Scores of lay ministers complete FMP training

Paul Kisselback came because he was searching; Ken Dukes Jr., because he was asked; and Judith Doody, because of a craving for "something more."

On Sept. 26, they and 54 others joined the ranks of hundreds of laypeople who have been trained to engage in ministry as graduates of the Albany diocesan Formation for Ministry program (FMP).

FMP, which is marking its 20th anniversary, exposes participants to an intensive two-year curriculum that covers Church history, ecclesiology, prayer, Eucharist, moral theology, sacraments, and other topics.

Futurist

Mr. Kisselback spent the last ten years in the financial services industry, assisting individuals and families in planning their fiscal futures.

At the same time, he and his family participated in many ministries at St. Ambrose parish in Latham, such as the Confirmation program, lectoring and parish school. When he became involved in Eucharistic adoration, he felt called towards the diaconate. His pastor and diocesan officials recommended that he attend FMP to discern whether the diaconate was the right path for him.

"I found the two years [in FMP] to be a wonderful experience -- a time of great growth for myself," he said. "It helped me to stop and think, and reconnect to parts of my faith that have been with me always but that I never took the time to explore and study."

Unity in group

Mr. Kisselback said that sharing and cooperation among the FMP participants was an "invaluable" experience.

"It was the gift of themselves that was there -- and, really, God's presence is in each of us," he explained. "To see the gifts that came out during that time that would give you new insights for yourself and how you could help others."

He hopes to continue the discernment process, but "that decision is in God's hands," he said.

Designs on faith

For nine years, Mr. Dukes, a design engineer for the Verizon phone company, had been "getting mixed up in all types of things" at St. Mary's Church in Oneonta.

From serving on the pastoral council to reading books to the pre-K class at the parish school and acting as a Eucharistic minister, he considered ministry "a fire -- something inside of you that keeps saying 'more, more, more.'"

He knew about FMP through his activities but never thought that he would actually participate. "Every time I saw it in the bulletin, I thought, 'No way, I wouldn't be able to do it,'" he explained. "I didn't think I was worthy [and said,] 'They're not looking for someone like me.'"

Two years ago, however, his pastor urged Mr. Dukes to take the plunge. "That was the tap I needed," he said.

What he learned

Mr. Dukes uses the words "awareness" and "appreciation" to describe what he learned from FMP: a greater awareness of the intricacies and tenets of his faith, and a greater appreciation for the world around him and the "hand of God in everything."

He valued the participation of others in the program and the connections made among participants, noting that "at first, you're in a room with people...and then you're friends...and after two years, you're family."

Mr. Dukes hopes to use his new skills and knowledge to better his ministry at St. Mary's and his volunteer work at a local nursing home. "I hope I can make a difference -- even in a small way," he said.

Going deeper

Mrs. Doody had seen information about FMP in The Evangelist and in her church bulletin. With her children grown and out of the house, she felt that she was entering "a time in my life when I was looking for something a little bit more, something a bit deeper in my religion."

A parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Delmar, she said that the program "opened up to me a whole new world of the richness of our faith. I went to Catholic schools so I learned something, but I found out that there's so much more."

Mrs. Doody especially appreciated the community that she felt was formed among the FMP participants. She described a typical Saturday class as encompassing "so much variety" -- prayer, lectures, group discussions and community-building activities.

"A lot of it was sharing and experiencing one another's faith," she said. "It was something you don't experience in your everyday life. I would come home Saturday nights drained because of all that had happened but not able to stop talking to my husband about it."

(This year's 57 FMP graduates represent 30 parishes in the Albany Diocese. C. Elizabeth Rowe, FMP coordinator, said they exhibit "the spirit of hospitality and welcome," and have "worked hard at creating community. They've grown in their acceptance and understanding of each other, and have been transformed by their experiences.")

(9/30/04)