Diocese offers new and enhanced certificate program
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
The diocese is expanding its efforts to provide training and formation for persons serving in various areas of ministry through its new diocesan certificate program.
Set to begin Sept. 13, the new certificate program, which is expected to take two years to complete, now includes nine areas of ministry in which persons may pursue certificates through the dioceses: catechetical leadership; Catholic social services; diocesan tribunal advocacy; liturgy and music; marriage and family life; new evangelization and adult faith formation; pastoral care; Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults ministry, and youth ministry.
JoLynn Krempecki, associate director of the department of Lay Formation, explained that the decision to bring all of the certificate programs that were previously offered by various diocesan offices and ministries together under one umbrella and streamline the curriculum came at the behest of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Krempecki said that while it was Bishop O’Connell’s desire “to continue the good work that had been done in the past” with regard to the awarding of certificates of completion by the diocese, the bishop also felt that by streamlining the various certificate programs and developing one curriculum would help to ensure that all participants would receive instruction in theology that was “standardized” and would help to avoid any duplication of certificate requirements or course offerings.
Of the now nine areas of ministry in which persons could obtain certificates under the diocesan certificate program, four are new: Catholic social services, liturgy and music, new evangelization/adult faith formation and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The new program also replaces other certificate programs that had previously existed including: pastoral care, youth ministry, annulment advocacy, catechetical leadership and family ministry leadership.
Persons working toward a certificate will be exposed to a curriculum of “core” theology formation as well as “specialization” instruction in their chosen ministry, Krempecki explained.
The “core” elements of the certificate program will be delivered in two ways: through on-line courses through the University of Notre Dame Satellite Theological Education Program (STEP) program, which offers quality on-line theological education to pastoral ministers and other adult Catholics, as well as through in-person workshops that will be offered in the diocesan chancery in Lawrenceville and taught by a team of “ministry partners.” The “core” courses that are offered through STEP are “Introduction to the Catholic Faith,” "Vatican II" and "Christian Conscience" and are made available over the course of four-to-six-week cycles twice a year. STEP courses are scheduled by Notre Dame – http://step.nd.edu.
Learning from the Experts
Core courses, five hours in length, will be made available by the diocese, and include: “Sacraments/Liturgy” – History of the Mass;” “Sacraments/Liturgy – Documents of the Church;” “Introduction to Canon Law;” “Catholic Social Teaching;” “Foundations for Ministry – Multicultural Ministry/Ministry in the Parish Setting,” and “Foundations for Ministry – Introduction to Prayer and Spirituality.”
Through the “core” courses, Krempecki said that participants will receive a theologically grounded education based on the tenets covered in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The schedule of “core” course that be presented diocesan staff follows:
“Sacraments/Liturgy – History of the Mass” with Msgr. Sam Sirianni, pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold, and director of the diocesan Office of Worship. Msgr. Sirianni holds a bachelor’s degree from Juniata College, Huntington, Pa.; a master of arts degree in student personnel services from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and he prepared for the priesthood in Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington.
“Sacraments/Liturgy – Sacramental Theology” with Dr. Patricia Bartle, former director of the Paterson Diocesan Office of Worship. Dr. Bartle currently works in parish ministry in the Archdiocese of Newark and is an adjunct professor for La Salle University, Philadelphia. She has a master’s degree in catechetics and liturgy from St. Thomas University and a doctorate of ministry degree from the Consortium of Theological Schools, St. Paul Minn.
“Sacraments/Liturgy – Documents of the Church” with Father Douglas Freer, diocesan vicar for Catholic education. He received a bachelor’s degree from Susquehanna University, and a master of divinity degree and master of sacred theology from General Theological Seminary, New York, and a master’s degree from Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University, South Orange.
“Introduction to Canon Law” with Msgr. John K. Dermond, diocesan judicial vicar and an appointed member of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council. He recently completed terms as episcopal vicar for Mercer County and rector St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. He also serves as a canonical consultant on issues concerning ecumenism, marriage preparation, the diocesan consultative councils and cases concerning allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. He has assisted with immigration processes for priests and seminarians of the diocese since 2006, working closely with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., in Washington, D.C.
“Catholic Social Teaching” with Daughter of Charity Sister Joanne Dress, diocesan executive secretary for Catholic Social Services. Her primary responsibility is to serve the diocese and its stated mission in any established areas relating to Catholic social services. Sister Joanne holds a master’s degree in theology from the school of continuing education at Fairfield University and a certificate in Catholic Social Teaching from The Catholic University of American and Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice.
“Foundations for Ministry – Evangelization” with Jodie D’Angiolillo, director of the Metuchen Diocesan Office of Evangelization. Her experience includes work with children and youth, university level campus ministry, parish work, foreign missions and Hispanic ministry. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in theology.
“Foundations for Ministry – Multicultural Ministry” with Deanna Sass and “Foundations for Ministry in the Parish Setting” with Gary Maccaroni. Sass, who is director of the diocesan multicultural ministry, is a commissioned lay ecclesial minister, certified spiritual director and licensed counselor and psychotherapist with degrees in theology, pastoral ministry/pastoral counseling and clinical counseling psychology. Maccaroni holds a bachelor’s degree from The College of New Jersey, Ewing, a master’s degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and was commissioned a lay ecclesial minister in 2004. He has more than 20 years of ministry experience, including 16 years of parish ministry. He is a pastoral associate in St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville,
“Foundations for Ministry – Introduction to Prayer and Spirituality” with Dr. Dianne Traflet, associate dean and assistant professor of pastoral theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology at Seton Hall University, South Orange. She is also the founder and co-director of the seminary’s Institute for Christian Spirituality. She earned a juris doctor degree from Seton Hall University School of Law and her doctorate in sacred theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (The Angelicum), Rome. She is the author of “Edith Stein: A Spiritual Portrait,” published by Pauline Media in 2008.
Krempecki noted the certificate program’s five-hour “specialization” courses will be offered by the appropriate corresponding diocesan office, ministry or department. For instance, a person who is focusing on liturgy and music would receive their “specialization” training by the diocesan Office of Worship.
Certificate Program Logistics
To enroll in the diocesan certificate program, prospective participants are required to complete a written application form and provide a recommendation from their pastor. There are some offices and ministries that would also require in-person interviews. On average, Krempecki said it would take a participant two years to complete the program before he or she is awarded a certificate of completion by the department of lay formation.
Krempecki also noted that the new diocesan certificate program has no involvement with the diocesan Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry, which is a three-year program that provides for the spiritual, human, intellectual and pastoral formation of persons seeking to engage in professional ministry within the Church. While ILEM is a college degree-credit bearing program, the diocesan certificate program is not.
To learn more about the diocesan certificate program, contact Krempecki at 609-406-7436; fax: 609-406-7436; e-mail: [email protected]. Brochures for all certificates are available through the Department of Lay Formation and/or through the departments and offices representing the nine ministry areas. Details about the diocesan certificate program are available at: www.dioceseoftrenton.org/DCP.
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The diocese is expanding its efforts to provide training and formation for persons serving in various areas of ministry through its new diocesan certificate program.
Set to begin Sept. 13, the new certificate program, which is expected to take two years to complete, now includes nine areas of ministry in which persons may pursue certificates through the dioceses: catechetical leadership; Catholic social services; diocesan tribunal advocacy; liturgy and music; marriage and family life; new evangelization and adult faith formation; pastoral care; Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults ministry, and youth ministry.
JoLynn Krempecki, associate director of the department of Lay Formation, explained that the decision to bring all of the certificate programs that were previously offered by various diocesan offices and ministries together under one umbrella and streamline the curriculum came at the behest of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Krempecki said that while it was Bishop O’Connell’s desire “to continue the good work that had been done in the past” with regard to the awarding of certificates of completion by the diocese, the bishop also felt that by streamlining the various certificate programs and developing one curriculum would help to ensure that all participants would receive instruction in theology that was “standardized” and would help to avoid any duplication of certificate requirements or course offerings.
Of the now nine areas of ministry in which persons could obtain certificates under the diocesan certificate program, four are new: Catholic social services, liturgy and music, new evangelization/adult faith formation and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The new program also replaces other certificate programs that had previously existed including: pastoral care, youth ministry, annulment advocacy, catechetical leadership and family ministry leadership.
Persons working toward a certificate will be exposed to a curriculum of “core” theology formation as well as “specialization” instruction in their chosen ministry, Krempecki explained.
The “core” elements of the certificate program will be delivered in two ways: through on-line courses through the University of Notre Dame Satellite Theological Education Program (STEP) program, which offers quality on-line theological education to pastoral ministers and other adult Catholics, as well as through in-person workshops that will be offered in the diocesan chancery in Lawrenceville and taught by a team of “ministry partners.” The “core” courses that are offered through STEP are “Introduction to the Catholic Faith,” "Vatican II" and "Christian Conscience" and are made available over the course of four-to-six-week cycles twice a year. STEP courses are scheduled by Notre Dame – http://step.nd.edu.
Learning from the Experts
Core courses, five hours in length, will be made available by the diocese, and include: “Sacraments/Liturgy” – History of the Mass;” “Sacraments/Liturgy – Documents of the Church;” “Introduction to Canon Law;” “Catholic Social Teaching;” “Foundations for Ministry – Multicultural Ministry/Ministry in the Parish Setting,” and “Foundations for Ministry – Introduction to Prayer and Spirituality.”
Through the “core” courses, Krempecki said that participants will receive a theologically grounded education based on the tenets covered in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The schedule of “core” course that be presented diocesan staff follows:
“Sacraments/Liturgy – History of the Mass” with Msgr. Sam Sirianni, pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold, and director of the diocesan Office of Worship. Msgr. Sirianni holds a bachelor’s degree from Juniata College, Huntington, Pa.; a master of arts degree in student personnel services from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and he prepared for the priesthood in Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington.
“Sacraments/Liturgy – Sacramental Theology” with Dr. Patricia Bartle, former director of the Paterson Diocesan Office of Worship. Dr. Bartle currently works in parish ministry in the Archdiocese of Newark and is an adjunct professor for La Salle University, Philadelphia. She has a master’s degree in catechetics and liturgy from St. Thomas University and a doctorate of ministry degree from the Consortium of Theological Schools, St. Paul Minn.
“Sacraments/Liturgy – Documents of the Church” with Father Douglas Freer, diocesan vicar for Catholic education. He received a bachelor’s degree from Susquehanna University, and a master of divinity degree and master of sacred theology from General Theological Seminary, New York, and a master’s degree from Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University, South Orange.
“Introduction to Canon Law” with Msgr. John K. Dermond, diocesan judicial vicar and an appointed member of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council. He recently completed terms as episcopal vicar for Mercer County and rector St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. He also serves as a canonical consultant on issues concerning ecumenism, marriage preparation, the diocesan consultative councils and cases concerning allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. He has assisted with immigration processes for priests and seminarians of the diocese since 2006, working closely with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., in Washington, D.C.
“Catholic Social Teaching” with Daughter of Charity Sister Joanne Dress, diocesan executive secretary for Catholic Social Services. Her primary responsibility is to serve the diocese and its stated mission in any established areas relating to Catholic social services. Sister Joanne holds a master’s degree in theology from the school of continuing education at Fairfield University and a certificate in Catholic Social Teaching from The Catholic University of American and Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice.
“Foundations for Ministry – Evangelization” with Jodie D’Angiolillo, director of the Metuchen Diocesan Office of Evangelization. Her experience includes work with children and youth, university level campus ministry, parish work, foreign missions and Hispanic ministry. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in theology.
“Foundations for Ministry – Multicultural Ministry” with Deanna Sass and “Foundations for Ministry in the Parish Setting” with Gary Maccaroni. Sass, who is director of the diocesan multicultural ministry, is a commissioned lay ecclesial minister, certified spiritual director and licensed counselor and psychotherapist with degrees in theology, pastoral ministry/pastoral counseling and clinical counseling psychology. Maccaroni holds a bachelor’s degree from The College of New Jersey, Ewing, a master’s degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and was commissioned a lay ecclesial minister in 2004. He has more than 20 years of ministry experience, including 16 years of parish ministry. He is a pastoral associate in St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville,
“Foundations for Ministry – Introduction to Prayer and Spirituality” with Dr. Dianne Traflet, associate dean and assistant professor of pastoral theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology at Seton Hall University, South Orange. She is also the founder and co-director of the seminary’s Institute for Christian Spirituality. She earned a juris doctor degree from Seton Hall University School of Law and her doctorate in sacred theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (The Angelicum), Rome. She is the author of “Edith Stein: A Spiritual Portrait,” published by Pauline Media in 2008.
Krempecki noted the certificate program’s five-hour “specialization” courses will be offered by the appropriate corresponding diocesan office, ministry or department. For instance, a person who is focusing on liturgy and music would receive their “specialization” training by the diocesan Office of Worship.
Certificate Program Logistics
To enroll in the diocesan certificate program, prospective participants are required to complete a written application form and provide a recommendation from their pastor. There are some offices and ministries that would also require in-person interviews. On average, Krempecki said it would take a participant two years to complete the program before he or she is awarded a certificate of completion by the department of lay formation.
Krempecki also noted that the new diocesan certificate program has no involvement with the diocesan Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry, which is a three-year program that provides for the spiritual, human, intellectual and pastoral formation of persons seeking to engage in professional ministry within the Church. While ILEM is a college degree-credit bearing program, the diocesan certificate program is not.
To learn more about the diocesan certificate program, contact Krempecki at 609-406-7436; fax: 609-406-7436; e-mail: [email protected]. Brochures for all certificates are available through the Department of Lay Formation and/or through the departments and offices representing the nine ministry areas. Details about the diocesan certificate program are available at: www.dioceseoftrenton.org/DCP.
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