EMPOWERMENT FUND: Apply for grants to help finance theological formation

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
July 29, 2004

In light of the present and future need for informed lay leaders in the Diocese of Sioux City, the diocese offers Partners in Empowering Leadership.

Through this program funds are available to assist in the financing of theological formation, education and spiritual development of people presently serving or interested in serving in ministry in the diocese.

According to Kay Morrissey, director of the Office of Faith Formation for the diocese, the peach-colored brochures containing the financial assistance application forms were sent out to priests and pastoral ministers last week.

"As people are asked to take on more and more leadership positions, the diocese recognizes that they have a responsibility to assist them financially in obtaining their goal," she said.

Linda Anderson, diocesan director of catechesis, agreed with the importance of helping leadership persons to increase their formation in the faith.

"Out of our offices here, we really talk about the importance of formation for adults. We oftentimes focus on the education and formation of children, but the adults who are leading our programs or who are looking at future leadership in the church need formation, too. And a lot of times the people that are working in the parishes, it's not in their budgets to go to conferences or workshops, so if we can help them by providing partial funding, then it is to their advantage and to the advantage of the whole church," she said. "What they learn, they are able to share with others."

Father Mark Stoll, vice chancellor and a member of the committee that reviews applications, said, "This fund helps parishes and our professional parish ministers to receive the training they need so they can minister to our parishioners as we provide faith formation and great liturgical celebrations to build up God's kingdom in our diocese and church at large."

Persons serving as DREs, youth ministers, pastoral ministers and liturgists are the primary benefactors of this fund.

"There has been a preference given to people who are already in ministry. We know that a lot of people out there step forward because they see the need and we are grateful for that. Therefore, we want to support them in getting some theological background," said Morrissey.

Many recipients of the funds use it to take Church Ministries courses or pastoral liturgy courses. Monies from Partners in Empowering Leadership have assisted people as they work toward their bachelor's or master's degree in theology or another ministries-related field as well as those seeking a Certificate of Youth Ministry. Funds have also assisted parish leaders to attend conferences in their given field.

Grants generally do not exceed one-half the cost of tuition and are not given for course work that has already been completed. Funding is renewable, but must be requested on a yearly basis.

When completing the application, individuals will be asked how they are presently serving the diocese and why they want to enroll. They must also include two letters of recommendation - one a personal reference and one from a present or former pastor, supervisor or colleague in ministry.

Money from this fund is awarded three times during the year. The spring deadline offered grants for summer courses. An upcoming Aug. 15 application deadline will award grants for fall courses and a Dec. 1 deadline will select grant recipients for spring classes and/or conferences.

Persons interested in obtaining an application can contact their pastor or go the diocesan Web site at www.scdiocese.org. Click on the Office of Faith Formation link and look for Empowerment Fund.