Thirty-eight people from 10 parishes came to St. Michael Church in Conrad Sept. 19-20 for the initial session of the 2008-2010 diocesan Program of Formation for Lay Ministers (PFLM).

Every parish in the Conrad deanery is represented among the participants. Peggy Newman from St. Richard Parish in Columbia Falls will hold the record for distance traveled to the program site, followed closely by Margaret Souza from Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish in East Helena.

Jim Tucker, interim PFLM director and presenter for the weekend, gave participants an orientation to the program Friday night, then on Saturday led them in a far-ranging overview of key concepts and methods in theological reflection. Icebreaker and illustrative exercises provided opportunities for participants to become acquainted with one another and some basic building blocks for their two-year course of studies.

The opening weekend, Tucker said, comes right at harvest time for parishes in the Golden Triangle area for Montana, and serves to “turn the earth” intellectually for participants looking to grow in their knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith.

The PFLM is intended and designed to provide registrants with a solid grounding and pastoral perspective in contemporary Roman Catholic theology. More than 500 people have successfully completed the program since its inauguration in 1982. Presenters include faculty from the Carroll College theology department, as well as priests and other ministry professionals from the Diocese of Helena.

Father Mike Poole, pastor of the host Conrad parish and St. William/Guardian Angel Catholic Community in Dutton and Power, sat in on the weekend sessions, along with Father Greg Lively, pastor of St. William Parish in Shelby and St. Thomas Aquinas Mission in Sunburst. The support and endorsement of one’s pastor is a prerequisite for PFLM enrollment.

Snacks and meals allowed participants to enjoy each other’s company, and lunch on Saturday featured fresh carrots and potatoes from Father Poole’s garden in the soups prepared and served by parishioners. Participants joined in the evening prayer and morning prayer of the Church to begin their time together on Friday and Saturday respectively.

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Published in The Montana Catholic Online, Volume 24, No. 10, October 17, 2008.


Click here for more information on the PFLM.