MADISON — Recently, parish catechetical leaders from the Diocese of Madison honored the hard work and dedication of Becky Thompson of St. Joseph, Baraboo.
Thompson received the Jack McBride Leadership in Ministry Award. The Madison Diocese Religious Educator’s Organization (MDREO) presented the award at the Catechetical Convocation at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison.
Since 2000, Thompson has directed the faith formation efforts at St. Joseph Parish. Previously, she served at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Rapid City, S.D., for over 10 years. Overall, she possesses over 35 years of ministry experience in various positions.She has been an active member in MDREO and the Wisconsin Directors of Religious Education Federation (WDREF), serving in leadership roles in both organizations. In 2006, WDREF awarded Thompson the Stephen Gilmore Award for Outstanding Leadership to the Catechetical Ministry.
Thompson holds a master’s degree in Servant Leadership and a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and Organizational Management, both from Viterbo College, as well as numerous certificates in the fields of parish ministry and catechesis.
The Jack McBride Award is awarded annually by MDREO to parish ministers in the Diocese of Madison for their excellence in the field of catechesis. McBride was the associate director of the Diocese of Madison’s Office of Evangelization and Catechesis and a national leader in adult religious education. He died in February of 2007 at age 53, after a long battle with cancer.
The MDREO was formed in May 1980 with the purpose of fostering professional and spiritual growth among its members and helping religious education staff develop on the parish, diocesan, state, and national levels.