Steven C. Gilmour
Leadership in Ministry Award. The Stephen C. Gilmour Award is presented to a degreed professional from within the WDREF membership who is actively engaged in parish catechetical ministry on a directorship level. This person should be outstanding in his/her leadership and achievements in the catechetical field. This person must be a member of WDREF through one of our local organizations. WDREF Board Members are NOT eligible for this award. The Wisconsin Directors of Religious Education Federation established this award in 1986 in honor of the late Rev. Stephen C. Gilmour of the Diocese of Madison. Fr. Gilmour served as director of the Madison Diocesan Office of Religious Education from 1975-1983. During that time he encouraged the formation of the Madison Directors of Religious Education Organization and was active in founding the Wisconsin Directors of Religious Education Federation in 1980. Fr. Gilmour was always interested in new forms of ministry which would better serve the people of the Madison Diocese, the state of Wisconsin, and the church worldwide. He died of cancer on November 25, 1984 at the age of 43. Ever supportive of the DRE as a professional, it is particularly appropriate for WDREF to pay tribute to Fr. Stephen Gilmour by presenting this biennial award in his name to someone from within our own membership who has provided strong and effective catechetical leadership to the church in Wisconsin. |
Henriette M. Mackin
Service in Ministry Award. The Henriette M. Mackin Award is presented to a person or organization, who/which, has given outstanding support to the catechetical ministry in a parish or diocese in the state of Wisconsin. It is open to those both paid and unpaid. This might include a catechist, priest, secretary, parent, liturgist, janitor, or parish organization, for example. Diocesan personnel are NOT eligible for this award. The Wisconsin Directors of Religious Education Federation established this award in 1986 in honor of the late Henriette M. Mackin, founder of Hi-Time Publications, a Wisconsin-based publisher of catechetical materials. The oldest of ten children in an Irish-American Catholic family, Henriette M. Mackin graduated from the University of Wisconsin before starting her career in the field of publishing. After twelve years in the editorial and promotions departments of the Milwaukee Journal, she moved on to the George Pflaum Company of Dayton, Ohio, where she edited a popular religiously oriented comic book series, Treasure Chest. Noticing the lack of religious education materials for high school students, Miss Mackin left Pflaum to establish a new publishing company aimed at producing high school catechetical materials. |
Convention and Retreat Grants.
Members of WDREF's local organizations may apply for grant monies to attend a WDREF Convention or Retreat if parish financial assistance is not available. |
Scholarships.
Scholarships are available for WDREF members for their continuing education. Applicants must be: .a member of a local diocesan organization in the state of Wisconsin .actively engaged in the religious education ministry in the state of Wisconsin .intending to remain in the religious education field for at least two additional years .committed to their own professional development (i.e. working towards certification, continuing education units, or a bachelor's, master's or postgraduate degree in a field related to religious education). |