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Lay ministers honored at Mardi Gras ceremony

Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published February 23, 2007

Photos by Kristin Lukowski The Michigan Catholic Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Flores congratulates lay ministers on their certification during a Mardi Gras ceremony honoring them.

Detroit — The Mardi Gras celebration at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament was more than a celebration of food and fun — it was a celebration of those who serve the Church.

More than 50 lay ministers were honored Tuesday as the Archdiocese of Detroit recognized those who had recently received certification and those who had been recertified. Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Flores, in a reflection following a Gospel reading during the cathedral ceremony, spoke to the lay ministers and their supporters of gratitude.

"Gratitude is a humble and conscious act," he said. "We are grateful and we serve in the name of Jesus, that others may come to know him and be grateful."

Sacred Heart Major Seminary professor Sr. Betty Flaherty, OP, who teaches many of the courses that the lay ministers need, said the celebration was indeed a way to show gratitude to the lay ministers. "It's our way of saying 'thank you' for sticking with us, and you're doing a super job," she said.

Sr. Flaherty explained that in the past, Catholic children went to Catholic schools, and sisters and lay teachers provided religious education. "That system doesn't exist anymore," she said.

Angela Laesch, left, a director of religious education, was one of more than 50 men and women honored for recent certification. Susan Finley, also a director of religious education, attended the event to support her fellow lay ministers.

That's when lay ministers started taking over faith formation in its many forms, and systems for educating the ministers were developed. The Archdiocese of Detroit is a pioneer when it comes to certifying lay ministers, she said; people across the country are coming in to look at Detroit's program.

"I think we have something to be proud of," she said.

Susan Finley, the director of religious education at St. Basil the Great Parish in Eastpointe, explained that lay ministers go through a lot of training on a lot of different topics, all so they can provide quality faith formation to parishioners. "We need to know what we're talking about," she said.

Angela Laesch, who recently received a certification, is the director of religious education at Holy Innocents/St. Barnabas Parish in Roseville and said being a lay minister is a professional position and a vocation at the same time.

Sr. Mary McDevitt, IHM, speaks to honorees and their supporters about a famous lay minister — St. Catherine of Siena.

Patricia Shukwit, who serves at St. Joan of Arc Parish in St. Clair Sores and was recently certified as a youth minister, said there's a big difference between working for the Church and working a regular job. Even when lay ministers leave their parishes, they are constantly thinking about ways to improve ministry and tools they can use. "It's a ministry you live 24 hours," she said. "It's seven days a week."

In addition to being recognized at the Mardi Gras celebration, Shukwit said she is rewarded in seeing youth getting excited about and growing in their faith. "To me, that's knowing that I'm in the right place."

Mary Fortunate, the director of religious education and youth minister at St. Jude Parish in Detroit, said knowing she was answering God's call was one of the rewards of lay ministry. "For me, I can face any frustration in the ministry if I know where I'm where God wants me to be."

Sr. Mary McDevitt, IHM, spoke after breakfast about St. Catherine of Siena — also a lay minister. She compared ministering to others as to being a waiter, someone who's a gracious servant — and who is willing to embrace everyone.

Sr. Kathleen Matz, CDP, one of the day's organizers, emphasized that the day was not only about the collaboration of three archdiocesan departments — faith formation/catechetics, pastoral ministry and youth ministry — but also about the professionalism that parish ministry has come to develop.