On Sunday, Jan. 15, for the third consecutive year, approximately 200 lay ministry formation students, alumni and their families gathered for Mass at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Parish, St. Anthony of Padua Church in Hammonton, for the celebration of Lay Ministry Sunday.
Father John Rossi was the principal celebrant of the Mass.
Bishop Joseph A. Galante gave the homily, telling students that although their intellectual formation was necessary for competence in ministry, more important was their deepening relationship with Jesus.
Presently, 289 people are pursuing lay ministry formation studies through certificate, undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered by the Diocese of Camden and Catholic colleges and universities. These programs began in January 2009 and to date, 17 individuals have completed their studies.
At the end of Mass, Bishop Galante called forth nine of these individuals to receive their diocesan certificates of recognition for the completion of their programs.
Receiving a certificate of completion for a Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology from Georgian Court University were: Maria Carmela LoCasale, St. Katharine Drexel Parish; Anthony Spellacy, St. Michael the Archangel Parish; Carroll-Jo Kennedy, Most Precious Blood Parish, and Gloria Mazziotti, St. Rose of Lima Parish.
Receiving a certificate for a Bachelor of Arts from Neumann University were Deacon John Contino, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish and Mariann Gilbride, Our Lady of Hope Parish.
Receiving a certificate for Adult Leadership Formation from the University of Dayton was Art Lombardo, St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish.
Receiving a certificate for Catechesis, Level 1 from the University of Dayton were Helen Persing of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and Julie McNulty, Christ the Redeemer Parish.
For more information regarding the many opportunities within the Lay Ministry Formation program, contact Linda Robinson at linda.k.robinson@camdendiocese.org or call 856-583-6116.
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