes.   

Spiritual and Community Formation

The goal of the Lay Formation Institute is to address not only the academic and practical formation of its participants, but their spiritual and community formation as well.  For this reason, the program includes:

• Morning Mass on all the Saturdays, with LFI students assisting in the liturgies (Christopher Carstens, Director of the Office of Sacred Worship, is present each weekend to assist with liturgical formation).
• Liturgy of the Hours prayed each morning and evening on the weekends
• Other devotions
• Shared meals and social time

These aspects develop the spirituality of the participants and foster bonds of friendship that endure well beyond the conclusion of the program.

Continuing Education

Periodic continuing education seminars are offered to LFI graduates within the Diocese.  They are also encouraged to continue their personal development with the help of a spiritual director and participation in retreats.

Entrance Requirements

Candidates may apply from any parish or religious institution of the Diocese of La Crosse (with a maximum of three from any one parish).  A candidate must be a practicing Catholic and be recommended by his or her pastor.  Participants typically are sponsored by their parishes in exchange for a commitment to provide service to the parish.  The cost for the Lay Formation Institute is $750 per person per year, which covers all tuition, books, overnight accommodations and meals*. 

How to Apply

Anyone interested in enrolling in the Lay Formation Institute should speak first with their pastor.  They may then call the Office of Ministries at 608-791-2664 or send an email indicating their interest to cruff@dioceseoflacrosse.com.  Feel free to contact the Office of Ministries with any questions.  Please note that space in the Lay Formation Institute is limited and applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.  The next two-year cycle will begin in the fall of 2009. Click HERE for the LFI Application.

LFI Participant Comments:

“The Mass has come alive for me.  My parish family is closer to my heart, and I have a much deeper appreciation of the sacraments….  I can become so impassioned.  So much has ‘fallen into place’ that I now feel comfortable discussing and sharing my faith confidently.”

(Catechist, Parish Religious Education).

“How abundant our faith, how merciful my God!  It’s like I’ve been in a dark room and someone lit a match.  The match lit a candle—I look forward to the electricity to see the whole room!  Thank you, thank you, to all who are taking the time to teach me.”

(RCIA and Adult Education Team Member, Parish Deanery Representative for Justice and Peace)

*Each year, the gifts of many to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal in the Diocese of La Crosse help support the Lay Formation Institute, keeping tuition costs modest for both parishes and individuals.