Looking at a confused and hurting world, Jesus “said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.’” Jesus then gave authority to the twelve apostles, the first bishops, and sent them to minister to the people (Mt 9:37-10:15). After the apostles returned, Jesus sent out an additional seventy-two disciples, including lay people (Lk 10:1). 

 

The answer to prayer for laborers is Jesus inviting both clergy and laity to share in His mission. Pope St. John Paul II said that through our “union with Christ,” we “become a ‘sacrament’ for humanity, a sign and instrument of the salvation achieved by Christ…” (Ecclesiae de Eucharistia 22).

 

Our desire for happiness, meaning and ultimate purpose are as urgent today as they were in Jesus’ day. We live in a world desperate to know God’s restorative love, and desperate for laborers. Just as in the Gospels, Jesus is inviting clergy and lay people to go into the world as laborers.

 

This does not just apply to some. We are all sent on a mission. Each Mass ends with the priest sending us out to transform the world. Our role is critical. St. Paul reminds us that the salvation of others is dependent on us sharing Jesus with them. “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent?” (Rm 10: 13-15).

 

This is both an awesome and terrifying call — something many of us try to avoid, citing lack of knowledge or skills. God does not call us because we possess any great skills or knowledge. He calls us because of His love and desire to invite us to be His “coworkers” in salvation (1 Cr 3:9). It is a dignity

 He imparts to us because of who He is, not because of what we can do. It is often said that “God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” In other words, He gives us what we need to accomplish His will. As with all graces from God, we must nurture and cooperate with them. We need to prayerfully seek how and to whom He is sending us. 

 

As Jesus prepared the disciples before sending them out, we need to allow God to form us. Many parishes offer training for service in a ministry. Additionally, in partnership with parishes, the Diocese of Rockford’s Catholic Education Office offers the Ministry Formation Program: a two-year program that focuses on empowering participants to confidently and faithfully serve as lay ministers. In this time, we explore the truth and beauty of our faith, learn practical ministerial skills, and seek to pastorally and faithfully respond to the challenges of our modern world. 

 

This process is called formation because it is not just adult education; it forms the whole person. Participants are invited to grow in the Christian life: spiritually, morally, intellectually and pastorally. The goal is to form effective servant leaders who love Christ and His people. 

 

Sessions meet about twice a month with English sessions offered in Aurora, Crystal Lake, Lena, and Rockford. Spanish sessions are offered in Aurora and Belvidere. 

 

Ours is a hurting and confused world in need of laborers. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (Jn 20:21). God is sending you as the answer to the Church’s prayer for laborers. Let us praise God for inviting us to be part of His plan of salvation and prayerfully consider: is Ministry Formation a part of that calling for you?

 

Ministry Formation Orientation is Saturday, Aug. 19. For more information, to see video testimonials, or to register, visit our website: ceorockford.org/ministry-formation-program/ or, give us a call at 815-399-4300.