April Dietrich joins staff of St. James, Boonsboro and St. Augustine, Williamsport

By Judy Williams

Beginning July 1, April Dietrich will be Pastoral Associate for two Washington county parishes, St. Augustine Parish in Williamsport and St. James Parish in Boonsboro.  At St. Augustine her primary responsibilities will be the Adult Faith Formation program, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and Children, and Confirmation.  At. St. James she will oversee the parish youth ministry program, family ministry, parish outreach and Confirmation.  Both parishes are led by Pastor Fr. Steve Hook.

"At first it looks like the job entails complex duties, divided between the two parishes, but it seems like it will all mesh together. I hope that it will become almost seamless - where every aspect of the ministry is somehow connected with the other," April said.  She is especially looking forward to a calmer pace, since both parishes are small, and further removed from the more complex setting of a larger city.  The gentler pace will also give her more time to spend with her 9 year old daughter, Cat.

A native of Buffalo, New York, April has been working in parish ministry for the past 17 years in Syracuse, Baltimore and Central Maryland.  Most recently she was Director of Adult Catechesis at St. John the Evangelist in Frederick. She holds a Masters of Arts degree in Theology from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Roland Park. 

She was elected last year for a three year term as Animator of Parish Catechetical Leader Formation for the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership (NCCL).  She is Co-Chair of the Adult Faith Formation committee for NCCL.  She is a facilitator for the Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation at Dayton University.  She is an occasional columnist for Catechetical Leader Magazine and facilitator for the Archdiocese of Baltimore's Church Leadership Institute (CLI)

She facilitates workshops on the local level as well, including Central Maryland Formation Day, parish and school workshops and retreats.  She has been a member of the Central Maryland Formation Day planning committee for 5 years.

April, husband, Steve and 9 year old daughter, Cat, live in Mt. Airy and are members of St. Peter the Apostle parish in Libertytown.

When asked for a quotation or guiding thought as she serves in parish ministry, April reflects that, "It's all about relationship. When it gets down to the nitty-gritty of life, of ministry life - and even the afterlife - it's all about relationship."

The Catholic Education Ministries Center of Central Maryland provides ongoing support to the Catechetical Ministries of Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties. This includes training programs for leaders and volunteers in parishes and schools, plus consultation in all areas of catechesis.

Catholic Education Ministries - Mount Saint Mary's, Emmitsburg, 21727
(301) 447-3707   FAX: (301) 447-5399    [More about the Center]