The Diocesan School stands ready to assist Rectors in preparing lay persons for Licensed Lay Ministries. These ministries are very important for the spiritual development and growth of our parishes. They are licensed to respond to the sensitive nature of the ministry, to provide accurate and well-grounded information to other members of the parish, and to offer the appropriate education to perform the ministry.
Licensed Lay Ministries (Constitution and Canons, Title III, Section 4)
A confirmed communicant in good standing or, in extraordinary circumstances, subject to guidelines established by the Bishop, a communicant in good standing, may be licensed by the Ecclesiastical Authority to serve as Pastoral Leader, Worship Leader, Preacher, Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor, or Catechist.
The Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith may request the Ecclesiastical Authority with jurisdiction to license persons within that congregation or other community of faith to exercise such ministries.
A person licensed in any Diocese under the provisions of this Canon may serve in another congregation or other community of faith in the same or another Diocese only at the invitation of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight; and with the consent of the Ecclesiastical Authority in whose jurisdiction the service will occur.
Eucharistic Visitor
According to Title III, Canon 4, Sec. 7 A Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person authorized to take the Consecrated Elements in a timely manner following a Celebration of Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present at the Celebration. A Eucharistic Visitor should normally act under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
Eucharistic Visitor Training
With the approval of the Bishop of our Diocese, and because of distance within the Diocese, the cost of travel, and other considerations, a new training process for Eucharistic Visitors has been developed, which includes standardized training materials used for consistency throughout the Diocese. The standardized materials are available through each of the Diocesan Deaneries and also may be downloaded through our web site here. In addition, a DVD entitled “With Burning Hearts: A Meditation on the Eucharistic Life” by Henri Nowen is available through each Deanery for inclusion in the standardized training. Any questions may be addressed by email to the Diocesan School at pamela165@comcast.net or by calling the Diocesan School office at 561-254-4548.
There are two ways in which a Eucharistic Visitor may be trained:
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The Rector of any parish may train Eucharistic Visitors, provided the standardized training materials are used for consistency throughout the Diocese. A rector may schedule the one-day training session at the convenience of the parish. Upon completion, the rector may then recommend the trainees to the Bishop for licensing.
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The Deaneries have been asked to establish Eucharistic Visitor training events on a deanery-wide basis. These one-day events will be publicized throughout the Deaneries and the standardized training materials will be used for consistency throughout the Diocese.
License Renewal training is no longer required for Eucharistic Visitors
Eucharistic Visitors, who have served for three years as a Eucharistic Visitor, will no longer be required to attend a license renewal training program. Eucharistic Visitors in good standing, who continue to function in their ministry under the supervision of their rector, may be recommended to the Bishop for license renewal every three years.
The Diocesan School will offer Eucharistic Visitor training in Spanish, initially in the Dade County area. Dates will be announced.
There will be no license renewal training program. Eucharistic Visitors, in good standing, who continue to function in their ministry under the supervision of their rector, may be recommended to the Bishop for license renewal every three years.
The Diocesan School may on occasion offer a voluntary refresher experience which will be publicized prior to its offering.
Other Lay Ministries
Training for the Lay Ministries of Pastoral Leader, Worship Leader, Preacher, Eucharistic Minister, Catechist, and Bible Study Leader is the responsibility of the local Rector or Deacon. To assist Rectors in determining the appropriate requirements for licensed ministries in their parishes, the Diocesan School Board has prepared a list of courses offered by the Diocesan School that Rectors may wish to use when considering a layperson for a licensed ministry. These Diocesan School courses are only suggestions and are offered as a service to Rectors. Some suggested courses may not be applicable in particular circumstances; additional courses may be helpful in other cases.
Courses for Lay Ministries
Information about recommended courses for Licensed Lay Ministries, available through the Diocesan School, may be found in the Diocesan School Manual at pages 28 and 29, including for Pastoral Leader, Worship Leader, Lay Preacher, Eucharistic Minister, Catechist, and Bible Study Leader. You can download the latest version of the Diocesan School manual by clicking the icon on the top right of this page (or at the bottom on your phone/tablet.) The manual is available in Adobe .pdf format.