Lay Ministry, Chaplaincy & Parish Social Ministry
Frequently Asked Questions

Catholic Pastoral Centre
1155 Yonge Street, Suite 502
Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1W2
Tel: 416-934-3430; Fax: (416) 934-3431
email: layminst@archtoronto.org

Parish Social Ministry Workshop - May 24, 2008
Poster :: Registration Form

“KNOWING GOD BETTER”: A Series of 6 Evenings to Help Catholics Get More Out of the Faith
Poster :: Bulletin Announcement
FAQ's :: What are we trying to accomplish with this? :: Module 1 :: At the end of 6 weeks

Click here to view the October 2007 Lay Ministry Report Newsletter

Click here for messages, prayers and resources for the World Day of the Sick

Understanding the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
English :: French :: Italian :: Spanish :: Portuguese

Are You, or Someone You Love, Sick or in Hospital?
View our brochure with helpful information on your spiritual care.
English :: Chinese :: French :: Italian :: Polish :: Portuguese :: Spanish :: Printable Card Template for Families

General Overview

The Office of Lay Ministry and Chaplaincy exists to form, promote, and support all who engage in lay ministry. Our responsibility is specifically focused on those:

• who share their gifts with the parish community.
• full-time or part-time lay members of the pastoral team.
• in Chaplaincy services to healthcare institutions and correctional facilities.
• assisting communities to integrate the Church’s social mission into parish life.
• assisting parishes identify needs and develop resources to help parishioners fully live the Gospel.

Key areas include:

Lay Ministry - spiritual, theological and pastoral programmes of formation for parishioners involved in ministry; employment consultation for persons seeking positions in parishes and for pastors seeking to hire lay pastoral assistants; professional development and support for lay pastoral assistants; employment standards and recommended pay scales.

Chaplaincy - developing an approach to providing pastoral, spiritual and sacramental care to those in Health Care Institutions and in Correctional facilities, in collaboration with the Office of Deacons; ongoing consultation and support for chaplains; denominational endorsement for lay persons in training or seeking employment as chaplains, according to the standards of the Canadian Association for Pastoral Practice and Education.

Parish Social Ministry (PSM) - assistance with the development and ongoing facilitation of PSM within parishes; assistance to parishes in identifying social needs; provision of education, formation on Catholic social teaching; training resources on social analysis and support for continued networking and collaboration with agencies, schools and community groups.