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When Rev. Chris DeGiovine was writing his doctoral dissertation, he chose a topic of emerging importance: lay ministry formation. Then, in 1984, Father DeGiovine created the Formation for Ministry Program, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

"I hoped that it would be successful, but I never thought it would last this long," Father DeGiovine recalled.

The Formation for Ministry Program (FMP) was launched in 1984 with two sites, St. Lucy's Church in Altamont and St. Anthony's Church in Schenectady. Since then, it has expanded to every county in the Albany Diocese.

The program offers an introduction to theology, Scripture and ministry skills for lay Catholic women and men. 

Father DeGiovine will be one of five people honored at FMP's anniversary celebration, which will take place April 18 at the Academy of Holy Names in Albany. 

He sees the program's quarter-century mark as an affirmation of his faith in people and an appreciation of the great things they can offer.

"I've learned lessons that I believed from the beginning," he said. "We have some remarkable [people] in our lay members who are ready to become leaders."

We are Church
"All of this allows lay people to be more effective ministers in their parish," said David Amico, director of FMP. 

According to Mr. Amico, more than 900 men and women who went through the program have gone on to serve parishes throughout the Diocese, including pursuing vocations to religious life.

Rick Eckhardt, a state worker and a member of Holy Family parish in Albany, entered the program in 2001, right after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S.

"I just wanted to grow," he recalled. "I think the sense of community building and being in a small group is so good. What I really got out of FMP was just this strong sense of community. If you really think about it, I think that's what Jesus did." 

Today, Mr. Eckhardt is active in his parish, which has a large Hispanic community, and in social justice activities. He went on to graduate studies at St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry. 

Betsy Rowe-Manning, who will also be honored at the celebration, served as director for the program from 1988-2007. For her, the 25th anniversary shows a pastoral concern for Catholic women. 

"It means that the Diocese is consistently willing to allow women to participate in the ministry," she said.

Though FMP has been blessed with its leaders, Father DeGiovine credits its success to the lay members who went through the program.

Laity rising
"It's definitely the lay ministers that made it," he said. "We were learning as we were going along and I'm sure we made some mistakes along the way, but it was the goodness of the people and their willingness along the way to stick with the program."

Mrs. Rowe-Manning praised participants in the multi-year program. 

"I learned that this is a Diocese of very generous and gifted people," she said. "People will commit themselves to ongoing formation and the work of forming a community."

Lay ministry has itself taken off in recent years, as Mr. Amico was quick to point out.

"When this began, the whole idea of lay ministry was just beginning to ferment," he explained. "What has happened now is that lay ministry has come into its own."
Though the Formation for Ministry Program has seen 25 years of success, those involved with it hope for more improvement in the future.

"I hope it continues to meet the needs of the Church, whatever that might be," said Mrs. Rowe-Manning. "I hope that, within the next 25 years, lay and ordained will function as partners in ministry and that the call to lay ministry is recognized as a vocation."

"My hope is that, in the next 25 years, we continue to unfold the vision of 'co-workers in the vineyard,'" said Mr. Amico, who noted perhaps the most significant impact the program has had on the Church: "It has helped people to answer their baptismal call to ministry."[[In-content Ad]]

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