Empowerment funds available to assist formation efforts

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Sept. 20, 2007

With a desire for well-trained and informed lay leaders in parishes, the Diocese of Sioux City offers funds for formation opportunities through Partners in Empowering Leadership.

"This is financial assistance for Christian leadership formation," said Jessica La Fleur Malm, diocesan director of youth and young adult ministry. "We believe that all leadership in the church is rooted in the baptismal call of Jesus and quality leadership is vital to ministry."

With that in mind, she said it is imperative that the diocese support the formation of ministerial leadership. Between $2,000 and $5,000 has been awarded each year.

Through this program, the diocese assists in the financing of theological formation, education and spiritual development for laity who are practicing Catholics and currently serving in a parish or cluster.

Academic grants do not exceed one-half the cost of tuition and are not given for course work that has already been completed. Grants are also available for continuing education opportunities such as conferences, workshops and certificate programs. Up to one-half of registration fees will be considered for financial assistance.

Paulette Karolczak, DRE at St. Patrick's in Sheldon, is presently receiving empowerment funds to take the Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies through the Archdiocese of Omaha. She is about halfway through the two-year program.

The empowerment funds, she said, "make furthering our education so much more feasible. It helps us to be better educated for our roles in the church. It has been very helpful to participate in some of these programs and workshops."

With the availability of these funds, she said she hoped others would take advantage of programs that help to increase their knowledge of the faith. Along with the coursework knowledge, she said that the networking with other ministers has been beneficial.

Karolczak pointed out that along with the diocese paying half of the program fee for the certificate program, her parish is paying one-quarter and she is picking up the final quarter.

"While this funding is available through the diocesan offices, parishes and clusters are also expected to contribute to the process for further education," La Fleur said.

Tess Vogts, coordinator of the elementary religious education program at Sacred Heart in Spencer, is presently using empowerment funds to help with the cost of taking the Church Ministry courses that are offered in the diocese. She is taking the courses for college credit as she works toward her theology degree.

Knowledge she has gained in these courses has helped her to develop lesson plans with more depth.

"Not only am I learning more about my faith, but I have a great connection of people throughout the diocese," said Vogts.

These funds have been used by individuals seeking their undergraduate degrees or graduate degrees in theology or ministry as well as those seeking special training such as in the BeFriender Ministry and for numerous national, state and diocesan workshops or conferences.

"Anyone who receives the funds, makes a commitment to serve in the diocese for a specified period of time," explained La Fleur. If the individual is using the funds for a degree program, it requires a three-year commitment after the completion of the degree work. All other areas require one year of service.

Empowerment funds are awarded several times a year. Because the funds are limited, La Fleur encouraged those who are interested to apply for the grants at least two months prior to the start of the course, program or conference.

Application forms have been sent to parishes and are available on the diocesan Web site - www.scdiocese.org. See Empowerment Funds under Ministries.

"The diocese recognizes that parishes need to have well trained ministers in order to serve the church," said La Fleur. "If we are going to work toward and fulfill the mission of Christ, we need to not only understand what the mission is but how we can work together to make it a reality."