Partners-in-Ministry
A Shared Vision of Ministry
in the Society of Saint Edmund
John Paul II in his Apostolic Exhortation, Christifideles Laici speaks of the church as being on the brink of a new missionary frontier. He writes, ÒThe new missionary frontier involves not going off to new continents, but rather a new effort of re-evangelization that will employ a mature and responsible lay faithful.Ó As we Edmundite Fathers and Brothers review our charism of evangelization we recognize this new Òmissionary frontierÓ and respond to the Holy Father's call by involving the laity in our Edmundite charism.
The
local church is beginning to explore areas of collaborative ministry.
Collaborative ministry is leading the way to a new style of church. It invites
all the people of God to work together in ministry to build a shared vision of
church. Religious communities are also exploring ways in which to involve the
laity in a shared vision of mission.
Edmundites see mission as mission-in-solidarity. Edmundites intend to establish
structures, which will sustain the charism of the Society of Saint Edmund even
when Edmundites are absent. Partners-in-Ministry contributes to the SocietyÕs plan for
solidarity-in-mission.
While the charism of evangelization is the SocietyÕs specific gift to the church, it need not be the exclusive possession of the Society of St. Edmund. In our present history as church, the Spirit is calling forth the talents and gifts of laywomen and laymen for the mission of the church. The Edmundite Community, in responding to the needs of our church and the workings of the Spirit, desires to share its charism and ministry of evangelization with the laity. This collaborative ministry will not only empower us as religious to be more effective in our mission but will empower the laity to use their gifts and talents for the building up of God's kingdom. This collaborative effort invites those who already support and participate in our apostolates to join with us in a ministerial role of building a shared vision of church.
Mission
Partners-in-Ministry is an association of laywomen and laymen joined in partnership with the Society of St. Edmund and participating in the Edmundite charism and ministry of evangelization.
Relationship to the Edmundite Community
Partnership
suggests an equal sense of ownership and responsibility for the Edmundite
charism. The Edmundite charism of evangelization is what we do together and own
together as lay people and religious. In this partnership the emphasis is on
shared responsibility and mutual ministry. There is a real respect for each
person's gifts, a common objective and goals to which all strive. For the
Edmundite Community this means willingness on our part to let go of our
traditional roles of ministry and leadership and to commit ourselves to a
collaborative effort in which dreams, vision, hopes and experiences are shared.
Ministries
The commitment of Partners-in-Ministry is not to any particular apostolate of the Society of St. Edmund but to its charism. Partners ought to be recognized as "Edmundite" lay ministers bringing the "Edmundite" gift to the church. The Edmundite community will provide meaningful collaborative ministries in which Partners can exercise their gifts sad talents.
Spirituality
A spirituality that underpins collaborative ministry needs to be integrated with the ecclesiology presented in Vatican II by focusing on: (1) the dignity of every person, (2) the discovery of Christ's presence in the community and the individual, (3) the shared responsibility for the mission of the church, (4) the work of God's Spirit that generates communion, (5) the communion created by living the word of God and (6) the realization of communion through the celebration of the Eucharist. This spiritual foundation will help foster co-operation, co-responsibility and communion among all those engaged in this Edmundite enterprise.
In this developing model of collaborative ministry the mutual dignity of women and men engaged in ministry needs to be promoted. Spiritual leadership and the role of presider, leading the assembly in prayer, praise, proclamation, and petition should be shared so as to promote the dignity of all.
Training
The Society of St. Edmund, in its Constitution, recognizes the responsibility of preparing lay people for roles of leadership in the church. In preparing Partners-in-Ministry for their ministry in the Edmundite charism there is a need for an integrated program of formation that would equip Partners to deal with their time, talents and resources. Three components necessary in this formation program are theological foundation, spiritual growth and the development of personal skills. Edmundites should not only provide training to Partners-in-Ministry but should be actively involved as participants in the formation process. Formation, education and the exercise of responsibility need to be the result of mutually beneficial interaction between Edmundites and Partners.
Leadership
A
collaborative model of leadership promotes a sharing of authority, accountability
and labor. This leadership style encourages a commitment to minister together.
One of the chief responsibilities of Edmundite Fathers and Brothers in the
decades just ahead will be to facilitate the smooth collaboration of such lay
ministers in the apostolic works of the church. Edmundites help identify, call, train, encourage and support
Partners-in-Ministry in the new ministries of our changing Church.
For more information
For more information about becoming an Edmundite Partners-in-Ministry contact
Fr. Marcel Rainville, S.S.E.
Saint Michael's College
P.O. Box 272 - One Winooski Park
Colchester, VT 05439-0272
802 654-2386