The application process for admission to the Ecclesial Lay Ministry program of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana has three parts: Program Application, Self-Assessment, and Background Check.

It is required that all forms be completed and sent to Ecclesial Lay Ministry Office, 2300 S. 9th St., Lafayette, IN 47909-2400. A $15 fee is required for processing the background check.

Program Application     (Download form by clicking here.)

The first step is to fill out an application regarding personal information, religious affiliation, educational background, work history, and ministry experience. The Ecclesial Lay Ministry Program Office will contact you to arrange the completion of your Profiles of Ministry assessment, send reference forms to the names you provided on your application, contact you if additional information is needed. Additionally, the ELM office will contact you to arrange an interview to discuss your goals, ministry experience, self-evaluation form, and to develop your formation plan.

If you wish to have previous course credits transferred to this program, have an official transcript(s) sent directly to the ELM office with your application.

Self-Assessment     (Download form by clicking here.)

The self-assessment process provides benchmark data for you and will help you and the ELM staff measure your progress in specified areas as you move forward on the ELM journey. The self-assessment form contains eighty-three questions and covers various areas such as knowledge of faith, spiritual life, human formation and ministry skills and experience.

Background Check     (Download form by clicking here.)

As a Church, we value the safety of children in our care, the people whom we serve, our employees, and our volunteers. We want to take prudent measures to attempt to safeguard people from potential harm. Therefore, the diocese has implemented a policy on background checks for our priests, seminarians, religious, lay employees and volunteers. The background check includes a review of various police, state and county criminal, and civil databases in and out of the State of Indiana.

A criminal background check is required for all applicants to the Ecclesial Lay Ministry Program. If you have recently completed a background check, you may submit documentation from your parish that a criminal background check has been done.