Two women complete Ecclesial Lay Ministry formation program
Standing with Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, vicar general, in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis on May 14 are Paula Slinger, left, and Darlene Cole, right, the most recent graduates of the archdiocese’s Ecclesial Lay Ministry formation program. (Photo by Kamilla Benko)
By Kamilla Benko
After hundreds of hours and thousands of miles, two women received a certificate and an archdiocesan lapel pin for completing the Ecclesial Lay Ministry (ELM) formation program.
Family and friends surrounded Darlene Cole and Paula Slinger at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis as they were honored during a prayer service on May 14.
Cole is a pastoral associate at St. Michael Parish in Bradford. Slinger is the music director at Holy Spirit Parish in Indianapolis.
ELM, a program led by Edward Isakson, archdiocesan director of human resources, and Marcia Hodde, associate director of lay programs at Saint Meinrad School of Theology, provides theological, spiritual and pastoral formation for lay ministers in the dioceses of Lafayette and Evansville and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
Participants attend many retreats and workshops in different locations throughout Indiana. Saint Meinrad School of Theology provides the instructors and leadership for most of the required elements of the program.
Isakson addressed the women, and said that the ceremony had two purposes.
“In addition to recognizing your hard work over many years in the lay ministry foundation program,” he said, “today is about sending you forth for many years of continued service to the Church.”
After the ceremony, Slinger’s eyes brimmed with tears, but she said they were tears of joy.
“Getting to know people in the archdiocese,” Slinger said, “and seeing how we all are working together to reach out to everyone is wonderful.”
Cole said she traveled 25,000 miles over her eight years in the program. While the program was a lot of hard work, she said, ultimately her faith was strengthened.
“I participated in ELM so I would be better prepared to serve others,” Cole said.
With her new understanding of the Church, Cole said she hopes to put her knowledge to work by developing programs at St. Michael Parish.
Slinger said she took the classes in order to become closer with the Scriptures. She said she looks forward to putting her learning into action by sharing Scripture with others.
Isakson referenced Scripture to describe the impact that Slinger and Cole have had on the community.
“As the reading from Romans 16 says so well, the greatest treasure is the people,” he said. “We are blessed by the people we minister to and the people we minister with. Paula [Slinger] and Darlene [Cole], the Church has been blessed by your devotion.”
(For more information about ELM, log on to www.archindy.org/layministry or call 317-236-7325 or 800-382-9836, ext. 7325.) †
