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Many of Charles Stahl's Catholic friends and family members have been straying from the Church lately. But as a self-described shy man, what is he to do?

He can learn more about his faith in order to lead by example, he told The Evangelist on May 10, the first day of the annual Spring Enrichment at The College of Saint Rose in Albany.

The event is a four-day opportunity for education, faith-sharing and catechetical certification for Catholics in parish ministry across the Albany Diocese. Mr. Stahl, a parishioner at Christ the King Church in Westmere, Albany, expected the program to help him achieve this goal.

Close to 1,000 Catholics gathered for the event's kickoff. In a keynote address, Bishop Matthew Clark of Rochester, a native of the Albany Diocese, spoke about the importance of lay ecclesial ministers - a group that includes music ministers, youth ministers and pastoral administrators - in the Church.

He said a childhood catechist taught him that ministers must respect people, must take them where they are and call them to something bigger.

"Your witness shines through to all aspects of catechesis," Bishop Clark told participants.

He said that lay ministers do not replace ordained ministers, but still provide irreplaceable help. For instance, married laypeople can relate to married couples seeking guidance.

For Veronika Bozic, a children's liturgist and substitute catechist at Blessed Sacrament parish in Albany, these compliments are nothing new.

She said that her pastor, Rev. John Bradley, makes the laypeople feel trusted and needed. She registered for courses on Christian moral life, creative catechizing and the psychology of the learner.

Bishop Clark, who grew up in Waterford, also said that laypeople must have tough skin to face controversy and changing dynamics in the Church.

"To lead truly requires a great deal of courage and compassion," he stated. "We do what we can, trusting that the spirit will hold together all our work. We give of ourselves as Christ did for the glory of God."

Some Spring Enrichment participants return year after year. Mary Nicholson has attended about 20 times; this year, the coordinator for faith formation and youth ministry at St. Clare's parish in Colonie looked forward to a course about reading Scripture for the first time (see a previous story at www.evangelist.org).

"It's helped me grow in my faith," Mrs. Nicholson said of Spring Enrichment. "It truly enriches and inspires and helps 'keep the flame burning.'"

(05/13/10) [[In-content Ad]]

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