Sister Rita Mary Harwood, SND, secretary for Parish Life and Development, Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, said three of the secretariat’s offices are welcoming new directors.
Teresa Yohman is the new director of the Office of Marriage and Family Ministry; Francine Costantini is the new director of the Office of Youth Ministry and Michael Hayes is the new director of the Office of Young Adult Ministry.
Yohman began her new job on July 20. Previously, she was coordinator of youth ministry at St. Martin of Tours Parish in Valley City. In addition, she also previously worked in schools and mental health counseling providing support for children and families.
In her new role, Yohman works with the Marriage and Family Life Office team to support ministry leaders who prepare couples of marriage, serve the needs of parish families and assist all who serve in all areas of family life.
Costantini will begin her new position on Sept. 9. She has been serving as coordinator of youth ministry at St. Barnabas Parish in Northfield. Before that, was youth minister at St. Clarence Parish in North Olmsted. She also served as liaison between Life Teen International and youth ministers in Ohio.
As head of the Youth Ministry Office, she will work with the team to assist parishes and parish youth ministry leaders in the development and implementation of quality youth ministry programs for and with young and older adolescents.
Hayes, who will join the diocese on Sept. 28, has been campus minister at Canisius College and St. Joseph University Parish in Buffalo, New York. He also is co-founder and former associate director of BustedHalo.com, a ministry of the Paulist Fathers that that aims to bring the joy of the Gospel to all people in innovative ways, including radio, print, videos, podcasts and social media.
In his new position, Hayes will promote effective young adult ministry in the Cleveland Diocese including direct ministry with young adults, leadership training, consulting activities and networking opportunities for young adult ministry leaders.
“We are so happy Terri, Francine and Mike have joined our Parish Life team,” said Sister Rita Mary.
In addition to the three offices mentioned above, the secretariat also includes the Office for Protection of Children and Youth, ecumenical/interfaith ministry, faith and culture, immigrants, refugees and people on the move, missionary discipleship, lay ecclesial ministry, Catholic lay organizations and specialized ministries like the gay and lesbian family ministry and ministry to the incarcerated and their families.
The secretariat supports the work of the diocese and parishes by helping to build vibrant communities of faith and service, Sister said.
Its efforts are centered around:
- Developing pastoral leadership through the formation of various groups for service within the Catholic community -- pastoral ministers, parish life coordinators, parish and diocesan committees, lay leaders within the various ethnic communities and groups, and volunteers -- for a variety of ministries in the Church and society.
- Building Catholic parish communities where all persons are supported in their efforts to grow in faith and proclaim the Gospel, thus becoming a community of life, peace and safety where all can come to know the love and presence of Christ.
- Fostering respect for, celebrating and responding to the needs of diverse groups and emerging ministries in the diocese.