MINNESOTA CATHOLIC EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
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Lay Ecclesial Minister Certification |
Printable Lay Ministry Certification Program forms and materials are now available.
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MCEA Lay Minister Certification Application MCEA Certification Reference Form Initial Certification Group Timeline
Overview
Since 1997, the Minnesota Catholic Education Association (MCEA) through its Certification Committee, has been working to develop a common certification for lay ecclesial ministers in the state of Minnesota meeting one of the objectives of the MCEA Forum which is to promote and advocate for life-long learning of Catholic adults, especially those responsible for faith formation in parishes and schools. Certification will serve to establish a consistent standard of quality among faith formation ministers and work to ensure that our parishes (children, youth, adults, and families) benefit from the leadership of trained, competent and capable adult faith formation leaders.
The role of the State MCEA Certification Committee has been to develop the certification procedures for submission to the Arch/Bishops of the arch/dioceses in the State of Minnesota and to the USCCB Commission on Certification and Accreditation. Once all parties approve the certification procedures, the State MCEA Certification Committee will transform into the MCEA State Certification Review Board, which will oversee all activities related to certification by the MCEA.
JoAnn Borchert - Diocese of New Ulm, Bill Casey - Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis, Sharon Horgan - Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis, Jeff Kaster - St. John's University, Brenda Kresky, - Diocese of St. Cloud, Sr. Pat Murphy – Diocese of Crookston, Peter Noll - MCEA, Mark Nuehring - Diocese of Winona, Cynthia Zook- Diocese of Duluth, and Charlotte McCorquodale, MCEA Certification Consultant.
Benefits of Certification
Upon final approval, certification will provide distinct benefits for lay ministers and the communities they serve. Common certification will benefit the Church at large by utilizing nationally approved certification standards for lay ecclesial ministers in a process that provides both diocesan and statewide certification. It will provide clear and uniform standards for ministry formation and allow dioceses to respond to the continuing educational needs of critical parish ministers. Certification will ensure a high quality of ministry in parishes across the state and demonstrate that ministers are trained and professionally recognized as competent.
Resources
Once the certification process is formally approved, resources will be made available to interested parties. Resources will include sample job descriptions, codes of ethics, handbooks, assessment tools and contact information related to relevant programs offered through Minnesota's Catholic Colleges and Universities.
