Grace and peace in the name of Our Lord, Jesus Christ!  And welcome to our home on the web. 

 It is a privilege to be able to share with you information about the programs we offer that help prepare lay women and men for church ministry.  The Archdiocese of Chicago is committed to the empowerment of laity for church service and our programs give substance to that commitment.

 We are truly experiencing a new moment in the life of the Church.  Laity are being called forth in unprecedented numbers to join clergy and religious in the work of parish and diocesan ministry.  Perhaps you are one of those people.  Browse through our pages and read about what we have to offer.  Perhaps here you will find what you have been looking for.  Or maybe here will be the beginning of a call you have not previously heard. 

 Many roads can lead to the same destination.  Your path has been unique, but here you are where many others, different from yourself, have also come to find how best to use their gifts.  More than 1700 women and men have participated in our programs over the past twenty-plus years.

 It is people like you that make our programs the exciting opportunities they are.  You will learn much in these programs.  You will grow and you will change.  If you are not seeking transformation, go no further.  But if you are open to the power of God “making all things new”—including YOU, then spend some prayerful time here.

 Besides reading, we invite you to pray—both with us and for us.

 Pray with us that God’s will for YOUR life will be made clear and that the ways God wants to use you to further the work of the Kingdom will become ever more apparent to you.

Pray for us that all we do will serve those who come to us, helping them to grow in their love of the Lord and making them more confident and competent for service in the church.

 God is alive, pursuing us like a lover pursues a beloved.  If you hear God calling you, we are here to help you answer.

 Thank you for spending some of your precious time with us.