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A capital campaign helps diocesan employees earn master’s in catechetics and evangelization

Ashleigh Kassock | Catholic Herald

The Diocese of Arlington is encouraging diocesan employees to participate in Franciscan University’s online master of arts in catechetics and evangelization. ILLUSTRATION BY ASHLEIGH KASSOCK

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The Office of Youth, Campus, and Young Adult ministries has
announced a new opportunity for diocesan employees to work toward a master’s in
catechetics and evangelization without breaking the bank. 

Thanks to endowments created through the Rooted in Faith, Forward
in Hope campaign, the diocese will pay for 95 percent of the tuition costs for
20 individuals willing to commit to the 36-credit program over the course of 4
years. The deadline to apply to the program is June 22. Provided the program
goes well, the diocese hopes to offer the opportunity again after the first
group graduates. 

The completely online courses will be available through a cohort
with Franciscan University in Steubenville,
Ohio, according to Kevin Bohli, director of the Office of Youth, Campus,
and Young Adult ministries. While the course material can be viewed at any
time, keeping it to students within the diocese affords the class the special
opportunity to meet and participate in live skype sessions with professors.

When Bohli announced the development of the program in last August,
he received a lot of interest from directors of youth ministry, religious
education and other diocesan youth staff.

“Being a director of youth ministry is not something that many
people aspire to as they are going through their high school and college
years,” said Bohli. “As a result, very few people go to college and receive a theology
degree with that purpose in mind.  They often discover a call to work for
the church after they have started working in a different career.  This
program will allow many of the DYMs in the diocese to now go back and receive a
degree that will help them to be more effective in the profession they feel
called to. Along with the knowledge gained through the coursework, they will also
find a new confidence in how they pass on the faith to the volunteers, parent,
and young people that they work with.”

Bohli completed his master’s in theology online through Franciscan
University in January 2017. “Ever since then I have been thinking, ‘how can we
make this happen,’” he said. 

His dream became a reality thanks to contributions to the campaign
that was started in 2001 by Bishop Paul S. Loverde. It exists to support the
formation and training of religious education and youth ministry leaders.

“Every year we look to find ways to train youth workers, which is
where the certificate in youth ministry program came from,” Bohli said.

Francesca Gross, director of religious education and youth ministry
at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Arlington, was excited to apply for the
master’s degree. 

“I’ve been seeking higher education for a while. When Kevin
announced this last year, I was just so excited. I have both my certifications
but I wanted to get something on paper,” said Gross. “Why would you pass up an
opportunity to learn more about you faith. Ever since I got into this position
I have been just really seeking more and more understanding of my own faith.”

The diocese is requiring a three year commitment from those who
earn the degree so the parish can benefit from the program. 

“This is a win-win program for the parish, the DYM and for the
diocese as a whole,” said Bohli. “With as many as 20 DYMs and DREs receiving
this degree, the diocese will benefit from having so many youth workers with
advanced degrees in catechetics and evangelization.”

To apply

Go to
www.arlingtondiocese.org/Youth-Ministry/Graduate-Degree/ 

Contact Jeff Ghering with the Office of Youth, Campus, and
Young Adult Ministries at 703-841-2559
or [email protected] for more information. 

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