Pastoral Ministry is a "Privilege" by Molly Mulqueen MOSAIC, Summer 2007   St. Fabian Parish in Farmington Hills, Michigan, is a bustling parish community of 2,200 families. In addition to its liturgical celebrations, St. Fabian operates a K-8 school of more than 400 students, a large religious education program, an active youth group and Christian service organization, adult education and spiritual formation, Genesis young adults ministry, an "Over 50 Club" and the list goes on.   Because of the shortage of priests, St. Fabian's pastor, Fr. Brian Chabala, does not have an associate pastor to help him manage his thriving parish. He depends on a staff of lay people, especially pastoral minister Celia St. Charles, to handle the practical, the spiritual and everything in between.   "Father Brian strongly encourages lay participation on every level," Celia says. "He is a believer that we are all called by our baptism to be active participants in our faith. He believes lay people have a role to play in the Church and he allows them to do that."   Celia came to her position in 2002 after eight years as coordinator of St. Fabian's youth group of more than two hundred high school students. Her job description is expansive, to say the least.   "Besides coordinating the RCIA program, I also train the Eucharistic ministers and the lectors, do wake services and coordinate the adult education program. This gives Father time so he can visit the sick in our parish, which is such an important thing to do, because we are able to take the load off his shoulders," Celia says. "Father Brian depends on me, but that is what I am here for."   When she started working in youth ministry, Celia "kept asking Father Brian question after question" about theology and the sacraments. He encouraged her to take some classes at Sacred Heart. She ended up earning an associate's degree in pastoral ministry in 2000 and is working towards a bachelor's degree in pastoral ministry at Madonna University.   Like so many Sacred Heart success stories, Celia's begins in Msgr. John Zenz's Introduction to Theology class.   "Monsignor Zenz's class made a huge difference in my life. It made me so much stronger in my faith and made me understand more why I believe what I believe. He is an incredible teacher," Celia says.   "I don't think you could ask for a stronger theological background than what I received at Sacred Heart. It has helped me in every aspect of my ministry— when I was youth minister and even more so now, in pastoral ministry, especially with the RCIA program. The adults ask such well thought-out questions. I have the background to come back to them and say, 'This is why we do this. This is the real way we do it.'"   Celia says the RCIA program is the "jewel" of her many ministries.   "RCIA is the high point of my job. It is such a privilege to be able to walk with these people along their faith journey and watch the Holy Spirit work. It is just an incredible thing to experience."   This Easter at St. Fabian, three were baptized, three made the Profession of Faith and three were confirmed.   "The Easter Vigil is an incredible liturgy because it has all of our rituals and traditions in it, and it is such a sacred night to be received into the Church. It is such a joy to behold, and it is very contagious."   Celia encourages lay people with all kinds of talents to catch that Spirit and get involved. "You don't have to be a PhD in theology to work in the Church and really help. You can work on your theological education as you go."     Molly Mulqueen is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous Catholic publications.