Lay Pastoral Ministry Program

Jess Salazar has recently completed his study in the Certificate for Pastoral Ministry, studying the subjects of Faith and Human Development; Collaboration and Community; Communication and Community; Leadership in Ministry; Vocation to Ministry; A Vision for Catholic Youth Ministry; and Evangelisation and Discipleship.

Bishop Paul presented Jess with his certificate of completion on Thursday, December 12, 2024. Congratulations to Jess on this achievement.

The Lay Pastoral Ministry Program is an initiative that emerged from the Diocese of Ballarat’s Looking Forward pastoral planning process, facilitated by the Bishop’s Advisory Council, to assist in the development of skills and formation of lay people.

The Lay Pastoral Ministry Program Certificates are offered in partnership with the Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation, Dayton University. This is an online adult religious education and faith formation program you can access, anytime, anywhere from any device.

There are two certificates, Certificate in Pastoral Ministry or Certification in Youth and Young Adult Ministry. They aim to provide formation for ministry and mission in the diocese. You can also do individual subjects.

The Diocese of Ballarat is one of seventy-five dioceses world-wide that are partnered with the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives at the University of Dayton, USA in their Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF).

This opportunity to study is available to anyone (18+ years) within the Ballarat Diocese. Dayton’s Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation offers a wide range of subjects delivered as online courses of five weeks duration.

There are six or seven teaching cycles per year. Areas of study include Liturgy, Sacraments & RCIA, Prayer, Leadership, Scripture, Church History, Social Justice , Pastoral Care and Youth Ministry.

You choose your own study pathway or subjects, selected in consultation with the Facilitator of the Diocesan Lay Pastoral Ministry Program.

More information can be found here:

We are a community of communities from the Murray to the sea.
Inspired by the Gospel and nourished by the Eucharist, we follow the example of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, reaching out in joyful and humble service, caring for all of God’s creation, growing in love day by day and looking forward to life with God forever.

Diocesan Vision Statement

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands in which the Diocese of Ballarat sits. We would like to pay our respects to Aboriginal Elders past, present and future. Their wisdom can help us care for the earth, our common home.

- Acknowledgement of Country -