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Archives Bishop approves changes in faith formation office

Sept. 17, 2014

Ogdensburg – Bishop Terry R. LaValley has approved changes in the diocesan Department of Christian Formation which will now have a new name and a different organization of its offices and staff.

Since “faith formation” is the term currently used in many parts of the country for catechetical work, the diocesan office will now be known as the Department of Faith Formation.

After extensive consultation, the bishop has also approved the change from three regions for Christian Formation to two. The eastern region will include Clinton, Essex, Franklin and Adirondack Deaneries. The western region will include St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, and Hamilton-Herkimer Deaneries.

Pamela Ballantine will be the eastern regional director and Deacon Patrick Donohue the western regional director. The current three offices will remain open daily. Deacon Donohue will divide his time between the Ogdensburg and Watertown offices.

From the vicar for education
In an Aug. 26 letter to pastors of the diocese, Msgr. Robert H. Aucoin, explained the reasoning behind the changes:

“For many years, the Department of Christian Formation (previously the Department of Religious Education) has staffed three regional offices in Watertown, Ogdensburg, and Plattsburgh in addition to the central office in Ogdensburg. These regional offices began in the 1960's to offer catechetical services readily and more locally to the parishes.

“In those early years, there was a burgeoning of religious education materials, books, films, filmstrips, and many other teaching resources. These offices stocked these materials so that representatives from the parishes could review them in contemplation of purchasing them for their own programs.

“The world of media-centered materials has changed dramatically since those days. Filmstrips are nonexistent; inexpensive DVDs have replaced expensive 16mm films, PowerPoint presentations are routine, and the Internet is now the gateway to a cornucopia of the latest of teaching materials and support information. A few minutes on the Internet can gain information that would have taken hours to find in the past...

“Each of the three regional offices has been staffed with a secretary and a professional catechist. However, over time there have been transformations within the offices. The Diocesan Director of Christian Formation, St. Joseph Sister Ellen Rose Coughlin, is also the Superintendent of Catholic Schools. The Plattsburgh Regional Director is also charged with responsibilities in the Catholic schools. The Ogdensburg Regional Director also directs the Formation for Ministry Program. The Watertown Regional Director also has had responsibilities for various diocesan duties.

“The Department of Education and the Youth Office will continue to serve all schools and parishes in the diocese in this new structure without compromising efficiency,” Msgr. Aucoin said. “Mrs. Ballantine, Deacon Patrick, Deacon Brian Dwyer, director of youth ministry; Karen Donahue, assistant superintendent of schools; and Sister Ellen Rose commit themselves to working with you in the ministries of schools, faith formation, formation for ministry and youth ministry.”

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