Thirteen men and women from throughout the Diocese of Burlington have successfully completed the 2-year Diocesan Lay Formation Leadership Program.

The students celebrated their graduation on Pentecost, May 23, at St. Joseph Cathedral in Burlington with Bishop Christopher Coyne.

Program Director Deacon Phil Lawson said: “The formation team and I are very proud of these men and women who we have been privileged to walk with the past two years. Their faithfulness is inspiring. They certainly faced some unique challenges in their formation due to the pandemic, but they persevered, both in their formation and in creatively carrying out their capstone projects in their parishes.”

The graduates are: Martha Baldwin of St. Mary’s in Middlebury, Rose Bathalon of St. Andre Bessette Parish in Troy, Jackie Becker of St Luke Church in Fairfax, Eric and Vela Bouchard of Mater Dei in Newport, Diane Byrne of St. John the Evangelist in Northfield, Monica Cayia of Holy Cross Church in Colchester, Jean Gilmond of Ascension Church in Georgia, Marci Hayes of Our Lady of Good Help in Brandon, Terri McCormack of Christ the King in Rutland, Wanda Murray of Our Lady of Good Help in Brandon, Todd Silk of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Shelburne and Laura Underhill of St. John Vianney in South Burlington.

The Diocesan Lay Formation Leadership Program is designed to form laity to assist in leadership roles in their parishes, with a particular focus on evangelization and missionary discipleship.

For more information, contact Deacon Phil Lawson, executive director of pastoral ministries, at 802-658-6110 ext. 1453.