By EMMALEE ITALIA
Contributing Editor
Lisa Ann Limongello wears many parish catechetical leader hats. She began serving as PCL in July 2020 for the Catholic Community of Hopewell Valley Parishes: St. James, Pennington; St. Alphonsus, Hopewell; and St. George, Titusville. Just a year ago in August, she added to that a PCL position in her home parish of St. Luke, Toms River. But her experience as a catechist goes all the way back to high school, when she served as a program assistant in the office of religious education at St. Luke’s.
“I assisted Sister Peggy Russell and Teri Frassetto, both now former religious education directors of St. Luke, who taught me so much about my faith and gave me a wonderful experience growing up [here],” said Limongello.
It was that history of dedication, in part, that led to Limongello’s selection as the 2024 recipient of the “Chick” McGinty Award for Excellence in Catechetical Ministry. Limongello was recognized during the annual Parish Catechetical Leaders Convocation Sept. 5 at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Farmingdale, an event that brought together some 64 parish catechetical leaders, who oversee parish religious education programs.
“I was extremely surprised to learn that I had been nominated … let alone named this year’s recipient,” Limongello said. “I have seen such strong women in leadership receive this award. … It is an honor to be named. I am absolutely in awe and humbled, and it makes it that much sweeter to know that both pastors in the parishes I serve nominated me for this achievement.”
Lasting Legacy
Named after Rosemarie “Chick” McGinty, first laywoman to serve in a diocesan position as director of the Office of Religious Education, the award is bestowed annually by the office on an outstanding catechetical leader. McGinty joined the Diocesan Chancery staff in 1976 as associate director of the Office of Religious Education for 12 years before she was named office director, a position in which she served for 15 years. She died in 2021 at age 94.
“I never had the opportunity to meet Chick, but from what I’ve heard from my peers who did know her, she was a strong force in ministry,” Limongello said. “She made a lot of strides for women and laypeople in ministry. She has left a legacy for all of us — to strive to be forward-thinking and to meet families where they are.”
Program Oversight
After earning her bachelor’s degree in theology and political science in 2018 from Loyola University Maryland, Limongello followed up with a master’s in theology studies in 2020, graduating during the COVID-19 pandemic. When Limongello inquired about openings in the Diocese of Trenton, Denise Contino, director of the Department of Catechesis, put her in touch with Msgr. Michael Walsh, then-pastor of the three-parish Hopewell Valley community. There, just under 300 students are enrolled in the religious education program.
“I also oversee our IGNITE Youth Group that has about 30 teens, and I run our OCIA and Adult Faith Formation programs,” Limongello said.
St. Luke Parish serves about 250 students, where Limongello mainly oversees religious education and large-scale family events. Both parish communities offer full-year catechesis and one-week summer intensive programs, catering to families who prefer one over the other.
“Between the multiple parishes I serve, I work with some phenomenal administrative assistants and business managers,” she said. “I currently supervise about 45 catechists between religious education, OCIA and adult faith formation, with another 30 volunteers, classroom aides and assistants. I could not do my work without the service of many other hands.”
Necessity of Catechesis
Catechesis, Limongello stressed, “is the bridge that connects humankind with their greatest, strongest, and most important friendship. The relationship that we each have with God is pivotal in forming who we will become in the world and how we will treat one another.”
Learning through religious education and being introduced to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit provides what is needed to live in fullness with God, she added, and forming people in Catholic faith and tradition shows it to the world.
“When people understand that they are made in the image of God, they believe in themselves and lead with love and compassion,” Limongello said. “Through a nurtured relationship with Jesus and a strong prayer life, we can overcome obstacles and face challenging moments. Catechesis offers people the chance to equip themselves with the power of prayer, the joy of faith and the willingness to answer the call to serve generations to come.”
The diocesan Department of Catechesis staff Denise Contino, center, director, and Michelle Angelo Santoro, associate director, right, pose for a photo with Lisa Ann Limongello, this year’s “Chick” McGinty Award for Excellence in Catechetical Ministry recipient. Mike Ehrmann photo