Discerning Mission  -  Week 5

The Mission of the Laity
Questions in Preparation for Week 5

2nd November 2026

“Lay people are, put simply, the vast majority of the people of God. The minority – ordained ministers – are at their service. There has been a growing awareness of the identity and mission of the laity in the Church. We can count on many lay persons, although still not nearly enough, who have a deeply-rooted sense of community and great fidelity to the tasks of charity, catechesis and the celebration of the faith. At the same time, a clear awareness of this responsibility of the laity, grounded in their baptism and confirmation, does not appear in the same way in all places. In some cases, it is because lay persons have not been given the formation needed to take on important responsibilities. In others, it is because, in their particular Churches, room has not been made for them to speak and to act, due to an excessive clericalism which keeps them away from decision-making”.

Pope Francis - Evangelii Gaudium, 102

Questions to stimulate reflection:

1) The primary reason for lay involvement within the Church and their witness to the world arises from their baptismal calling for which they have been given the necessary charisms. The reality of fewer priests highlights our need of an active laity within our diocese and parishes.

Please briefly identify some of the things laity are doing and the good which is happening as a result.

2) Pope Francis believed that lay involvement is not always as it should be. Identifying challenges or obstacles allows them to be overcome. Some things you may wish to consider:

• When lay participation is so necessary why is it not as widespread as it could be?
• Have the teachings of Vatican II on baptism been adequately communicated?
• Is there a lack of opportunity caused by clericalism? Is it a lack of formation?
• Is it a lack of confidence in small communities?
• Can some lay people put barriers in the way of other lay people taking on roles of leaderships and responsibility?
• Is it busyness or even apathy?
• Can you identify any other obstacles?
• What can be done to improve lay participation at all levels of our Church?

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Presentation Week 5 – Presentation on Mission of the Laity

All the baptised share in the common priesthood of Jesus Christ and are consecrated to continue Christ’s ministry as a priestly, prophetic and royal people. Although through their subsequent ordination priests participate in the ministerial priesthood, which is distinct from the common priesthood, nevertheless through baptism everyone in the Church is equal, called to holiness and to mission.

Pope John Paul taught that during and since the Second Vatican Council there has been a renewed awareness of the laity’s call to mission which the Lord gives to each lay person individually.

Just like those ordained the lay faithful receive the graces needed for their mission. The laity are called to be missionaries both to the world and within the Church. The laity have a ‘secular’ characteristic meaning that they live within families, have jobs and daily contact with their neighbours. In all their interactions the laity are to transform society by making present ‘the sweet odour of Christ’. The laity’s vocation also includes participating within the Church. This involvement arises from their baptism and not because we have fewer priests. Regardless of the number of priests God has bestowed charisms upon each lay person which He intended to be used. The Church asks each diocese and parish to reflect on lay participation – female, male and youth – in positions of leadership, responsibility and decision making; in ministries such as Lector, Acolyte and Catechist which may be so helpful for a diocese like ours as well as in many other areas, liturgical and beyond.

However, we must remember that ultimately the Lord gives these gifts and ministries for mission, for spreading the Good News.

This evening I want you to identify some of the roles our laity are currently undertaking and the good which is being achieved.

However, it cannot be denied that the level of lay participation is not what it should be. Please identify obstacles to lay participation and suggestions for overcoming them. The diocese needs more lay participation but we must know what the obstacles are before we can overcome them which will allow the Lord’s charisms to shine more brightly and extensively across Argyll and the Isles.

Resources that may be especially helpful this week: