New “Leader of Prayer” Class

to begin in July

Applications are now open for a new class of men and women who wish to serve as Leaders of Prayer for the Diocese of La Crosse. This is a three-part course of study (meeting Friday evening-Saturday, July 10-11, Aug. 7-8, Sept. 18-19) by which lay persons are prepared and commissioned to serve their parishes by bringing Holy Communion to the sick; conducting a Liturgy of the Word, possibly with distribution of Communion, on weekdays when a priest is unavailable (or on Sunday in an emergency); and by leading parishioners in prayer at times of illness or death. In nursing homes or healthcare facilities, when no priest is available, they may also conduct a Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest.

Completion of the Lay Formation Institute (formerly Lay Ministry) is a prerequisite for acceptance into the Leader of Prayer program. In addition, candidates must be sponsored by their pastors. The fee is $450, which includes overnight accommodations, meals and books. The ritual books are expensive—if these are available to the applicant the cost will be discounted proportionately. For more information, contact Christopher Ruff, S.T.L., Director of the Office of Ministries and Social Concerns at (608) 791-2667, or cruff@dioceseoflacrosse.com.

Click HERE for the 2009 Leader of Prayer Application