Students in Pastoral Ministry Say Courses Provide Invaluable Support
Students involved in the Pastoral Ministry Course. 

The Office of Pastoral Ministry provides programs of formation and education in ministry. Through affiliation with Newman University in Wichita, KS, and Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, MO, our programs offer members of the Archdiocese the opportunity to earn BA and MA degrees in Pastoral Ministry, or an Archdiocesan Diploma in Pastoral Ministry. Our programs provide theological, pastoral, and ministerial education, supervised practice of ministry, as well as Formative Spirituality. Occasional seminars and short courses in pastoral ministry are offered in response to individual parish requests. In existence since 1983, these programs enable persons to respond to the call of Vatican II and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops calling for and encouraging the preparation and formation of laity for service in the Church and in the world. Efforts are in process to upgrade our technological capability in order to offer courses in more varied formats thus increasing accessibility to all parts of the Archdiocese.

To understand the value of our programs and the need for ongoing support, listen to the voices of our students and past participants. ADF support continues the work of the office, and many program costs. Students pay for their own tuition and books. Some parishes and programs do assist some students with these costs.

Having these programs within our Archdiocese gives adult Catholics the tremendous opportunity to interact with noted theologians and experts in many fields of study that foster ministry and would otherwise be unavailable to the average person. These programs encourage personal spiritual growth, an increased awareness of the richness and gift of Catholicism, and a sense of true connectedness to the universal Church.

Teri Everhart
OKC, MAPM

This program has some unique strengths. Not only does it provide sound theological teachings, it also have an ongoing spirituality component and concretely prepares one for ministry by offering a two-course practicum. Upon completion, the individual is well prepared to serve the Catholic Church as a lay minister.

Barbara Pontius
Tulsa, MAPM

In our journey of spiritual growth, we all experience passing through some stage of instability. This is often due to the fact we experience a new awakening or sudden growth in our desire to do more for Christ and the Church. The experience of growth often gives rise to searching for guidance and knowledge.

We need to know how to start the journey and to obtain training we need for this task. For me the Office of Pastoral Ministry has been a valuable teacher and guide on my journey. The classes and the experience gained by being with others on their journey has been a great blessing.  I’m very appreciative for the Office of Pastoral Ministry and the support of the ADF that makes this program possible.

Loyd Bickford
Guthrie

I will graduate this coming May with a Master’s in Pastoral Ministry (MAPM) from Aquinas Institute of Theology. The journey that I have taken, via this program, has allowed me to explore and develop my Catholic faith and my call from God to be in pastoral ministry. Through the MAPM program, I have been given the educational and theological background to be an effective and informed leader of the Church; and, I have received the gift of a deeper, richer and more gratifying spiritual life. My diploma will serve as the towel that I use in my ministry to “wash feet” for others.

Gail Bouknight
Edmond, MAPM

We appreciated the varied ways Pastoral Ministry classes were offered by the Archdiocese. Without their assistance, we would not have been able to complete the Pastoral Ministry program. The program helped deepen our appreciation of the teachings and traditions of the Church. We look forward to the day when these classes can be offered in Woodward, via video conferencing, so that the people in Northwest Oklahoma can learn more about the Catholic faith.

 Linda Gerber and Peggy Kitchens
Woodward

Being a mission in the far western tip of the Oklahoma Panhandle (we call ourselves the last Catholics in Oklahoma) it is almost impossible to take advantage of the programs offered down state. But as a mission, we the laity must play a large part in ministering to the needs of the people of our parish and our community.

We only needed to ask and the programs needed for our church to thrive and grow came to us through the ADF.

Sr. Diane Koorie and the featured speaker of the month traveled to us from January until June of 2003 with a series of seminars. We covered topics dealing with Senior Adult Ministry, Social Ministry, Death and Dying, Evangelization, and Ministering to Ministers. In February 2006, we are hosting a Day of Reflection for the women of Boise City with one of our seminar speakers returning to lead the program. This opportunity has helped us in many ways to not only meet the needs of our parish, but to serve our community as well.

Beth Hathaway
Boise City

The pastoral ministry classes are a life changing experience. Everytime I think I can’t possibly grow anymore, I do.

Cheryl Hill
OKC, MAPM

The Office of Pastoral Ministry provides the people of Northwest Oklahoma an opportunity to keep our focus on our religious education with the many class offerings that are made each year. This is a necessity for our growth in our ministries. I have been attending these classes during the last four years for part of my training as a deacon candidate for the Archdiocese. It is really nice to have Sister Diane taking care of our educational needs as we progress towards ordination. These classes help us keep in touch with Vatican II directives and help us get more of the laity involved in taking responsibility for the needs of our parishes.

The people of Woodward and all of northwest Oklahoma look forward to the upgrading of technological capabilities so that we may take more of the Pastoral Ministry classes by satellite. This would eliminate traveling three to four hours (one way) weekly. People taking these classes grow in knowledge of their faith and help other parishioners in their faith journey as well. Education for the laity is so very important. The seminars and short courses that the Pastoral Ministry Office has brought to Woodward and Guymon have been a huge benefit to several Parishes. We are so thankful for the opportunities that you have given us.

Karen and Phil Kenny
Woodward

As soon as we realized that there were classes available at the Pastoral Center about our faith, we worked to get into the program. When Gary was admitted to the Permanent Diaconate program, we decided to take the classes together and to make it a priority in our lives. We have not regretted it. We have learned so much more than we had expected from the classes, the teachers, and the other students. It has opened up our thirst for knowledge of our faith and how it affects our lives. How much more there is to learn!

We feel very privileged to have this opportunity available to us, especially in a geographical area that does not have a majority of Catholics. Except for what we could fit in from St. Gregory’s University, without these classes we would have been limited to long-distance learning which suffers from the lack of the give and take that is available in a full classroom. So, we are very grateful for these classes.

Charlotte and Gary Peterson
OKC

As a “cradle” Catholic of a certain age, I have seen many changes in the way the Church works. Trying to raise my own children in the faith has often been difficult. The availability of the training by the Office of Pastoral Ministry has been life changing for me. My first experiences beyond the family in teaching children came when I was asked to join the Sunday R E program in my parish. That was over 30 years ago. There were often books available and if a priest or sister had the time to be involved in the program they were helpful, but catechists always felt as if they were driving down God’s highway with the left blinker on. There was a direction but I was never sure I knew what it was. I always wanted to know more before I stepped in front of the children. I felt I was being asked to do what the Sisters in my Catholic grade school had done without knowing how they did it, sort of a freefall with prayer as a backup. Training with the Pastoral Ministry Program has given me the confidence and the credentials to be in that classroom. There is no less prayer and I do not always have the answers but I am confident that I can find out. Being a part of this ministry has become a life’s calling for me.

Danna Schweitzer
Calumet