PFLM-2 graduates called best-educated laity in liturgy

The second class of the diocesan Program of Formation for Lay Ministers-Level Two received their certificates of completion May 19 at Holy Family+Pope John XXIII Church in Missoula.
On behalf of Bishop George Leo Thomas, Father Ed Hislop presented certificates to 23 men and women following Saturday evening Mass. Their achievement also includes diocesan certification in “Parish Liturgical Ministries,” a first in the Diocese of Helena, said Jim Tucker, director of Catholic Formation Services for the diocese.
Another 16 people completed the program but did not pursue diocesan certification, Tucker added.
When this PFLM track was introduced last year, the parish position for people seeking certification was identified as “liturgical ministries coordinator,” which is similar to the “faith formation coordinator” position offered last year.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops currently does not have approved national standards for the position of a parish liturgical ministries coordinator, but does have national standards for faith formation coordinators, he explained. So the Diocese of Helena decided to designate diocesan certification as “parish liturgical ministries” without specifying a parish position.
Tucker commended Father Ed Hislop, pastor of Holy Family+Pope John XXIII Parish, for coordinating a group of highly qualified presenters, with assistance from Lorraine Tucker of Helena.
“The program content and presentations have been exceptionally solid and well done,” Jim Tucker said, adding that some think that people completing PFLM-Level Two this year “are among the best-educated lay persons in our diocese in the area of liturgy.”
The 39 graduates include Ruth Connor, Sister Eileen Johnson, SCL, Patricia Ricci and Madalen Sugrue of Anaconda Catholic Community; Richard Bishop and Kathleen Cross, Christ the King Parish, Missoula; Vincent Burgmeier and Victoria Burgmeier, Flint Creek Catholic Community; and Marcus and Pamela Raba of Guardian Angel Mission, Power.
Eight members of Holy Family+Pope John XXIII Parish attended: Ronald Butler, Daniel Hampson, Joyce Latimer, Linda McCarthy, Thomas McCarthy, Margaret Nordin, Sister Elizabeth Olsen, BVM, and Belinda Rodriguez.
Francine Coombe of Holy Spirit Parish, Butte, participated, as well as Wayne Armstrong, Immaculate Conception Parish, Polson; Theresa Nugent, Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Helena; Patricia Heath, Risen Christ Parish, Kalispell; William Cullis and LaVerne McGreevey, Sacred Heart Parish, Ronan; Cheryl Russell, Spirit of Christ Mission, Lolo.
Partiicpants also included Peggy Korona and Joseph Korona, St. Anthony Parish, Missoula; Joanne Mahler, St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Whitefish; Sister Margaret Hogan, SCL, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Hamilton; Deacon Michael Bloomdahl, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Missoula; Sandra Coulter, St. Joseph Mission, Charlo; Lucille Durocher of St. Margaret Parish, Cut Bank; Linda Angeloni of St. Mary Catholic Community, Helena; Margaret Baylinson, St. Richard Parish, Columbia Falls; Denise and Paul Rust, St. Rose of Lima Parish, Dillon; and Jeanne Ahmann, Rita O’Neil and Michael Rieley of Cathedral of St. Helena.hat support is going to grow the foundation so that at some point, it will have significant resources for benefit of the Church and her mission.”

Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 23, No. 6, June 15, 2007.