Leader of Prayer 2023
New Leader of Prayer Class
Begins in July 2023
July 8
July 29
August 25-26
All classes held at Holy Cross Diocesan Center, La Crosse
Applications (see the link below) for a new class of men and women who wish to serve as Leaders of Prayer for the Diocese of La Crosse. This is a three-part course of study by which lay persons are prepared and commissioned to serve their parishes by bringing Holy Communion to the sick; conducting a Liturgy of the Word, possibly with distribution of Communion, on weekdays when a priest is unavailable (or on Sunday in an emergency); and by leading parishioners in prayer at times of illness or death. In nursing homes or healthcare facilities, when no priest is available, they may also conduct a Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest. Click here to see a copy of the Revised Norms for Leaders of Prayer in the Diocese of La Crosse.
Completion of the Lay Formation Institute is a prerequisite for acceptance into the Leader of Prayer program. In addition, candidates must be sponsored by their pastors. The fee is $600, unless some of the ritual books are available to you from the parish or other sources, which would then decrease the fee by that amount. For more information, contact Christopher Ruff, S.T.L., Director of the Office for Ministries and Social Concerns at (608) 791-0161, or cruff@diolc.org. Application deadline was May 31, 2023