As a Commissioned Pastoral Minister since 2008, I have noticed bishops show little interest in actually utilizing the people who have graduated and have earned certificates.   Our diocese has literally over 100 certified lay ministers who not only completed the three year formation, but for the most part paid for it themselves.  The program itself was excellent with instructors drawn from  religious, and laypeople from local colleges.  Upon graduation  the participants were inspired and galvanized to start making  a difference in their parishes, only to discover their pastors had no idea what to do with them, even though the vast majority would be working for no salary.  Apparently there was no preparation given to priests on how to benefit from this boon of free, qualified personnel.  As a result the program faltered leaving many eager, well educated  people with  little to do.