Inspiring Stories

Using my Imagination

My name is Deb Larson. Over the years our family has moved a lot as my husband travels with his job. Wherever we’ve lived, I’ve always appreciated how our local Church has been a place of hospitality for us.

I guess that’s why I started volunteering years ago in youth religious education/ministry programs and today serve as the full time Director of Faith Formation for St. Joseph’s Parish where we worship in Montevideo, Minnesota.

I feel privileged to help young people and their families learn more about their faith and help them see and experience God’s presence in their lives. I feel it’s important that the families I work with are confident that the lay ministers working with them are professionally competent in their jobs. This is why I am enrolled as a full-time graduate student at Saint John’s School of Theology·Seminary and why I was proud to be among the first group of lay ecclesial ministers to receive official certification from the Catholic Church, a process that Saint John’s School of Theology·Seminary played a leadership role in establishing in Minnesota.

One of the things I love about Saint John’s is how the faculty encourages us to use our imagination in learning about our Church’s history and Christian traditions. This has been a perfect environment for me since I tend to be a creative person by nature. I’ve come to truly appreciate how our Catholic faith uses the symbols inherent in the sacraments to bring people into full communion with God.

I want to thank the people who give to the School of Theology·Seminary.  I can’t tell you what a strong message their generosity sends to people like me who labor in small rural communities and wonder whether anyone really cares about the work we are doing in the Church. 

She Simply has a Gift

Fr. Jim Devorak is the pastor for St. Joseph’s Parish.  "I’ve always worked in small rural communities and know the value of lay ministers and their contribution to the mission of our Church.  I’m so grateful that Deb is studying at Saint John’s.  She simply has a gift for relating to young people. Since Deb enrolled at Saint John’s, I’ve seen how excited she is to apply the sound theology she is learning to her ministry every day.  No where is this more evident than in Deb’s teaching the sacraments to both young and old alike in our inter-generational faith formation program. She is clearly in her element as she brings the sacraments to life for the children and adults in her classes.  I, too, am grateful to people who support Saint John’s School of Theology·Seminary."

For more information: 

Grace Ellens, Development Director
320-363-2551
gellens@csbsju.edu

Last updated: 4/29/08 RB

Saint John's School of Theology·Seminary
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