Office of Evangelization and Catechesis: Grants & Scholarships

The Sister Eileen Flanagan Scholarship

This scholarship is named after Sister Eileen Flanagan, CND who served as a staff member of the Office of Religious Education and ministered in the area of leadership and catechist formation. She began the annual diocesan catechist formation program called Spring Enrichment in 1973. She served as an adult educator, a scripture scholar, teacher, adjunct faculty of St. Bernard’s Institute, pastoral staff person at Our Lady of Fatima in Schenectady, colleague and friend in the ministry of catechesis. Sister Eileen was a member of the Congregation of Notre Dame.

This scholarship was initiated in 1998 through the generous donations of her family, colleagues and friends to honor the memory of Sister Eileen who died in 1997. The annual scholarship is given to a catechetical or youth ministry leader or catechist for one graduate course, for credit or audit, at St. Bernard’s Institute in Albany. This scholarship is awarded each May at Spring Enrichment. Applicants for this scholarship must be currently involved in catechetical ministry or youth ministry in the Diocese of Albany, must demonstrate an enthusiasm for their ministry, and a commitment to ongoing formation and certification. Information on the applicant process and application deadline is available from the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.

Donations to the Sister Eileen Flanagan Scholarship are most welcome. Checks may be written to the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis and noted that they are for the Sister Eileen Flanagan Scholarship fund. Donations may be made in memory of a person or as a tribute to a person or Sister Eileen and sent to the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. 40 North Main Avenue, Albany, New York 12203.


The
Sr. Eileen Flanagan
 Scholarship
Sponsored by
The Office of Evangelization & Catechesis, Diocese of Albany
 in conjunction with St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry, Albany
 

Sr. Eileen Flanagan, CND
 (1920 - 1997)  
 Sister of the Congregation of Notre Dame, Scripture scholar, teacher, catechist, pastoral leader, colleague and cherished friend of those in the Ministry of Catechesis.

To honor her life and ministry, a tuition scholarship to St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry was initiated through the generous donations of friends and colleagues of Sr. Eileen.  This scholarship is presented annually at the opening of Spring Enrichment.  It is certainly a fitting time to honor Sr. Eileen.  In her role as Associate Director on the staff of the Office of Religious Education, Sr. Eileen was responsible for initiating the very first Spring Enrichment program 34 years ago.  Her vision of empowering others to grow in faith, knowledge and skills for Ministry of the Word certainly continues to live on and thrive in the many opportunities for faith formation that are offered today.  We acknowledge that we stand tall on the shoulders of a great woman of faith and commitment to building the reign of God -- Sr. Eileen Flanagan.  May she rest in the loving arms of the One she served so well!!

The scholarship is an $800.00 tuition payment toward one graduate course or toward courses in the Certificate for Designated Ministries program.

The applicant must:

  • be currently involved in catechetical or youth ministry in the Diocese of Albany
  • demonstrate an enthusiasm for their ministry and commitment to ongoing certification

 (The applicant need not be in a degree program at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry, but degree candidates are welcome to apply. Only applicants with bachelor degrees may use the scholarship course for graduate credit.  Those without bachelor degrees may take a graduate course for audit or apply the scholarship to the Certificate for Designated Ministries Program)

 To apply, please submit:

  • a letter of request
          Include data about yourself and your ministry, and how this 
          course  would  enhance your ministry

  • two letters of reference

Deadline for Application:  Monday, April 25, 2008

Send to: Scholarship Committee, Office of Evangelization & Catechesis, 
                40 N.  Main Ave., Albany, NY 12203.

Applications received by the deadline will be reviewed by a Scholarship Committee.  The scholarship is for   tuition only.  Books and other fees are the responsibility of the recipient.  The scholarship may be used only for the academic year beginning Fall 2008 through Summer 2009 for the graduate course.             

The Rev. Richard Fragomeni Scholarship

These scholarships are given to honor Richard Fragomeni, a priest of the Diocese of Albany, for his contribution to the ministry of catechesis in this diocese and throughout the country. This scholarship was established as a gift on the occasion of his 25th anniversary as a priest of the Diocese of Albany at the Millennium dinner in 2000. Father Fragomeni served as a parish priest, Diocesan Director of the Liturgy Center, and as a beloved teacher in the fields of catechesis, liturgy, and the RCIA while in Albany. He is an Associate Professor of the faculty at Chicago Theological Union and prolific author of catechetical texts and resources especially in the area of sacramental catechesis, and liturgy. He is a frequent keynote speaker and workshop presenter throughout the United States, produced audio and video tapes for several major publishers, and is the author for several catechetical texts for Silver Burdett Ginn.

This scholarship is given to catechetical and youth ministry leaders to assist them to attend state and national conferences and workshops in catechesis and youth ministry. This scholarship is given periodically during the year. Catechetical and youth ministry leaders currently in leadership positions may apply for these scholarships through the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.

Donations to this scholarship fund are most welcome. Checks may be made out to the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis and noted that they are for the Father Richard Fragomeni Scholarship fund and sent to the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. 40 North Main Avenue, Albany, New York 12203.

Rev. Robert W. Taylor Scholarship

This scholarship has been established in memory of Rev. Robert W. Taylor, a very loved priest of the Diocese of Albany who was the pastor of St. Margaret Mary's Church in Albany. Father Taylor died in 1993. The Rev. Robert W. Taylor Scholarship was established in June 2002 through the generosity of one of our diocesan priests to enable urban and rural youth to participate in diocesan, state, and national youth ministry events sponsored or recommended/supported by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. This merit and need based and will be available to high school age youth who are active participants in their faith community, demonstrate a commitment to Christian service, and who are recommended by the pastor/parish life director and catechetical/youth ministry leader of their parish.

Donations to the Reverend Robert W. Taylor Scholarship are most welcome. Checks may be made out to the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis and noted that they are for the Reverend Robert W. Taylor Scholarship fund.

Applicants are required to request a scholarship application through the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis and return it with their letters of recommendation. This application is available for review on this website and is available from the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis (518) 453-6630 or Jeanne.Schrempf@rcda.org


Rev. Robert Taylor Scholarship Application

Capital Campaign 
Office of Evangelization and Catechesis Endowment

This endowment is due to the generosity of the people and parishes of the Diocese of Albany during the Capital Campaign Fund Drive. The money allocated to the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis is to be used in two ways: 1) For parish/cluster grants to develop and/or enhance catechetical and youth ministry programs in rural and inner city parishes to insure a comprehensive faith formation program for children, youth, adults, and families. 2) For scholarships for formation and certification for catechetical and youth ministry leaders enrollment and participation in courses, inservices, workshops and conferences.

The interest from the endowment will be dispersed annually through an application process administered by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis and the Capital Campaign Grant Committee. "The scholarships and grants are awarded annually".  

Capital Campaign Scholarship for the Professional Development of Catechetical and Youth Ministry Leaders

 Application for 2007 – 2008  

 Introduction  

The Capital Campaign Scholarship for the Professional Development of Catechetical and Youth Ministry Leaders is given to provide financial assistance for initial and on-going formation of catechetical and youth ministry leaders in the Diocese of Albany.  These scholarships may be used towards the fees for courses, inservices, workshops, retreats, and conferences used toward professional certification of catechetical and youth ministry leaders in this diocese.  This professional formation must be approved and supported by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.  Scholarships may be applied to the expenses of St. Bernard’s Institute Graduate or Designated Ministries courses, programs and retreats sponsored by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, and programs/conferences on a diocesan, state, or national level that will enable the catechetical or youth ministry leader to grow in knowledge and skills for professional ministry. It is expected that parish and personal resources would supplement this scholarship where appropriate, according to the financial ability of the parish and applicant.   

Criteria for Catechetical/Youth Ministry Leaders

Applying for Office of Evangelization and Catechesis Scholarships  

The following criteria needs to be met by the applicant:  

1    The applicant is the designated professional catechetical and/or youth ministry leader in a parish or cluster in the Diocese of Albany.  

2     The applicant is currently certified, fully or provisionally, as an Administrator of Religious Education (ARE) and/or Administrator of Youth Ministry (AYM), a Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) and/or Coordinator of Youth Ministry (CYM), or Director of Religious Education (DRE) and/or Director of Youth Ministry (DYM) or

The applicant is new to ministry and desires to begin the process of formation and certification as a catechetical or youth ministry leader.  

3.   The applicant has demonstrated a history of professional formation and
networking with his/her deanery association and the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.

4.   The applicant would benefit from financial assistance and/or is deserving of this
scholarship based on commitment and service to this ministry

 5.   The application is completed fully, on time and is accompanied by letter of
 recommendation by pastor/parish life director or supervisor.  

 

Additional Information  

1      Scholarships are for the given year.  Application for subsequent years may
 be made, but renewal is not guaranteed.  

2      Financial awards will be made directly to institution administering the formation program by the Comptroller’s Office of the Diocese of Albany or as reimbursement to the parish or applicant upon completion of the program and all requirements.  Courses for St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry must be paid to the institution at the time of registration by the applicant.  

3      Persons applying for college or graduate study must present evidence of
his/her acceptance in program.  

4    Scholarship awards will be dispersed three times each year. Applications
will be due by September 15, 2007 for fall programs, January 15, 2008 for winter/spring programs, and May 15, 2008 for summer programs.  

5      The number of awards given in a particular year will be dependent on number of applicants, financial amounts requested, and annual amount of Capital Campaign funding allotted to scholarships.  Monies not awarded in a given year will be returned to the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis account of the Capital Campaign Fund for use in future years.   

6      Preference will be given to those who have need, have demonstrated
commitment, excellence in leadership, dedication to their ministry, and are deserving of financial assistance. Applicants who are not awarded a scholarship in a given year are encouraged to apply again.  

7      It is expected that both the parish/cluster and applicant would contribute
towards the expense of the formation requested. The applicant must in good faith make an effort to obtain financial assistance from the parish or employing institution.  The inability of the individual or the parish to make this contribution, however, does not in any way affect the grant selection process.  

8     Scholarship assistance is not intended to replace monies already available in
the institutional budget of the applicant (e.g. professional conference, in service, workshops, or retreat already allocated in parish budget)

Capital Campaign Scholarship Application - 2007-2008

 

Capital Campaign Grant for Rural and Urban Parish

Catechetical and Youth Ministry Programs

 Application for 2008 – 2009

   

Introduction  

Capital Campaign Grants will be available to enable rural and urban parishes to develop new catechetical programs or enhance existing programs that will provide a comprehensive faith formation program for children, youth, adults, and families.  Grant funding may be designated for program development or professional staffing.  The grants will be awarded according to parish/cluster need and the ability to develop and sustain quality faith formation programs.  

A grant application may be submitted to create a new catechetical program or to develop a particular aspect of an already existing program i.e. youth ministry, adult faith formation, evangelization, etc.  A grant may also be used to provide the necessary resources to assist the parish/cluster to hire and train a professional catechetical or youth ministry leader.   

Parishes/clusters may apply for grants up to $20,000 per year. Grants may be renewable for a maximum of three years.  The amount of the grant will progressively decrease in years II and III.  

 

I.                    Criteria for Parishes/Clusters Applying for a Capital Campaign Grant

Office of Evangelization and Catechesis  

The following criteria needs to be met by a parish or cluster applying for a grant:  

•        The grants are specifically available for urban and rural parishes that do not have the resources and personnel to meet the faith formation needs of their parish/cluster.  

•        The parish/cluster must have developed or be in the process of developing a comprehensive plan for faith formation that includes children, youth, families and adults  

•        The plan for comprehensive faith formation must embrace the visions of the National Directory for Catechesis, Renewing the Vision (the plan for comprehensive youth ministry), and Our Hearts Were Burning With Us (the United States Bishops’ Plan for Adult Faith Formation)  

•        Catechetical/youth ministry programs and processes and all sacramental preparation must follow the guidelines of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.  

•        Present and future catechetical/youth ministry leaders must be certified according to the requirements of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis of the Diocese of Albany, in the process of acquiring certification, or be willing to work towards this goal.  

•        All catechists must follow the directives of the New York State Bishops in the document The Catechist in the Third Millennium: Call, Mission and Formation that included basic certification for new catechists and on-going formation and certification for all catechists.  

•        All salaries, benefits, and personnel practices for professional ministers must follow the directives of the Office of Human Resources of the Diocese of Albany.  

•        The pastor/parish life director and parish community is fully supportive of the faith formation program and catechetical/youth ministry leaders.  

•        All programs and processes reflect a pastoral perspective.  

•        All programs and processes work toward evangelization, especially outreach to those separated from the faith community.  

•        There is an adequate budget for comprehensive faith formation that reflects the parish/cluster commitment to excellence and the size and resources of the parish/cluster.  

•        The parish/cluster works to meet the goals for effective parish catechesis outlined in  diocesan guidelines.  

 

II.  Assessment and Evaluation  

An assessment tool is available upon request to assist the parish/cluster to assess the status and effectiveness of their present program/staffing, to determine areas in need of development and/or enhancement, and to initiate planning to achieve faith formation goals.  It is hoped that parishes will look beyond their own boundaries to consider cluster and deanery needs and ways of collaborating to insure quality and effective faith formation in their areas.  

Parishes/cluster receiving grants will be expected to complete mid-year and end year evaluations.  Forms will be provided.  Evaluations will be an essential component of securing multi-year grants and/or applying for new grants.      

 

III.  Financial Considerations  

The Capital Campaign Grant for Parishes/Clusters distributed through the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis is limited and the needs of the diocese are great.  Although parishes/clusters may apply for grants up to $20,000, parish/clusters are encouraged to apply also for more modest grants to initiate a new program or fulfill an unmet need.  These grants are seed money and therefore, parishes/cluster must have sufficient resources to insure that this program or staffing would be effective, stable, and able to be continued after the grant concludes, if this is important.  

Parishes/clusters applying for a grant will be expected to provide sufficient financial information to allow the Grant Committee to determine need and ability to support this program and initiative.  Salary and benefit allocations must follow the guidelines of the Office of Human Resources of the Diocese of Albany.    

A budget tool will be provided upon request to assist those applying to include an adequate projected budget.  Programs need staffing, materials and resources, equipment such as telephone and computer, office space, postage, formation for staff and volunteers, etc.  Staffing needs include salary and benefits, on-going formation, secretarial assistance, transportation or mileage reimbursement, etc.  

Capital Campaign Grant for Rural and Urban Parish

Catechetical and Youth Ministry Programs  

GRANT APPLICATION - 2008 - 2009

 




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