Two lay ecclesial ministers receive master's degree in pastoral studies

Friday, May. 16, 2014

SALT LAKE CITY — Tami Bernstein and Pam Avery participated in a graduation ceremony at Catholic Theology Union in Chicago May 15 and received master’s degrees in art and pastoral studies. 

Both women began the master’s program in 2009. They were among the 20 men and women in the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s first class of lay ecclesial ministers to graduate from the four-year online program offered through the University of Notre Dame.

Bernstein is the director of religious education at Saint Thomas More Parish, while Avery is the director of religious education and RCIA at Saint Ambrose Parish.

Bernstein’s journey began 20 years ago when she became a catechist at St. Thomas More; she has been the DRE for 12 years. 

“The Lay Ecclesial Program led me to CTU,” she said. “It’s a small college but has some prestigious professors who were biblical scholars,” among them Donald Seniore, editor of the American Catholic Bible; and Dominican Sister Barbara Reid, author of several books.

The courses were online, but every summer Bernstein and Avery went to Chicago for a couple of weeks of on-campus classes, “which were really helpful,” Bernstein said. “We had no free time; we were in class all day, had retreats, met with counselors, had papers to write and reading that was astronomical.” 

A key factor for Bernstein in pursuing her degree is adult education; she learned from a professor that the Catholic Church does it backwards. 

“We bless the adults and teach the children, but Jesus taught the adults and blessed the children,” she said. “What we teach the children needs to be practiced in the home, and that doesn’t always happen. I feel adult education is key and I would hope that somehow more programs can be developed to nurture that idea.”

Jesuit Father Paul McCarthy, St. Thomas More parochial vicar, served as Bernstein’s mentor. 

“I really struggled that first year and had it not been for Fr. Paul, I don’t know if I could have continued,” she said. “He was a tremendous guidance and help.” 

“I have known Tami for quite a long time; she is a very diligent worker and has used her many talents in service of the parish,” said Fr. McCarthy. “I have seen her develop her skills in both pastoral work and religious education, in particular, in her studies leading to her master’s degree. … I’ve been truly impressed by the progress she has made, while being DRE and in charge of decorating for liturgical feasts, a wife and mother. In addition, she has shown herself to be a diligent member of the Church, with a strong ecumenical sense.” 

Avery was happy to have Bernstein as a companion on her journey, she said. 

“I would have never been able to do it alone,” said Avery, who has been in religious education for 40 years. “It was wonderful to have somebody to talk to and collaborate with.”

The MAPS program has given Avery a broader vision of the cultural aspect of the Catholic Church, she said. “We were educated in every course on the world Church, and what we look like as the total community of God, and how people in different cultures worship and need to be respected and encouraged; there isn’t just one way to worship. There certainly is a correct liturgical way, but by inviting the cultural diversity into that act of liturgy, it could be exciting for the local community to see.” 

Avery’s final project required her to put her education into practice, she said. As an evangelization tool, she resurrected a neighborhood program that she hopes will make the 1,200-family St. Ambrose community more social and seem smaller. 

Avery divided the parish families into  groups of 10 to 12 households and called it the Neighborhood Network Connection, she said. “There will be one person appointed as a contact who will pass on information for a parish or community gathering to just basically keep in touch with people and to do some faith sharing.” 

Avery also would like to continue her involvement with adult education and RCIA. “It’s so fun to go on these journeys with people every year,” she said.

Father Andrzej Skrzypiec, pastor, congratulated Avery on her success. “It is wonderful that she was able to accomplish this while also working full time as the DRE; it took a lot of dedication, energy and time,” he said.