Ammas of the Plains: Leadership and Rural Women in Catholic Catechetical Ministry

OBJECTIVE
The focus of this project was the development of programming which intentionally addressed the leadership gifts and challenges experienced by those who are the diocese of Bismarck’s core catechetical leaders: rural women who do not have a college academic preparation.

METHODOLOGY
Study participants included 34 women who participated in eight listening sessions in catechetical deanery meetings held throughout the diocese. Pre and post (20 months apart) LPI-Self were administered, and complete scores were available from 11 of the 14 participants.

KEY FINDINGS
Substantial growth (pre and post test differences were not subjected to statistical analysis) were noted for Challenging the Process, as was true for Inspiring a Shared Vision. In both cases nearly every individual behavior (statement) showed substantially more usage. Scores for Modeling deceased over this time period, which was because “these took a back-burner” (p. 104). Average Enabling and Encouraging scores were relatively unchanged across the two administrations.