St. Catherine of Siena welcomes new team in Faith Formation office
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in West Dundee announces new staff appointments upon the retirement of Deborah Schmalen of Sleepy Hollow, who has been a part of its Religious Education office for the past 19 years and serving the past six years as Director of Religious Education at the parish.
The Adult Education Office and Religious Education Office have been combined into the newly integrated Faith Formation Office, which will be guided by co-directors Brianna Lamp Wessel and Katie Polk.
Julie O'Neill will continue to serve as administrative assistant for the Faith Formation Office.
"This change expands our Family Faith Formation Program, which was previously regarded as Religious Education," said Rev. Matthew DeBlock, pastor. "Our Faith Formation team will be responsible for sacramental preparation programs, adult education, and the rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). I have deep appreciation for the work Mrs. Schmalen has accomplished over the years to assist our parish families in strengthening their faith. She will be greatly missed. I look forward to our next chapter in lighting the fire of faith in our parish."
Schmalen notes that she came to the Religious Education office after having her children attend a Catholic school where religious instruction was built into the curriculum.
"I applaud parents who are pressured by our current culture and still choose to sacrifice," she said. "They make an extra effort to bring their children up in our Catholic faith. It has been a privilege to serve the families at St. Catherine's and our church."
Schmalen is a parishioner of the parish and her husband, Hank, serves as a permanent deacon.
The Faith Formation Office co-directors bring a wide range of experience to the parish.
Wessel attended Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, and attained her Masters in Theological Studies from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Washington, D.C.
"I have been in our religious education office for the past three years," said Wessel. "It has offered me opportunities to grown in my own faith and to walk different journeys with so many different people. With all of our religious education programs here at St. Catherine's, I hope to help every person in our parish to enter into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and grow in their faith."
Wessel lives in Hampshire with her husband, Drew, and daughter Clare.
Polk is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. She spent three years teaching first and second grade in Texas before meeting her husband Matthew. Since relocating to Illinois, Polk has guided second graders through First Communion and reconciliation for the past five years.
"I am excited to be answering the call for my church," said Polk. "I have built many friendships at St. Catherine's with other families and I look forward to meeting even more parishioners who thirst to grow in their faith as a family." Polk lives in Algonquin with Matthew and their three daughters Mary Claire, Cecilia, and Eloise.
For more information, contact the Faith Formation Office at (847) 426-4712.
St. Catherine of Siena parish is located at 845 W. Main St. in West Dundee. Visit www.stcatherinechurch.com.