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Lesson #5: Ministry is more fruitful when lay ministers and clergy work together.

Each year, we host two gathering weekends at Saint Meinrad for the parishes who are part of the Young Adult Initiative. Our seminarians are a big part of the weekend – they facilitate small groups; plan and lead our Holy Hour and prayer times; and in no small part, they make our participants feel at home while they’re on the Hill. 

At one particular gathering, I was sitting in the chapel during the Saturday evening Holy Hour when I was suddenly overwhelmed by a feeling of deep joy. 

This is what is looks like when the whole Body works together. 

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We had spent the whole day together – parish ministers, young adults, clergy, religious, and seminarians – listening to presentations, participating in small groups, and bonding over meals. By Saturday afternoon of the gathering, there is always a palpable feeling of community. 

As each person entered, I watched as they headed to their place in the chapel. 

The priests went into the confessionals to administer the sacrament; the seminarians took their places as deacon, acolyte, and server for Exposition; and the rest of the participants knelt to adore the Lord present in the Eucharist. 

Each person in the chapel had a place appropriate to their vocation. Each person carried out the duties associated with their role. And the whole community was united by the Eucharist.

"This is the Body of Christ."

“This is what is looks like when the whole Body works together.”  

That thought – that conviction – came from deep inside me, and I understood the beauty of our Church in a new way. I saw what it could look like if each member of the Church lives our vocation to the full, in service of one another and united in the Eucharist. 

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This year, we will be diving deeper into our 2025 insights. Each month, we will focus on one lesson our partner parishes learned and offer concrete ways to incorporate these insights into your own ministry. May God bless our work!