News

Commissioned grow in faith and their calling

By Jaye Alderson
Compass Correspondent

	HOLY WORD: Anne Shelley holds the Lectionary at St. Gabriel Parish, Neenah, as Fr. Dick Allen, pastor, looks on. Shelley is one of 14 laypeople Bp. David Zubik will commission Friday night in a Mass at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Green Bay, for service in the church. (Rick Evans photo)
	Related articles this week: • Bishop to commission 14, ordain two deacons     Ceremonies planned Friday and Saturday • Two men to be ordained deacons May 19     Ordination at 10 a.m. at St. Francis     Xavier Cathedral • Fourteen to become commissioned ministers     May 18 Mass caps individuals' participation     in nationally accredited formation program

Responding to their call to serve while growing in the faith and what the church teaches are part of what three Fox Valley women said they have gained from the Commissioned Ministry Leadership Formation Program.

They are among 14 lay ministers Bp. David Zubik will commission Friday at 7 p.m. in St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Green Bay.

Joyce Martin of Kaukauna and Anne Shelley of Menasha and will be commissioned in liturgy and Debbie Spielbauer of Menasha will be commissioned in pastoral ministry.

As liturgical ministry coordinators, Martin and Shelley will assist their pastor/parish director in planning prayerful worship.

Martin is the part-time music director at St. Patrick Parish in Menasha.

"They told us in the beginning it was a journey," Martin said of the Commissioned Ministry formation program. "I see it more as a journey than a program. Certainly it enhances spiritual life. It's not just education, it's the spirituality of the program that is equally, if not more, important. Obviously, it's our faith, but again, in an equal manner, it's how we live our life, it's our devotion to God and recognizing the gifts and talents God gives to us and using them for his glory."

An important aspect of the process has been learning about church traditions and history, Martin said. "We don't often realize the importance of both of those topics within our faith and who we are as Roman Catholics. So often in ministry, a parish member will come up and ask a question. (The studies have) given us the knowledge so that even if we can't answer the question, we know where to go to find the answer."

Martin said lay ministry is becoming more important because of the shortage of priests.

"It gives me the opportunity to minister to the people of God," she said. "It gives me an opportunity to minister in our Roman Catholic church, and it's given me a much better knowledge and ability to evangelize."

Commissioned ministry training would benefit anyone, whether they're in a paid position or volunteer, she said. "It could do nothing but enhance what you do. "I've been at it four years. In the midst of this all, I decided to go back to college and get my degree in theology. This program spurs us on to learn more. We find it's so all-encompassing. There's so much more. It leaves me always searching, always wanting a little more."

"It's more than education, it's a heart-felt ministry," she said. "I commend the people who run the program and those who teach in it, because they're marvelous people."

Shelley works full time as a librarian at St. Mary Central High School/TCCES in Neenah. She also is an extraordinary minister of holy Communion, lector and sacristan at St. Gabriel Parish in Neenah.

She started taking classes to expand her faith.

"I felt called to continue to move through the program," she said. "It helps you grow in your own personal faith, and it equips you to help out in your parish. But that is not my main job. I wanted to be the best librarian I can be. It's helping me to be a good resource for that aspect of the school."

She said she wants to help others grow in their own faith and to train catechists to be strong teachers.

Her studies, she said, "have given me some confidence in knowing what the church teaches in different areas. There is so much information out there. The best thing I can do is to know where to go to find the answers. It's helped me be less invisible in my parish, and say I'm willing to do (what needs doing)."

She said program coordinators help new students discover their gifts and preferences.

"I think I was called to do this type of ministry. This is where I should be, this is what I should be doing. You can look and see God's hand in your life, making you aware of options and possibilities. You know in your gut you're going in the right direction."

Spielbauer is the full-time faith formation administrator for St. John the Baptist Parish and St. Mary Parish, Menasha. She will be able to assist the pastor/parish director in pastoral care, RCIA, sacramental preparation, evangelization and other spiritual needs and services.

"I decided to take the classes after praying about it because I felt I needed to be better prepared in my role as religious education coordinator in my parish," Spielbauer said. "I've received so much. I've received head knowledge, but much more than that."

She said she's made friends and been inspired by her classmates and teachers. She's also received "a lot of God's grace. The program's designed to develop your spiritual life as well as head stuff. It made me a better person in my job in my parish. It's a multi-dimensional blessing. It's affected everything - my prayer life, work ministry, relationship with my husband and kids. You wouldn't think a few courses could make that much of a difference, but they really do."

Spielbauer said an inner urging led her to serve the church.

"God's put that hole there so he could fill it up, and I'm trying to be obedient to the will of the Holy Spirit," she said. "He made us a spiritual being who was meant to serve God and serve as his disciple. Everybody needs to be needed, and everybody wants to do their best. I think doing my best means serving God, serving the church.

"Who knows where the Holy Spirit will blow me? I needed to be ready to go, and I needed to be prepared spiritually, intellectually and emotionally to be the person he's called me to be. I felt the 'peace that passes all understanding.' That's how I knew I was doing what he wanted me to do," Spielbauer said.

Commissioned ministry is a combined effort of the Green Bay Diocese and Silver Lake College to prepare Catholics for leadership service in the church.

Tony Pichler, director for lay ministry formation for the diocese, said the program addresses lay ministry in a holistic way and includes spirituality, retreats and classes.

"Lay ministry is just exploding around the country," Pichler said. "Thirty thousand people are serving their parishes in this way. We train people to do ministry in their parish. More and more people need to step up to the plate to be trained to be ministers."