2009 - 2010

Weekend sessions are Friday 7 pm to Saturday 7 pm

September 11 - 12     October 9 – 10     November 13 – 14     December 11 – 12

January 15 – 16    February 12 – 13    March 12 – 13    April 16 – 17

May 14 – 15     June 11 – 12

The Ministries programme is a course of academic study and practical formation for ministry.  On successful completion of this three year programme (or its equivalent over a longer period) the student receives a Certificate in Ministries.  This recognizes that the student has undergone an intellectual, pastoral and spiritual formation for the service of the Catholic community.  An additional period of ongoing formation and discernment is required for the candidates to the Diocesan Order of Service (D.O.S.) or to the Diaconate.  Graduates are encouraged to be life-long learners.

INTELLECTUAL:  This entails the study of Scripture, Tradition and Theology with the guidance of the Builders of the New Earth texts.  Those in ongoing formation and discernment will be given additional learning opportunities.

PASTORAL:  This involves active participation in ministries in the student's local parish as well as "hands on" workshops at the Anishinabe Spiritual Centre.

SPIRITUAL:  This requires the accompaniment of a spiritual companion and input from a spiritual director to aid discernment of future choices and calling in ministry.

Those applying to follow the Ministries Programme are asked to obtain the approval of their Pastor and Parish Pastoral Council.  The local church should contribute to the expenses incurred as necessary.

Of those who have received the Certificate in Ministries, some may be called to serve as Deacons or in the Diocesan Order of Service (D.O.S.).  These people will undergo an additional period of discernment , study and pastoral formation.

Deacons are men 35 years of age or older who are ordained as clerics in the Catholic Church.  They can be married men.  They proclaim the Gospel, baptize, celebrate the Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion.

Those in the Diocesan Order of Service (D.O.S.) are men or women who carry out the ministries of acolyte and lector and other ministries necessary to the life a church community.  They are mandated by the Bishop for ongoing service and are publicly recognized as trustworthy in ministry.