Lay Ministry Scholarship Fund recipients announced

by Mary Beth Botz

Seven scholarships from the Lay Ministry Scholarship Fund have been awarded for study programs in the spring and summer of 2003.

Four individuals were granted scholarships for the National Conference of Catechetical Leaders: Deborah Larson of Montevideo, Diane Pyka of Spicer, Barb Garding of Spicer, and Lynn Schueller of Renville.

The other four recipients received funds to help defray the cost of college programs: Ronald Skjong of Tyler for a course in Ecclesiology used toward a MA in Pastoral studies; Patricia Watkins of Marshall for Youth in Theology Training, used toward a MA in Pastoral Studies; and Pamela Osborne of Winthrop to be used toward a Masters in Pastoral Ministries program.

All of the recipients are active in their respective parish ministries, are working to advance their leadership skills, and plan to continue service in the Diocese of New Ulm.

The Lay Ministry Scholarship Fund was started by the late Bishop Raymond A. Lucker in January of 2000. The fund began with personal donations from Bishop Lucker and expanded with gifts in his name. Each year, the interest from the fund is to be made available in the form of scholarships which are granted twice a year. Its purpose is to provide assistance to help in the qualifying formation/training of personnel currently in lay ministries in the Diocese of New Ulm.

Individuals in various parish ministries are encouraged to apply: religious education directors, youth ministers, Catholic school administrators, liturgists, and catechists in Catholic Schools and Religious Education programs.

Scholarships will be awarded to applicants working toward a degree in a theological field or Catholic school administration, certification or ministry formation programs. Other criteria include a demonstration of financial need and an intention to continue ministry in the Diocese of New Ulm.

Applications are now being accepted for fall/winter study programs and need to be submitted by June 15 to the diocesan Evangelization and Catechesis Department. Application forms are available from pastoral leaders in each parish or by contacting the Diocesan Pastoral Center.

To obtain further information about the Lay Ministry Scholarship and/or to receive an application form, contact JoAnn Borchert, diocesan Director of Adult and Young Adult Religious Education, (507) 359-2966; jborchert@dnu.org.