ROCKFORD—Several dozen men and women were certified as lay ministers by Bishop David Malloy Nov. 8 at the Cathedral of St. Peter, here.
Each completed the diocese’s two-year Ministry Formation Program and received certification at a Liturgy of the Word event.
Director John McGrath acknowledged the commitment to the study and to completing “those dreaded written assignments,” adding that “We pray they will always serve the Lord with competence, compassion and fidelity.”
Bishop Malloy encouraged the graduates to give individual witness to the Catholic faith, speculating that people will have their own faith strengthened as they hear and see them practicing their faith.
He spoke of the many people who serve Christ and His Church “with each contributing to the transmission of the faith … with particular humility … working together, bringing out the best in each other.”
The goal of Ministry Formation, he said, is “to equip you for the work of ministry to building up the Body of Christ,” and he challenged them to be mature in faith as part of “not a sprint, but a marathon” of service, a contribution to “the beauty of the Church, the beauty of the Catholic faith.”
Bishop Malloy concluded his homily by thanking God for their calling, and he asked them to “please stand with me as witnesses of the Church. (That) is part of what is being entrusted to you today.”
Jane Sartino, administrative assistant for the Ministry Formation Program until her death earlier this year, was remembered in the program booklet, and Bishop Malloy led prayers for her at the event as well.
Newly Certified Lay Ministers
Algonquin
St. Margaret Mary: Michael Barrett, Lynne Guerra
Aurora
Annunciation of Blessed Virgin Mary: Jill Zolfo
Holy Angels: Robin Pall
St. Peter: Tamela Ososky
St. Rita of Cascia: Bruce Bachmeier, Susan Bachmeier
Batavia
Holy Cross: Greg Norris, Karen Rhodes, George Romanos, Simone Romanos
Belvidere
St. James: Stewart Dobson
Cary
SS. Peter and Paul: Linda Eberlein
Crystal Lake
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: Mary Rozynek
St. Thomas the Apostle: Donna Sinski, John Sinski, Allyson Svigelj
DeKalb
Christ the Teacher: Kathy Berkes, Kathy Cebulski, Cheryl Lehman, Kathy Love, Douglas Teckenbrock
Dixon
St. Patrick: Lorraine Joachim
Dundee
St. Catherine of Siena: Debbie Sakowski
East Dubuque
St. Mary: James Schilling
Elburn
St. Gall: Pam Barz
Elgin
St. Laurence: Joe Bermea
St. Mary: Lauren Jazwiec
St. Thomas More: David Jochum, Mariana Maloney, Linda McEwan, Pamela Schubert, Donna Watwood, Keith Williams
Geneva
St. Peter: Laura Brown, Kevin O’Dea
Genoa
St. Catherine of Genoa: Kenneth Brian Mullins
Hampshire
St. Charles Borromeo: Debra Ward
Huntley
St. Mary: David Meus, Martha Meus
Loves Park
St. Bridget: Francys Johnson, Bob Nelson, Mary Reppen, Monica Riseley
McHenry
Church of Holy Apostles: Geri Condon, Patty Nellessen, Victor Solis, Matt Welch
St. Patrick: Lisa Johnson, Tim Madden
Rochelle
St. Patrick: Dani Garcia
Rock Falls
St. Andrew: Diane Melton
Rockford
Holy Family: Mary Haas, Bonnie Harn, Arturo Lazaro, Joe Murray
St. Rita: Daniel Burd, Robert Collins, Kevin Hunter, Mary Kinney
St. Charles
St. John Neumann: Shawn Glanville, Gregory Pacelli, Mary Pacelli, Dave Womac
St. Patrick: Mike Alber, Angelina Beaudion, Ken Konetzki, Jon Mielke, Frank Positano
Spring Grove
St. Peter: Steve Besetzny
Sterling
Sacred Heart: Paula Passini
Sublette
Our Lady of Perpetual Help: Teresa Machen
Sugar Grove
St. Katharine Drexel: Tom Stahl, Jennifer Winger, Mike Winger
Sycamore
St. Mary: Theresa Johnson, Carol Recker
Woodstock
St. Mary: Maricela Duenas, Jenny Dwyer, Bill Kearley