St. John, Frederick, welcomes new DREs for Children and Adults
St. John the Evangelist, Frederick, announces two new 
Directors of Religious Education, Stacey Ford (left) 
and April Dietrich (right).  Amidst the buzz of settling into their offices, April and Stacey shared some thoughts on their new positions. 

April Dietrich is the new Director of Adult Education at St. John.  She will also oversee the religious formation programs for the mission, St. Katharine Drexel. A native of Buffalo, New York, April was Coordinator of Religious Education at 
St. Athanasius parish in Glen Burnie since 1994. She is presently finishing her studies at the Ecumenical Institute of Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Roland Park where she is completing her masters degree in theology.  She also has a bachelor degree in broadcasting and journalism. 

Settling in to her new role at St. John’s, April is developing an understanding of the parish, as well a good sense of the parish needs.  She credits her predecessor, Joe Swiss, with leaving behind a firm foundation, which will serve as a springboard for her future endeavors within the parish.  April is grateful for the wonderful support she receives from the two department secretaries, Elaine Coccagna and Lena Johnson.  Describing them as the right arms of the religious education department, April said, “There is no way we could do half of what we do without their bright and confident help.”

April is on the leadership council for the Baltimore Association of Catechetical Ministers (BACM) and is the representative for the Baltimore/Washington province to the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership (NCCL). She is also a member of the Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies Educators Study Group.

April, husband, Steven and 3 year old daughter, Catharine Hannah, live in Mt. Airy and are members of St. Peter parish in Libertytown.

When asked if there was a particular scripture passage which inspires her, April referred to the prophet, Jeremiah, without hesitation…

“Say not, “I am too young.”
To whomever I send you, you shall go;
Whatever I command you you shall speak.”

Currently the parish has four religious education programs: a summer program which meets 3 hours a day for two weeks; a Neighborhood program which meets during the school year, usually after school, in homes within various Frederick area communities; a family based class which meets once a month; and the more traditional Sunday morning class held at the church which meets during the school year.  Stacey credits the success of these programs to the well-trained catechists and enthusiastic volunteer support.

Prior to her position at St. John, Stacey was the Director of Religious Education at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ellicott City since 1998.  Prior to that, she was the DRE for St. James parish in Charlestown, West Virginia for 7 years. 

Stacey holds a masters degree in religious education from Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana as well as a bachelor degree in social work from West Virginia University. She is originally from Springfield, Virginia and presently lives in Frederick with her husband, Tim and 3 daughters, Kylie, Christine, and Shelby.

When describing her philosophy of religious education, Stacey emphasizes that it is a process which needs to fit into family life.  Children should feel positive about learning their faith and their parents should be able to learn as well.  It is important that the parish programs blend well with family-life, and St. John’s has enough variety of programs to make that possible.

Stacey feels that the following scripture best personifies the notion that kids don’t have to be perfect – Jesus has open arms for them no matter what.

  “Let the little children come to me.  Do not shut them off.  The reign of God belongs to such as these.”
 Luke 18:16

Watch for an interview with Kristin to be posted here soon.