Marlene Miller was installed as the new Parish Life Coordinator in a ritual celebrated during Mass at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Ingalls on June 18. Father Robert Schremmer, parochial general for the Diocese of Dodge City, and Father Joseph Bahr, parish priest, were con-celebrants.

"A parish life coordinator is exactly what the title implies," said Father Schremmer. "Marlene is the parish liaison with the diocese, with the priests who serve the parish, and between the parishioners themselves. She bears the administrative responsibility of making sure that things in the parish run well and correctly. She comes to the position well-respected and with a very good knowledge of what is expected to take place."

During the installation ritual, Marlene stood before St. Stanislaus parishioners and was asked by Father Schremmer if she was resolved to serve the people in her parish by living to the best of her ability the life of faith that is demanded by the Gospels. She was then asked if she was willing to serve the needs of the parish community through the ministries of the Word, Worship, Service, and Administration according to her responsibilities. And finally, Marlene was asked if she would accept the challenge to work with the members of the parish community, assist the priests with their pastoral care, and assist her priest supervisor and Bishop Ronald Gilmore to promote a spirit of shared responsibility and respect for one another.

Turning to the congregation, Father Schremmer then asked it to receive Marlene as their parish life coordinator and to give her the support of their prayers and cooperation.

The next section of the installation ritual included a presentation of symbols. The Lectionary (God’s word addressed to us), brought to Marlene by Denis Hornung, was followed by Todd Siek who presented the parish financial records (gifts of the community are counted and recorded). The Parish Roster (record of those gifted and called by God), carried to the altar by Fred Van Nahmen, was the last ritual symbol to be presented. The ritual ended with a prayer for and a blessing of Marlene.

A reception breakfast was held after Mass in the church basement.