Gala benefits lay minister formation program
SALT LAKE CITY — An evening of Vegas-style games, conversation and live music provided not only a chance for fun and socializing but also recognition and fundraising.
The Second Annual Gala Congar on Aug. 11 benefited the Congar Institute for Ministry Development, which provides resources for the formation of lay ministers. The San Antonio-based institute "was formed out of a concern that ministry is changing in the Catholic Church. It’s changing because the Church has re-emphasized the role of the baptized person in the Church – that we all share equal responsibility for that mission, even though the way we live out that responsibility differs," said Dominican Father Wayne Cavalier, the institute’s director.
Professionals from the Congar Institute have been visiting the Diocese of Salt Lake City since 2007. They have led presentations for the Lay Ecclesial Ministry formation programs in both Spanish and English, and also retreats for other Catholics. These services are provided at a subsidized rate, Fr. Cavalier said, so the Gala Congar helps the institute continue its work.
In 2010 the first cadre of lay ecclesial ministers was certified in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Currently the diocese has two others – one in English, the other in Spanish – finishing the second year of the program. (See story, right.)
When Fr. Cavalier and others from the Congar Institute first visited Utah, they noticed a tremendous number of Spanish-speaking laypeople who were willing to undertake leadership roles in their Church community, Fr. Cavalier said. Maria Cruz Gray, director of Hispanic Ministries for the diocese, worked with the institute to provide a program for Spanish-speaking lay ministers "who are called by God to minister in the Diocese of Salt Lake City so they will have the formation that they seek and deserve to do that work," he said, adding that, as the Emaus program enters its third year, none of the participants has dropped out.
At the Gala Congar, John and Jean Henkels were presented with the Yves Congar Award, which recognizes those who provide faithful service to the Church.
The presentation was made by Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, the diocese’s vicar general emeritus and also the first recipient of the award.
"I have known Jean and John for many, many years," Msgr. Fitzgerald said. "I don’t know when I first met them. They’re the kind of people who you always knew, and you always knew them because you always saw their footprint wherever you went throughout the diocese."
The Henkels have been very supportive of a variety of arts in Utah over the years, as well as very committed to the diocese, Catholic Community Services, Judge Memorial Catholic High School, lay ecclesial ministry, and the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulcher, Msgr. Fitzgerald said. Also, they have provided statues of angels and saints in a number of parishes, especially the missions, he said.
"If you travel around you’ll see some beautiful statues, and there won’t be any big plaque on them saying where they came from, but John and Jean were the ones who delivered those and made sure they were there to give witness to the faith in so many little corners and so many little ways," Msgr. Fitzgerald said.
Most significantly, the Henkels have given the witness of faith in their family, educating their children in Catholic schools and providing an example of lives of faithfulness and devotion, Msgr. Fitzgerald said. "I think we see that marvelous gift of the spirit in their children and in their grandchildren reflected today. They have been a tremendous power of good in so many of our lives."
As a special gift, Ernie Northway played the song "Whispering Hope" on the clarinet, and Paul Frederick sang the melody, which is one of John Henkels’ favorites.
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