General Information 

General Information | Curriculum & Materials | Schedule 2011-12 | Registration

Who can participate?

All Catholics of at least eighteen years old and currently serving or intending to serve as lay ministers in a parish or diocesan agency are eligible to participate in SLM. The pastor’s or agency head’s approval is necessary for admission.

Why participate in SLM?

You will not only serve God more capably in Church ministry, but you will also find satisfaction in taking part in a rich catechetical process. Also, if you are discerning a vocation to the diaconate, the two-year SLM program has been one of several requirements for admission to the diocesan Permanent Deacon Formation program.)

Prayer Page

A "prayer page" on the SLM Connect site identifies particular needs of SLM students and their loved ones so that students and faculty will pray for one another’s critical needs. View the Prayer Page by Clicking Here!

"Why Catholic?" An integral part of the School of Lay Ministry

"Why Catholic?," the adult catechetical and evangelization program that the Diocese of Fort Worth adopted in 2009, fosters and completes the catechetical process of SLM and is a required component. This means that all SLM participants should belong to a "Why Catholic?" small church community. SLM participants should contact their parish "Why Catholic?" coordinator regarding how to take part locally. If a SLM participant’s parish is not using "Why Catholic?", he/she should consult Fr. Carmen Mele, O.P., at the Catholic Center to find a substitute program.

Assemblies, Retreat, and the Seder Supper

  • All SLM participants will be required to attend two assemblies, one in September and the other in January. The assemblies provide an opportunity to worship and socialize as well as to learn together. In 2011, the September assembly will feature the “Prayer & Spirituality” course; and the January 2012 gathering, the “Catholic Social Teachings” course.
  • In June of 2012 there will be retreats for all SML students. Attendance is required.
  • The Seder Supper provides a unique atmosphere of prayer and community. Beginning in 2012 the Seders will alternate – one year in Spanish and the next in English. Attendance is not required at the Seder.

Tuition, fees, and expenses

The estimated cost for each student in SLM is $500 per year (not including books). Students and parishes will pay approximately one-third of this amount, and the Diocese through "Sharing in Ministry," the other two-thirds.

  • $90 per year is the tuition for each student. (First year students are asked to pay a $25 registration fee with their application that will be applied toward the $90 tuition. Student will be billed during the school year for their fees.)
  • $90 per year is the parish sponsorship of each student.
  • $320 per year is the responsibility of the Diocese of Fort Worth.

SLM Classes and attendance policy

  • Classes last 150 minutes (two sessions of 75 minutes with a 15 minute break).
  • Evening classes begin at 7:00 and continue until 9:45 p.m.
  • Classes normally begin with a shortened form of either Morning or Evening Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours.
  • Students may miss a total of four classes (12 class hours) without doing make-ups. Absence from class beyond this, however, requires either the attendance of the missed class at another site or participation in SLM’s Summer Cycle or the University of Dallas Ministry Conference the following October (valued at six hours of class time for each day attended).
  • Oral recordings of classes will be posted on the SLM web-page. Listening to missed classes is encouraged but does not compensate for not attending a class.
  • In case of inclement weather or some other regional emergency, participants should check their email and/or call the representative from the host parish or the SLM program director (415-279-9234). Winter weather advisories and warnings will likely mean a one hour delay of the beginning of class.

Assignments and evaluations

  • Beginning in 2011-12 assigned readings for all classes in the Basic Competency (first) Year courses will be made mainly from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. Assignments for the second year will be taken from various sources.
  • Instructors should give short objective examinations for every course. However, no grades will be given.
  • Recognition of completion of the SLM program will be made on the basis of class attendance and completion of the Ministry Project and Theological Reflection.

Internet Option

SLM offers a correspondence course via email in English or Spanish. This option requires participation in the SLM assemblies, the retreat, and in "Why Catholic?" Internet learning necessitates a significant amount of reading and the monthly submission of written assignments.

Commissioning of Ministers

There will be a Commissioning of Ministers in June with Bishop Vann or his representative. Those being commissioned may invite their families to the ceremony.

Contact

Rev. Carmen Mele, O.P.
Director of the School of Lay Ministry
(817) 560-2452, Ext. 262
cmele@fwdioc.org