We are all called to minister by serving God and others. However, some individuals are ordained and others are “lay leaders” in the Church. Both ordained and non-ordained ministries are vocations—a divine call to follow the voice of God in Christian service.

Ordained Ministry

Our parish is led by ordained priests and deacons, ordained by bishops who are a part of the apostolic tradition of the Catholic Church.

Ordination is the sacramental ceremony in which a man becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop.  This sacred ministry is rooted in the Apostolic Succession—which is why we profess our belief in the Apostolic Church when we pray the Creed—and gives “holy order” to the church. For example, a priest has the authority to proclaim the Gospel, administer the sacraments and carry out the pastoral direction of the faithful. The “ordering” the sacramental life of the parish is expressed most fully in the priest’s unique role in the celebration of the Eucharist, where he acts “in the person of Christ.”

Non-ordained Ministry

The non-ordained faithful have many opportunities to assist in parish ministry. For example, in the liturgy, the lay person may be a lector, a Eucharistic minister, an acolyte, or part of the choir. Of course, one can also be active by serving on the Parish Council, helping with religious education, visiting the sick, and other volunteer opportunities. It is important to remember that the role of the laity is essential to the life of the Church.