The Volunteer Ministry Institute: A Process of Formation for Volunteers in Ministry

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to respond to an urgent need within the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. Over several years an attempt had been made to provide an umbrella (i.e. diocesan standard) formation program for parish volunteers engaged in various pastoral and liturgical ministries. This effort appeared to reach fruition as "The Volunteer Ministry Institute" when the part-time employed Coordinator resigned. Shortly thereafter, during a review of annual budget priorities, it was determined that the Coordinator position could no longer be funded by the Diocese. A promising program appeared to be at its end. The present endeavor is an attempt to resolve this situation. It encompasses a three phase plan, of which the first phase - development of an Individual Handbook for Formation - is addressed in this writing.