March 5, 2025

Parishes have recently been engaged in planning for the day when more parish linkages must occur.
With fewer priests, there is a greater need than ever for the lay faithful to step up into leadership roles in parishes. Pope Francis, on June 17, 2016 spoke about this need:

“We need well-formed lay people, animated by a sincere and clear faith, whose life has been touched by the personal and merciful love of Christ … we need lay people who take risks, who get their hands dirty, who are not afraid to make mistakes, who have a vision of the future …”

There is an opportunity for parishes to support this need. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Watertown established a foundation to support the development of lay leaders willing to “get their hands dirty.” The Sisters’ charism is one of unity, reconciliation and the living of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy for the “dear neighbor.”
Grants of up to $4,000 can be awarded to sponsoring organizations that support leadership training, existing programs as well as new programming.

Grants have been awarded to parishes to help support the formation of deacons and candidates in the Formation For Ministry program. Another grant allowed a Catholic school principal to attend an Executive Leadership Academy at Boston College. North Country Cursillo received a grant as did the diocesan office of the New Evangelization. The Faith Formation office received a grant to support training of catechists in parish programs.

If you or someone you know is currently active in a leadership role in a diocesan parish, school or established program or is in training for such, requests for applications may be obtained by contacting Sister Ellen Rose Coughlin, SSJ at 315-778-9679 or by email at SSJFoundationChairperson@gmail.com.

Applications must be submitted no later than May 16, 2025. Recipients will be notified in June.