Martin Ahrndt, LOC Director of Faith Formation
Hi! I am Martin Ahrndt, your Director of Faith Formation (DFF) for Christ Our Hope. My wife Laurie (Humpal) and I live in Protivin with our young twins Arabella and Xavier. A little about me personally. I grew up in Monticello, Iowa with my parents and twin sister. I attended Sacred Heart elementary school and graduated with honors from Monticello High School. From there I entered Loras College and St. Pius X Seminary. After much discernment I left the seminary program and graduated with honors from Loars with a BA in History and Secondary Education. After graduating college I taught U.S. History at the high school in Waukon, Iowa. In 2006 I married the love of my life and in 2008 we moved to her home town of Protivin. I began my career as DFF for the Light of Christ program in March 2009. I was pleased in August of 2009 to return to Loras, only now as a graduate student. I am currently working on my Master of Ministry degree.
I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the changes I have witnessed in the Light of Christ Faith Formation (LOC) program and to answer some of the most common questions I have received since I have been with the LOC programs. One question I have heard often is why my title is DFF and not Director of Religious Education (DRE). The archdiocese has redefined job titles based on what responsibilities a particular person has in their position. A DRE is defined as someone who is only responsible for the youth religious education program. My responsibilities include much more than just the youth religious education program. As DFF I am responsible for the Faith Formation programs offered to parishioners of all ages, birth to death. This includes organizing the Generations of Faith festivals, which itself is no small task, and ensuring that our religious education programs meet the archdiocese policies, requirements, and mission to catechize individuals of all ages and mental ability.
Another question people often ask is what exactly I do as a DFF? I admit that when I first interviewed for the position I wondered how I would fill forty hours a week. I have come to find that I am so busy the days just fly by. It is hard to realize just how time consuming various aspects of a career are, until you are working in it. Primarily this is an administrative position, similar to that of a school principal. We are unique in that our main religious education program is not designed just for school age students, but for all ages. Unlike other parishes, we do not exclusively use a set of standard workbooks, or curriculum, but must create lessons from scratch that ensure that all archdiocese education requirements are met. To do otherwise would be doing a disservice to you the parishioners who trust us to help you in your own and your children’s faith formation. As an administrator I do a lot of required paperwork as a liaison between the LOC and Archdiocese Office of Faith Formation. I am also responsible for organizing the sacramental preparation courses, and I recruit and provide training to ensure high quality catechists, and youth liturgist. Also, I am the executive director for the LOC Faith Formation Commission, and I work closely with the cluster staff, Trinity Catholic School, and surrounding parishes, as well as communicating daily with parishioners.
Even though this career has not been exactly what I expected, I truly believe that this is what God has called me to do. Every day is different with new challenges and experiences. Despite this, or maybe because of it, I love being your DFF, and look forward to continuing to work with the parishioners of Christ Our Hope for many years to come. If you ever have any questions or concerns please feel free to call or email me.
I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the changes I have witnessed in the Light of Christ Faith Formation (LOC) program and to answer some of the most common questions I have received since I have been with the LOC programs. One question I have heard often is why my title is DFF and not Director of Religious Education (DRE). The archdiocese has redefined job titles based on what responsibilities a particular person has in their position. A DRE is defined as someone who is only responsible for the youth religious education program. My responsibilities include much more than just the youth religious education program. As DFF I am responsible for the Faith Formation programs offered to parishioners of all ages, birth to death. This includes organizing the Generations of Faith festivals, which itself is no small task, and ensuring that our religious education programs meet the archdiocese policies, requirements, and mission to catechize individuals of all ages and mental ability.
Another question people often ask is what exactly I do as a DFF? I admit that when I first interviewed for the position I wondered how I would fill forty hours a week. I have come to find that I am so busy the days just fly by. It is hard to realize just how time consuming various aspects of a career are, until you are working in it. Primarily this is an administrative position, similar to that of a school principal. We are unique in that our main religious education program is not designed just for school age students, but for all ages. Unlike other parishes, we do not exclusively use a set of standard workbooks, or curriculum, but must create lessons from scratch that ensure that all archdiocese education requirements are met. To do otherwise would be doing a disservice to you the parishioners who trust us to help you in your own and your children’s faith formation. As an administrator I do a lot of required paperwork as a liaison between the LOC and Archdiocese Office of Faith Formation. I am also responsible for organizing the sacramental preparation courses, and I recruit and provide training to ensure high quality catechists, and youth liturgist. Also, I am the executive director for the LOC Faith Formation Commission, and I work closely with the cluster staff, Trinity Catholic School, and surrounding parishes, as well as communicating daily with parishioners.
Even though this career has not been exactly what I expected, I truly believe that this is what God has called me to do. Every day is different with new challenges and experiences. Despite this, or maybe because of it, I love being your DFF, and look forward to continuing to work with the parishioners of Christ Our Hope for many years to come. If you ever have any questions or concerns please feel free to call or email me.
