Lay Formation Institute

"The laity, by their very vocation, seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and by ordering them according to the plan of God…They live in the ordinary circumstances of family and social life, from which the very web of their existence is woven. They are called there by God that by exercising their proper function and led by the spirit of the Gospel they may work for the sanctification of the world from within as a leaven. In this way they may make Christ known to others, especially by the testimony of a life resplendent in faith, hope and charity. Therefore, since they are tightly bound up in all types of temporal affairs it is their special task to order and to throw light upon these affairs in such a way that they may come into being and then continually increase according to Christ to the praise of the Creator and the Redeemer." 
                                                                                                                   Lumen Gentium 31

The Lay Formation Institute (LFI) is an initiative of our diocese to provide quality spiritual, intellectual, and human formation to lay people. The inaugural program began in the fall of 2016 following the Church Fully Alive campaign under the direction of Bishop Gregory Parkes. This first cohort of the Lay Formation Institute concluded in May 2018 and a second cohort started formation in August 2018. Cohort two will finish their three year curriculum in May 2021. A third cohort of LFI will begin in August 2020 with a renewed focus on the vision of Lumen Gentium: to form laity for the sanctification of the world through their many different roles and duties.

Who should apply for the Lay Formation Institute?

Any layperson seeking to make Christ more present in their family, neighborhood, social circles, workplace, and local community should consider this opportunity. A good candidate would have a strong desire to build up God’s kingdom in places where official Church ministries often aren’t able to reach people. A good candidate would also be seeking more comprehensive understanding of the Church’s perspective on society. Finally, a good candidate would have a great hunger to develop a rich, well-rounded prayer life.

What’s the process like?

It is two and a half year process broken up into 3 cycles combining retreats, online formation courses through the University of Dayton Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF), and day long workshops with live presenters from both inside and outside our diocese. Participants will focus on deepening their prayer life, sharpening their understanding of Catholic theology in relation to the call of the laity, and growing in communion with others in the program. The curriculum is demanding but do-able for those in varying seasons of life, even those with full time jobs and/or young children at home.

What are the costs?

The cost of the workshops, University of Dayton courses, and other materials comes to a yearly total of $500 per individual participant. Yearly retreats will cost an additional $150 each participant.

What are the big goals for participants in the Lay Formation Institute?

The themes of the LFI change from year to year. The goal for the first cycle is to clarify participants' understanding of themselves as lay people in light of Church teaching and law. The laity's relationship to clergy, their specific mission to the world, and the unique spirituality that accompanies the lay mission will be the main topics in this cycle. The goal of the second cycle is to identify each participant's unique gifts and charisms and equip them with basic strategies for proclaiming the Gospel in the world. The goal of the third cycle is to provide participants with a comprehensive vision of how the world's affairs should be ordered according to the Compendium of  the Social Doctrine of the Church.