Structure

To allow for more on-site support and to allow better diocesan knowledge of faith development in parishes, the Secretariat for Faith Development has been restructured.

The Faith Development Office is composed of four Diocesan Faith Development Field Staff and a Coordinatior of Faith Development, all under the Office of the Bishop. Each of the Field Representatives works 15 hours a week and receives a stipend from the diocese for their efforts.

Each of the four staff members are responsible for two vicariates and will meet with catechetical leaders in their vicariates. They will provide support and continuing education. The four staff persons will submit a report to the diocesan coordinator of their parish visits and parish contacts as well as any educational endeavors they have offered. They will note any concerns which have been met and any further help needed by parish personnel. The persons in this structure will continue the diocesan programs such as Catechist Day, Senior High Youth Rally, Junior High Youth Rally and the Christian Leadership Institute.

The new structure was shared with the priests of the diocese at their recent convocation and then to all parish religious leaders on September 30, 2006.

The members of the former ad hoc committee will meet quarterly with Bishop Cooney as the Diocesan Faith Development Council.

Hopefully all these efforts will bear fruit in more spiritually profitable parish and diocesan programs and will allow for better communication between parishes and the diocese.

Organizational Chart

Click on the link below to view the organizational chart for Faith Development in the Diocese of Gaylord.

Organizational Chart

Faith Development Council

The Faith Development Council meets four times a year with the Bishop to help guide the Faith Development efforts of the Diocese. Members of the council include:

Judy Olsen,                  Chair                                    St. Mary, Mio
Deacon Paul Fifer,      Secretary                             St. Francis, Petoskey
Sr. Arlene Bennett,      Diocese
Dannie Brzezinski,      Diocese
Glen Painter,                Diocesan Field Staff          Holy Family, Klacking Creek
Pattie Rioux,                 Diocesan Field Staff          Holy Family, East Tawas
Susan Noble,             Diocesan Field Staff          St. Mary, Hannah
Pattie Furtaw,               St. Matthew/St. Augustine, Boyne City/Boyne Falls
Anita Sanborn,             St. Joseph,                           West Branch
Denise Elsenheimer,Christ the King,                    Acme
Bill Morford,                  St. John the Baptist,           Alpena
Mary Mills,                     St. Francis,                          Traverse City
Stacey Popp,                St. Patrick,                            Traverse City