Ecclesiology: The Church As Communion and Mission
We gather in the presence of the Lord at Mass. We are then sent forth, on a mission, to spread the good news. What does that mission entail? "Ecclesiology: The Church As Communion and Mission" is a theology study of the church. Reflecting us on our ongoing experience of communion and mission.  
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Image: LAMP MinistriesCatholics Following Jesus through Ministry to the Poor 

The week begins on Monday morning with the missionaries of LAMP Ministries (Lay Apostolic Ministries with the Poor) gathering for the Celebration of the Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. It is Jesus, body, blood, soul, and divinity through which the volunteers find their mission and strength to minister to the materially poor on the streets of New York City. LAMP Ministries is a Catholic Lay missionary association designed to serve the poor with a focus on evangelization. After the morning prayers are complete, the many volunteers scatter across the 5 boroughs of New York City to reach those in need. Chester Pawlowski heads to nursing homes and hospitals to help long-term patients while Lisette Van Munster works with youth.

A very important part of the ministry is the LAMPcafe. LAMP Ministry missionaries provide food and spiritual guidance right on the streets. The LAMPcafe goes out 4 times a week to 2 areas of the South Bronx where
50% of the people live in poverty.  The Ministry believes it is important to go to the materially poor rather than waiting for them to come to the them. In this way the ministry evangelizes and brings the catholic church and its teachings to the people. The LAMPcafe cart is parked in front of a Catholic Church to allow those being helped to realize it is the Catholic Church reaching out to them. Even more importantly, by parking in front of a church, the ministry is in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

Other LAMP Ministries outreach efforts include scripture sharing groups, youth ministry, preparation classes for the sacraments, and intercessory prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. The missionaries also visit people where they live, in their apartments or rooms, to pray with them and connect them to the local Parish. Many materially poor parishes cannot afford full-time salaried staff. Lamp ministries reach out to the people in those parishes through home visits, working with the youth, and conduction religious education classes. All the time listening to those they serve; showing them respect and dignity.

Who are these missionaries? They are lay men and women, married or single, religious, and priests. Each one dedicating a minimum of one year of his/her life to the poor through Lamp Ministries. Some are trying to discern a vocation while others are taking a retreat from a career for a short time to follow Jesus' call to minister to the needy. One of the ministries long time missionaries, Margaret Moschetto, shares her thoughts, "the Eucharist is the connection between Heaven and Earth. On Earth we receive the same Lord who will receive us into Heaven. It is the Eucharist that unites people of all ages, races, and social classes. I know Jesus is alive, because he is in everyone I meet. Jesus uses all of us to bring his message to one another." It was Margaret's love of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament that brought her to LAMP Ministries.


To learn more about LAMP Ministries click here.