Father George Dalton is looking into the not-so-distant future when there will be fewer priests and a greater need for lay leaders in ministry.
So the administrator of St. Irenaeus Parish in Oakmont is investing in leadership development, sending three staff members to training sponsored by the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
“We are equipping people for the mission,” Father Dalton said. “Ministry was once regarded as the sole domain of priests and sisters. We’ve already moved beyond that, but now as never before we need trained lay leaders to help coordinate ministries, activities and outreach in our parishes.”
The board of Our Campaign for The Church Alive! has approved a grant to help fund the Good Leaders, Good Shepherds leadership development program for clergy and the Tending the Talents companion course for lay staff and pastoral council members.
Both programs are vital for implementation of On Mission for The Church Alive!, the diocesan-wide planning initiative designed to help our faith communities grow and become more vibrant.
Steve Swank, coordinator of religious education and youth minister at St. Malachy Parish in Kennedy Township, has applied many of the skills he learned.
“I liked how the teachers always cited Jesus as an example,” Swank said. “They showed how he used a particular leadership skill.”
Beth Jesserer participated in Tending the Talents as a staff member at St. Thomas More Parish in Bethel Park.
“We went as a staff, which was beneficial,” said Jesserer, now the director for religious education at St. Benedict the Abbot Parish in Peters Township. “We learned how to connect with people one-on-one and parish-wide, understanding how others think and work, and how to best manage our time.”
Deacon Anthony Giordano of St. John the Baptist Parish in Monaca said he came to understand the importance of “letting go.”
“Sometimes we can think that a particular ministry is ‘our baby,’ but we need to help nurture the gifts that God gives to all of us,” Deacon Giordano said.
“In the Diocese of Pittsburgh, we have been blessed with priests who understand the need to live and promote a spirituality of communion and participation,” said Father Joseph Mele, diocesan secretary for leadership development. “As Good Shepherds with the heart of Christ, many of our priests are committed to leading parishes of missionary disciples around Jesus Christ where arises the attitude of openness, dialogue and real participation of all the faithful, inspired by the new commandment of love recorded in John 13:35.”
Sharon Hachman, diocesan director for lay ministries, noted that priests can no longer do everything themselves, therefore lay leaders are encouraged to take part in Tending the Talents after their pastor has completed Good Leaders, Good Shepherds.
“Laity can be empowered and support the pastor in his role,” Hachman said. “This also makes lay people better leaders.”
The programs include how to give effective feedback, decision-making, problem-solving and conflict resolution.
Participants also learn their own leadership behavior styles, how to create a vision for a role, and leading teams.
Virginia Samosky, youth minister at St. Blaise Parish in Midland, liked the lessons on goal-setting and the Gospel accounts of Christ leading the people.
“We look to Jesus for His example of leadership,” Samosky said. “It was an invaluable part of my training.”
Father John Skirtich, pastor of St. Maurice Parish in Forest Hills, has sent three staffers to Tending the Talents and another will begin the program next month.
“It has helped us to be on the same page,” Father Skirtich said. “It’s beneficial in parish planning, and we now work better together.”
