By Eric Connolly

Thirty-two people from nine parishes and two missions gathered at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Conrad this spring, and received certificates of completion after studying in the Program of Formation for Lay Ministers, or PFLM.

Bishop George Leo Thomas presented the certificates on April 17.

In the Diocese of Helena, PFLM has been in place since 1982. The program offers a foundation in Roman Catholic theology and pastoral practice for laypersons wishing to serve the Church through nonordained ministry. PFLM is for adults seeking deeper knowledge of their faith, and a stronger relationship with the Church.

Areas of study include ministry and theological reflection, Christian spirituality, the sacraments, moral theology and canon law. Many other areas of the Catholic theological tradition also are covered.

For the 32 people who received certificates last month, the two-year program that took place in the Conrad Deanery ended with a prayer service and a talk by Bishop Thomas, followed by lunch at the Conrad church.

“You’ve been given a very solid ecclesial foundation and you are well prepared to help other people encounter the Lord directly and to know the treasures of the Church,” Bishop Thomas said in addressing the 32 graduates. “You have been introduced to such a rich and wide array of Church teaching and sacred tradition.” The bishop said his hope is that “this is just the beginning–that you will become lifelong students of the Church.”

John Fencik, PFLM director for the Diocese of Helena, said the graduation was “a great conclusion. I know the folks up there are very disappointed that it’s over.”


Graduates and their parishes included:

    • Little Flower, Browning:
    • Carol “Penny” Bird, Rose Bull Child, Mary DesRosier, June LeMieux, Bonnie Matt, Tracy Tatsey, Bernadette Trombley, Ilona Vaile
    • Guardian Angel Mission, Power:
    • Johanna Mellinger; David Raba; St. John the Evangelist, Fairfield: Joel McHale
    • St. Joseph, Choteau:
    • Karla Davidson, Michael Muñoz, Lisa Pieper Stott, Cynthia Rice
    • St. Margaret, Cut Bank:
    • Jean Higgins, Juanita Meeks, Landis Meeks, Margo Meyer, Joanne Zenzius
    • St. Matthias Mission, Augusta:
    • Kelly Troy, Linda Wolfe
    • St. Michael, Conrad:
    • Mary Elkins, Dan Picard, Marliss Picard
    • St. Richard, Columbia Falls:
    • Margaret Newman
    • St. William, Dutton:
    • Frank Loch, Marie Loch
    • St. William Shelby:
    • Barbara Iverson, Ann Morren, Lore Sisk
    • Ss. Cyril and Methodius, East Helena:
    • Margaret Souza


This PFLM program was the last led by former Catholic Formation Services Director Jim Tucker Sr., who semi-retired in 2008.

The next PFLM class begins in September and will be at St. Ann Parish in Butte. Over a span of two years, participants will meet for 16, weekend-long sessions.

Obtaining up to 12 undergraduate credits from Carroll College is an option. Besides participating in the sessions, participants seeking academic credit must write a brief reflection after each of those sessions and undertake additional reading.

Fencik said both the individuals and local parish communities benefit from this particular formation program. More information about PFLM is available from Fencik at 800-584-8914, or by e-mail to jfencik@diocesehelena.org.


Published in The Montana Catholic Online, Volume 26, No. 5, May 21, 2010.


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