Partners in Ministry
They have completed more than two years of lay ministry formation, but it’s really only the beginning
By Kathleen Ogle
Managing Editor
PISCATAWAY — Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski presented 17 men and women with their Partners in Ministry certificates Jan. 28 during an Evening Prayer at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center.
The certificates recognize their completion of more than two years of formation for ministry.
“We tell our priests that continuing education is so very important. From the day you enter the seminary until the day you close your eyes and see the Lord face to face, that process goes on,” the bishop said in his homily. “That call is not only exclusive to clergy; all are called to discipleship, all are called to ministry of one sort or another.”
Although the graduates are now ready to assume leadership roles in their parishes, Bishop Bootkoski urged them to be open to prompting of the Holy Spirit. Pointing to the program’s mentors — previous graduates who have all moved on to other types of ministry since their formation — the bishop encouraged the graduates to “Leave your options open. Let the Spirit of God call you. To distinguish what the Lord is calling you to, you must constantly pray to see what that call is and where you’re going.”
Bishop Bootkoski and Msgr. Raymond L. Cole, diocesan director of pastoral life, both recalled the dedication of Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart Sister Joanna Kerwin, who previously directed the Partners in Ministry program. Shortly after she left her position with the diocese for a sabbatical, she was diagnosed with cancer. She died Dec. 3.
Bishop Bootkoski described Sister Joanna as “a woman of faith” who worked in many different ministries during her life, “responding to that universal call of holiness because that is what we are all called to, holiness, the presence of Christ.”
The bishop encouraged the graduates to “be a light for others, not so much by being preachy,” but through the way they live their lives, sharing with others.
“Thank you for taking the time, thank you for enriching your lives, thank you for journeying with us, as we all journey towards Christ and his call to holiness,” he concluded.
Peg Garvey-Mitchell, who led the participants in the final months of their formation, then presented the candidates to Bishop Bootkoski and Msgr. Raymond L. Cole.
“I am here to say that these are women and men of faith who have entered into this program to increase their faith, expand their knowledge and receive preparation for ministry,” Garvey-Mitchell said.
As she announced each candidate’s name, Bishop Bootkoski and Msgr. Cole presented them with their certificates.
The Partners in Ministry program consists of two years of formal classes and group meetings and then a half year of project development. Tuition was $250 a year, which was often paid for by the students’ home parishes. Students typically paid for their own books, which covered topics in Scripture, church history, morality, social justice and spirituality. Students met one Saturday each month for a six-hour class and then again one evening each month in small groups to reflect on their experience and assignments. Their final assignment was to develop and implement a ministry project.
After 22 years of ministering in the Marriage Encounter program, Janet and Russ Baker of St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral Parish, Metuchen, enrolled in Partners in Ministry to prepare for a new ministry.
The program led them to their new ministry with the RCIA. They worked together to develop a program for the mystagogia phase of their parish’s RCIA process. The Bakers plan to launch their project following the Easter Vigil.
Through Partners in Ministry, the Bakers said they gained both knowledge, confidence and spiritual growth.
“My formal education ended before Vatican II. This was an opportunity to see what the church has been about for the past 40 years,” Russ said.
Despite her position as a biology and genetics professor, Janet found the reading assignments to be stimulating and “deep.”
“It required discipline,” she said. “I had to carve out time to do the readings and take notes and reflect on them. We had a number of written assignments each month as well.”
Both emphasized the need for a lay ministry formation in the diocese.
“This program or something like it is so valuable and needed,” Russ said.
“Lay formation is absolutely critical,” Janet said.
Ray Reyes of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Hackettstown, enrolled in the program after realizing his own need for formation for his stewardship ministry.
A self-identified former “pew potato,” Reyes became involved in stewardship in his parish when his oldest child was born. “I realized that to raise his children in the faith I would have to become more involved in the church,” he said.
Reyes’ work schedule is demanding but flexible, which allows him to make his ministry a priority. His ministry has required him to make some sacrifices. He does not watch much television and has given up some sporting events. “I used to play on a softball team, but honestly, it wasn’t fulfilling.”
For his ministry project he is designing a six- to 12-week program for parishioners to study various faith topics. He wants other Catholics to be able to understand and articulate their faith.
“If you don’t know why you believe what you believe you can’t defend it, you can’t evangelize, you can’t do anything,” he said.
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law