“…we want diversity. We want the person on a fixed income, or a young person who still has college debt. Every person brings their own strengths.” – Kellie Deming, coordinator of Lay Ministry Services
Every year, the Catholic Community Foundation of Mid-Michigan’s Fr. Jeff Donor Fund pays the training costs for several area residents who seek to be commissioned lay minsters but cannot afford the expenses involved.
“This funding really makes a huge difference,” said Kellie Deming, coordinator of Lay Ministry Services for the diocese. “They can be a great asset to a parish. And we want diversity. We want the person on a fixed income, or a young person who still has college debt. Every person brings their own strengths.”
There are about 380 people across the Saginaw Diocese who are commissioned lay ministers or are partway through the four-year program to become one. Maintaining that number is only possible with the addition of about 20 new candidates per year, and ensuring that the pool is a diverse group, fully representative of the flock they serve, is only possible when anyone can take part, regardless of financial resources.