Lay Leadership Program
Grow in faith. Serve your parish. Lead with purpose.
The Lay Leadership Program helps faithful people deepen their knowledge of the Church, recognize their gifts, and prepare to serve more actively in parish life.
The Eparchy is looking for people who want to make a difference in their parishes. You may already be involved in ministry, or you may see a need and feel ready to help address it. Through prayer, study, and practical formation, this program can help you take the next step.
Whether you are a parishioner or an individual seeking a deeper formation, we invite you to explore the program. Our particular hope is to form people who will bring what they learn back to their parishes, take initiative, and help their communities grow.
Why Lay Leadership Matters
Strong parishes grow through the gifts of their people
The life of the Church is strengthened when people use their gifts in service of others. Lay leaders help parishes welcome people, pass on the faith, care for those in need, and respond to the changing needs of their communities.
Lay leadership is not about status or having a title. It is about becoming more prepared, more confident, and more willing to serve. It may begin with a conversation about a need in your parish, a desire to support a ministry, or a sense that God is inviting you to take greater responsibility.
The program supports the Eparchy’s vision of active discipleship and vibrant parish life. Participants are encouraged to ask not only, “What can I learn?” but also, “How can I use this formation to serve my parish?”
Who Is This Program For?
For people ready to grow and serve
The Lay Leadership Program may be a good fit for you if you:
- Are an active parishioner who wants to serve your parish more deeply
- See a need in your parish and want to help develop a thoughtful response
- Want to strengthen your understanding of Scripture, theology, worship, and the Eastern Christian tradition
- Are interested in catechesis, faith formation, pastoral care, or another area of parish ministry
- Want to support children, families, seniors, people who are sick or homebound, newcomers, or others in your community
- Are looking for structured formation before taking on a new responsibility
- Are an individual who wants to grow in faith and explore how your gifts may serve the Church
You do not need to have an existing parish title or ministry role to begin the conversation. A willingness to learn, pray, and serve is an important place to start.
The Eparchy especially encourages parishioners to apply with the support of their pastor and parish community. The goal is not simply to complete a program, but to help form people who will participate actively in the life of their parishes.
What the Program Offers
Formation that connects learning with service
The program brings together spiritual, theological, and practical formation. It is designed to help participants grow personally while preparing to contribute more confidently to parish life.
Deeper knowledge of the faith
Study Scripture, Eastern Christian theology, spirituality, worship, and the tradition of sacred icons.
Greater confidence in service
Develop a stronger foundation for catechesis, pastoral care, faith formation, and other forms of parish ministry.
Discernment of gifts and vocation
Reflect on your strengths, interests, and responsibilities so you can serve in a way that is faithful, realistic, and fruitful.
Support for parish initiatives
Learn how to recognize a need, work with parish leadership, and help begin or strengthen a ministry in your parish.
A community of formation
Grow alongside others who want to deepen their faith and contribute to the life of the Church.
Program Pathways
Choose the study pathway that fits your needs
The Eparchy currently offers two ways to pursue lay leadership formation. Both pathways are intended to support deeper faith, responsible service, and active participation in parish life.
Newman Theological College pathway
The Lay Leadership Program is facilitated through Newman Theological College and is designed for adult learners who want structured theological and pastoral formation.
The program information includes:
- A first year focused on foundations such as Sacred Scripture, Eastern Christian theology, spirituality, worship, and icons
- A second year with a ministry focus in catechesis or pastoral care
- Six five-week courses each year
- Approximately four hours of study each week
- Online study with occasional in-person formation
The program is intended to connect study with real service. Participants are encouraged to remain engaged in parish life while they learn and to consider how their formation can respond to a real need in their community.
Ukrainian Catholic University pathway
The Eparchy also offers a Ukrainian-language option for people who want to study online through Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) in Lviv.
This pathway is completed online over three years and offers an opportunity to pursue sustained formation in Ukrainian while remaining connected to parish life in Alberta.
Applications for this pathway must be made through the Eparchy. Please do not apply directly to UCU for this program. The Eparchy will explain the application process, confirm current program details, and guide applicants through the next steps.
- Program length
- Three years
- Study format
- Online
- Language
- Ukrainian
- Application route
- Through the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
From Formation to Parish Life
Bring your learning home
The result of the program is not only a certificate or completed coursework. It is a person who is better prepared to participate in the life of the Church and respond to the needs of a parish.
After completing formation, participants may be prepared to:
- Support or develop catechesis and faith-formation opportunities
- Assist with pastoral care for seniors, people who are sick, homebound, or in need of companionship
- Support sacramental preparation and continued faith formation after the sacraments
- Help strengthen family and life ministry
- Welcome and accompany newcomers and other parishioners
- Identify a need in parish life and help develop a practical response
- Work collaboratively with the pastor, parish pastoral council, and other volunteers
- Encourage other parishioners to use their gifts in service
The exact ministry will look different in every parish. The purpose of formation is to help each participant serve faithfully, responsibly, and in a way that supports the real life of their community.
Parish Support
Formation grows best within a parish community
Parish involvement is an important part of this program. The Eparchy wants to support people who are connected to parish life and ready to bring their learning back to their communities.
Before applying, we encourage you to speak with your pastor and, where appropriate, your parish pastoral council. Their encouragement can help you discern the right pathway and identify how your formation may serve the parish.
Parishes are encouraged to recognize potential lay leaders, support them during their studies, and help them find meaningful ways to serve after formation. Questions about parish support, tuition, and current program arrangements should be discussed with the Eparchy before an application is submitted.
How to Apply
Begin with your parish and apply through the Eparchy
The application process is designed to connect personal discernment with the life of the parish.
1.
Speak with your pastor
Share your interest and discuss how your gifts, experience, and hopes may serve the parish.
2.
Talk with your parish community
Where appropriate, involve the parish pastoral council or other parish leadership so the program can be connected to a real need or opportunity for service.
3.
Request and complete the application
Contact the Eparchy to request the appropriate application form. Complete the form according to the instructions provided.
4.
Gather parish support
The application may require confirmation or a letter of support from your pastor and parish pastoral council. Please review the current application form for exact requirements.
5.
Submit your application through the Eparchy
Send your completed application and supporting documents to Andrea Leader at andrea.leader@eeparchy.com.
All applications for the Ukrainian Catholic University pathway must also be submitted through the Eparchy. The Eparchy will coordinate the next steps with applicants.