Last weekend, on November 15th, Leah and Julie (me) attended an information session for the shiny, new lay ministry program that Bishop Galante (etc.) is initiating. It was held at Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in Absecon, which happens to be the parish in which I was raised and received the sacraments. The introductory session, led by Roseann Quinn (yet another undercover "sister" who works for the diocese) was rather dry. I was expecting more information on the broader vision for the lay ministry program; you know, how they intend to implement it in the long run. But almost nothing was said about this. (Other than that the requisite, "we want more vibrant and dynamic parishes.") Instead they focused on the various degree and certificate programs affiliated with the College of St. Elizabeth and Georgian Court.

$$$

But no information was given about the programs before discussing money. What we did get, to my surprise, was a commercial advertisement. Literally. Roseann broke down the cost of the courses/program various times, each time emphasizing how cheap it is. I believe she even used the word, "cheap." I felt like I was witnessing one of those infomercials you see on tv late at night. It was a bargain basement sale. Roseann Quinn literally said that the tuition costs were "83% off." But wait! There's more! They even pushed up the application deadline from the one printed in the booklet, you know, in the spirit of "Don't delay, act NOW! This is a limited time offer!" The application date is now December 15th for the diocese (and as I recall December 5th for the graduate program at Georgian Court). Frankly, I was disgusted with the manner of the presentation. These people weren't attending because they were interested in purchasing Ginsu Knives.

While I appreciate the fact that the schools and diocese are going to such great lengths to make these programs affordable, on the other hand I personally would have emphasized the quality of the program and degrees the students would be receiving, the excellent professors and curricula, and the overall vision, with the ultimate affordability making said program a realistic option for those interested. When you initiate an educational program, the number one thing to put out there, to my mind, would not be, "Do this! It's cheap!" Again, I quote,

"If you feel the energy of the spirit working in you, keep up that energy. Don't delay. You'll never get a better bargain."

Two Thoughts

I came away from the information session with two distinct thoughts.

1. I don't think that the Diocese of Camden was being honest in its presentation of the program(s) and their overall intentions of, essentially, replacing priests with "lay ministers." Since I already have a Masters in Religion, the importance of study and knowing one's faith (as well as others) is not something that's lost on me. I do think it's important for all Catholics to better know and understand the Faith. It was interesting and quite telling, though, that Roseann claimed that six points "percolated up from the Speak Up Sessions" that "we as Church developed." The "diocese heard loud and clear that we as laity need to be empowered and educated." Well, what they "heard" is neither here nor there, since they hear what they want to hear. (I'm sure they also heard, "Close my church! Please!") Anyway, she listed these six percolations as:

    1. Liturgy
    2. Lay ministry
    3. Youth/young adult ministry
    4. Priestly vocations
    5. Lifelong formation
    6. Compassionate outreach

She then went on to say that senior ministry was just added, since "it wasn't anywhere except for housing." (Housing. Ha ha, she said it, I didn't...) She also said that consultants were brought in for families, youth, and RE (lifelong faith formation). In other words, Roseann went over every point...except priestly vocations. What, pray tell Roseann, is the diocese planning to do to ENCOURAGE (not DIScourage) priestly vocations??? Is there no fancy, high-paid consultant you can hire to solve that problem? (Or maybe they already have, and the consultant advised them to send priests away, because with every priest you get rid of you get three new ones somehow?) I myself find it remarkable that the laity's outcry for priestly vocations even got onto the actual list, considering the bishop's and his cronies' poor listening skills.

In any case, if you plan on applying for one of these certificate or degree programs, be prepared to be "empowered." Peace, man, power to the people! Be free. Liberate yourselves, dudes. Be assured that this program will "allow more pastoral time for priests." Yeah, a whooollllle lot more pastoral time. It's called retirement.

2. On the face of it, though, the Georgian Court program appears acceptable. I must say that I was impressed with the woman who came from Georgian Court who, after we went to smaller groups, discussed the graduate program. She was very nice and entertained all manner of questions in a professional manner. I have no idea the quality or content or "Catholicity" of the Georgian Court theology program, although I did have a younger relative graduate from that school recently in a different field. I believe she liked the school overall despite some difficulties here and there. However her degree is not in theology.

What's more in question, I think, is what the Diocese of Camden plans on doing with recipients of the degrees and what it does not do to increase religious or priestly vocations.  What we have to fear is how our current bishop and his "administration" plan on changing the Church as we know it.

Remarks Interesting Or Disturbing

First, the more or less disturbing things.

"Prayer"
The day started out with "prayer," although it was no prayer that I would recognize as Catholic. As it turned out, it was not Catholic at all. Roseann had obtained a "prayer" written by well known Biblical scholar Walter Brueggemann, ordained pastor in the liberal United Church of Christ. She made a point of saying what a fan she is of Dr. Brueggemann. Of course there was no Sign of the Cross, and naturally no other "formula" prayers you and I would be familiar with. There was certainly no talk of the saints, angels, or the Blessed Mother of God. Here it is:

An Answering and Refusing

We confess you to be a God who calls,
                                           who wills,
                                           who summons,
                                           who has concrete intentions for your creation,
                                           and addresses human agents who do your will.
We imagine ourselves called by you...
        Yet a strange lot:
                 called but cowardly,
                 obedient but self-indulgent,
                 devoted to you, but otherwise preoccupied.
In our strange mix an answering and refusing,
          We give thanks for your call.
          We pray this day,
                for ourselves, fresh vision;
                for our friends, great courage,
                for theological students
                         in places more dangerous than ours,
                                                 deep freedom.
As we seek to answer your call, may we be haunted by your large purposes,
We pray in the name of the utterly called Jesus. Amen.

Well, I could comment quite a bit on this prayer, my fellow "human agents," but my "fresh vision" and limited space disallows me. Just one thing though: Although I call the Third Person of the Holy Trinity the "Holy Ghost," I never imagined that He "haunted" me. Kind of bizarre. There were also a few moments of ummm...what did she call it...centering prayer? As a closing "prayer," they read the mission statement for the Diocese of Camden. Needless to say I skipped out on that and went to visit Our Lord in the church for a few minutes. I came back toward the end of the mission statement prayer recitation.

That Ol' Time Religion Ain't Our Religion?
Roseann also said that if the last religious education was that which you experienced in the 1950s, you need an update. The implication was decidedly that if your initial religious education and formation as a young Catholic occurred prior to Vatican II, you need a faith update. I personally found this shocking, because the Faith is eternal and, of course, does not change.

And finally, a couple of things I found interesting.

1. The person sitting next to us saw my St. Mary's Malaga shirt under my jacket and asked us how the efforts were going. She seemed depressed about what she saw as the immanent closure of her church, which is currently categorized as a "secondary worship site." Apparently no one at her church believes the nonsense about "worship sites" and is of the mind that their beautiful, historical church will ultimately be closed.

2. Several in the group asked Roseann questions related to the merger situation. One asked about their current pastor letter of recommendation would suffice; one asked whether, once they got the degree, they would be ministering at their current church if it was slated for merger; and one asked if they would actually be put to use in the newly constructed diocese if they went through all the effort of obtaining a degree. In response, Roseann answered, "Priest conveners have no authority until the new parish is actually established, and that will be a ways off." She also said, "If you are recommended by your pastor then you would work in your current ministry....but there is no guarantee."

3. The Diocese of Camden has apparently hired a man named Travis Lawmaster who is originally from the Archdiocese of Newark, which as many of us know is in just fabulous shape. (?!?!) He was at the information session. Travis was hired to do youth and young adult ministry so that we may have "vibrant, faith filled communities," "a seamless garment of formation," and "relational ministry." Though he's probably a nice enough guy, I have no idea what he was talking about, but wish him the best of luck with his garment and relational vibrancy and whatnot.