A dozen catechetical leaders in parish religious education and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) were certified on April 3 at Mount Alvernia in Wappingers Falls, the Archdiocesan Catechetical Office has announced.
Auxiliary Bishop John O’Hara, the episcopal vicar of Staten Island and South, East and West Manhattan, presided at the ceremony.
Participating were Sister Joan Curtin, C.N.D., director of the Archdiocesan Catechetical Office; Sister Teresita Morse, R.J.M., director of formation for parish directors and coordinators of religious education; and Oscar Cruz, director of the Catechumenate.
Certification requires completing the Catechetical Leadership Program, which prepares leaders in theology, spirituality, knowledge of the sacraments, catechesis, catechetical administration and technology.
The directors and coordinators who received certification are:
Ellen Farina, coordinator of religious education, St. Christopher-St. Sylvia, Red Hook
Jeanette Tuzzolino, coordinator, St. Francis of Assisi, Mount Kisco
Luz Marina Diaz, Ph.D., director of religious education, St. Francis Xavier, Manhattan
Milagros Cobb, coordinator, St. Peter-St. Mary, Haverstraw
Mignolia De La Vega, retired coordinator, Our Lady of Lourdes, Manhattan
Rowena Hoblin, director, St. Augustine, New City
Kay Olive-Kelly, former director, St. Boniface, Wesley Hills
Theresa Scorca, coordinator, St. Lawrence O’Toole, Brewster
Elizabeth Kogler, coordinator, Holy Spirit, Cortlandt Manor
Antoinette Gilligan, director, St. Joseph, Bronxville
Margaret Cairney, coordinator, Sacred Heart, Patterson
The parish RCIA leader is:
Jayne Porcelli, director, St. Francis de Sales, Manhattan
Directors of religious education have master’s degrees in theology, religious studies, religious education or a related field.