In June the board of directors for Little Rock Scripture Study awarded four Arkansas Catholics $1,000 each to continue their religious studies to lead lay ministries in the Church.
Cackie Upchurch, LRSS director, said the scholarships were awarded for the first time this summer as a way to support lay Catholics who often bear the cost of further education themselves.
The four recipients are Cindy Shaw of Springdale, Jason Pohlmeier of Subiaco, Kyle Shachmut of Conway and Don Stephan of Monticello. All but Pohlmeier are, or have been, students in the Little Rock Theology Institute, which is a program of the diocese’s Office of Religious Education and Christian Initiation.
Shaw is director of religious education for children and English-speaking adults at St. Raphael Church. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in theology from St. Gregory University in Shawnee, Okla., through the theology institute. She hopes to complete her academic work in the spring 2008.
According to her application, Shaw is not studying theology for personal benefit, but to "share my knowledge and understanding with my brothers and sisters in the context of adult formation and education within my parish and community."
Pohlmeier is a religion teacher at Subiaco Academy. He is pursuing a master’s degree in Catholic school leadership through the University of Dallas. This program is sponsored by the diocesan Catholic Schools Office. Upon completion of his graduate work in December 2009, he hopes to be given the opportunity to be a Catholic school administrator.
Pohlmeier said he believes his desire to minister among young people was planted in him during his high school years.
Shachmut, a member of St. Joseph Church, recently completed requirements for two bachelor’s degrees, one in theology from St. Gregory University (through the theology institute), and the other in bio-kinesiology from Hendrix College in Conway. He plans to enter the Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry at Boston College this fall and hopes to complete his master’s degree in May 2009.
"I look forward to studying under world-renowned faculty members on the Church’s models for catechizing the faithful in the new millennium as called upon by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops," Shachmut said.
Stephan entered the theology institute in 2003 and plans to finish his undergraduate work this summer. In addition, he recently began studies at St. Mary University at Winona, Minn., and hopes to earn a master’s degree in pastoral administration in the fall of 2008.
He said his goal is to continue ministry in rural Arkansas parishes. He and his wife Nancy developed a spirit for mission and discipleship partly through membership in parishes served by Glenmary Home Missioner priests.
Upchurch said she is pleased with the diverse goals of the recipients. "We had 24 inquiries, 13 applications and plenty to pray about in making the selections," she said.
The committee members who made the selections saw it as a very hopeful sign that so many people of all ages are anxious to serve the Church, she said.
LRSS awards $1,000 for study to four in state
