The event served as a reunion for those who have participated in the many incarnations of formal lay formation ministry in the Diocese, either as students or teachers. These included not only the MFI’s current Parish Ministry Formation Program (PMFP) and Coordinator of Ministries Formation Program (CMFP), but also its precursors – the Straling Leadership Institute and Escuela de Ministerios. Graduates of Master’s Degree programs done in partnership with Loyola University, New Orleans and Santa Clara University were also on hand.
The day began with a brief history of lay formation in the Diocese, given by Archivist Peter Bradley. Then, alumni of the lay formation programs offered testimony about their experience. Among those who shared were Mary Wedeking, Director of Religious Education at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish; Uyen Nhu Nguyen, a catechist at Our Lady of Hope Parish in San Bernardino, and Diocesan Chief Financial Officer Laura Clark, a graduate of the Straling Leadership Institute.
A panel discussion, “Lay Formation: Emerging Responses,” followed. The panel consisted of longtime lay ministry formators Marie Acosta, Father Bob Miller, Deacon Phil Mirici, Richard Simpson and Sister Nadine McGuinness, SJ, a former director of the MFI. Small group discussion centered on the current and future needs in lay formation in the Diocese.
Bishop Barnes closed the day with a talk on his own vision for lay formation and its importance to the future of the Diocese. In honor of his 25th Anniversary he was presented with several gifts including a framed image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, an honorary CMFP Diploma, a rose tree, a lamp that projected three crosses, a box of testimonials written by current and former MFI participants and a plaster bust of the Bishop, himself, that includes his Episcopal motto “Amar Es Entregarse.”
Bishop Barnes has stated, in reflecting on his years of leadership of the Diocese, that the advances in lay ecclesial ministry have been among the most satisfying to him. The Symposium evoked that satisfaction, he said.
“I was very moved by the people and their gratitude,” he said. “To see the past there, it was very good.”