The liaison office for lay professional ministers and parish staff members in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
The Office of the Lay Initiative was established in October 2024 to continue the efforts of the Office for Lay Ministry with a renewed focus in calling, forming, and supporting laity called to work in ministerial settings. On April 8, 2025, we launched our office publicly throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee (read our launch letter HERE). We are dedicated to accompanying laity “who feel themselves called to work with their pastors in the service of the ecclesial community for its growth and life, by exercising a great variety of ministries according to the grace and charisms which the Lord is pleased to give them.” (Saint Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 73). If you work on a pastoral staff, are discerning work in parish setting, or need a starting point for your discenrment, please contact us. We are here to support you!
Established by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki in January 2017, the Office for Lay Ministry is the liaison office for lay professional ministers/parish staff members in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. This office provides opportunities for lay ministers to develop leadership skills, find ministerial positions, receive guidance through the certification process for lay ministers, and receive pastoral care and support. This office also works in collaboration with local institutions of higher learning and with PMMA, Mareda, BAAM, ALMA and other ministeral groups.
Ongoing formation, which strengthens ministerial identity, as well as enhances ministerial skills, is not a luxury to be pursued when time and resources allow, but is rather a permanent necessity for every ecclesial minister, lay or ordained.
The Fund is available to assist lay ministers in the continuing formation and enhancement of skills that will increase the lay minister’s capacity to minister in parishes or Catholic institutions within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has received a generous grant from the Faith in Our Future Foundation for the purpose of assisting lay ministers in their pursuit of graduate-level education in theology, religious studies, or pastoral liturgy/liturgical music.
The Summer Institute for Lay Ministers is open to those engaged in full or part-time professional ministry, including parish staff members, principals, teachers, health care chaplains and others in professional ministry positions.
Our deacons and our lay staff members are essential to the ministry of the Church, most especially in our parish communities. As coworkers in the vineyard of the Lord, we collaborate in leading our parish communities into the future.
Check back soon to find information on lay ministry events and programs offered by the Office of Lay Ministry.
Brenda Cline Director of Priest Placement & the Lay Initiative 414-769-3458 clineb@archmil.org
Meg Aspinwall Associate Director of the Lay Intiative 414-758-2223 aspinwallm@archmil.org
3501 South Lake Drive St. Francis, WI 53235