Maris Wimberly

Our Lady of Sorrows Church and School, Homewood, AL

Ages of children with whom you work:

At OLS School, I work in all three atrium levels with individual grade-level classes.  I also have continued CGS work with 7th and 8th grade children.  On Sundays, I work in a multi-age Level II atrium. Once a month, I also participate in a non-CGS Confirmation class.  The children I work with in 8th grade are part of that class.

I have been the Coordinator of CGS at Our Lady of Sorrows Church and School since 2011.  Some of my responsibilities include scheduling for catechists and children, overseeing catechists for the school and PRS program, assuring CGS is implemented as set forth by the 32 Points of Reflection, communicating with the school principal and parish DRE, participating in school faculty meetings, coordinating CGS Open House, maintaining and ordering atrium materials, and recruiting new volunteers and catechists.  I have also overseen the completion of the Level II atrium and Level III atrium environments.

In my time in CGS, I have had the opportunity to present this work at both Birmingham Diocesan events for the Parish School of Religion and Catholic Schools Formation Days.  Since becoming a Formation Leader in 2015, guided by the Holy Spirit, the work has grown in Alabama, especially in the Roman Catholic community.

As a member of CGS, I have attended the annual meetings, both in-person and online, as well as the 70th Anniversary Celebration in Arizona.  I have served on the Involvement Committee, which is no longer meeting.  I do not have experience in fundraising, but I do have experience in coordinating events from Sorority Rush, St. Pius X Parish Carnival (Manchester, CT), and most recently, CGS formation courses around the United States.

If elected to the Board, I believe I would support the ecumenical nature of our work and have the ability to coordinate and communicate with a diverse community of catechists and church leaders.  I would uphold the 32 Points of Reflection and stay true to the work of Sofia, Gianna, and countless others who have been the matchmakers between God and the child. If it is God’s will, I will do my best to serve God, the children, and the adults in this work.