By Lindsay Steele
The Catholic Messenger
Trevor Pullinger has been appointed the director of Faith Formation and Catechesis coordinator for the Diocese of Davenport. He will continue his ministry in lifelong faith and ministry formation while adding additional responsibilities for youth and young adult ministry.
“It is a huge responsibility that I don’t take lightly,” Pullinger said of leading the diocesan Office of Faith Formation. “I ask for your prayers, and I’ve been at prayer each day asking that I might serve the bishop and the diocese in an honest, faithful and fruitful manner.”
Pullinger holds a master’s degree in Catechetics and Evangelization from Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. Prior to serving the diocese as coordinator of Catechesis and Adult Lay Formation, he served parishes in Keokuk and Montrose in a variety of administrative, faith formation and youth ministry roles — often concurrently. “Trevor provides a combination of academics and experience from a variety of perspectives,” said Diocesan Chief of Staff Deacon David Montgomery.
Pullinger said the multifaceted nature of his new role is a reflection of what is happening at the parish level. “Many parishes are seeing a change and combining of roles,” especially rural parishes. Factors include changing demographics, parish planning and a shortage of priests.
In succeeding Don Boucher, who retired as leader of the Faith Formation Office, Pullinger will continue to transition the diocese away from reliance on major youth events to engage the next generation of Catholics. He will focus on equipping parish ministers to meet the needs of youths and their families. “It’s not about programs; it’s about people encountering Christ. The better we are at supporting our catechists, the better we can be at supporting families and youths,” Pullinger said.
The diocese also created the new position of logistics coordinator to enable Pullinger to manage his additional responsibilities and to offer support to all of the chancery offices, Deacon
Montgomery said. Colleen Darland will transition into this role from her current position as administrative assistant.
The logistics coordinator is responsible for planning and managing diocesan events in collaboration with chancery staff to meet the needs of each event program. The diocese’s chancery offices will also share a new administrative assistant.
Pullinger lives in Davenport with his wife, Jessica, and their six children. He is thankful to his family for their prayers and support. “I’m not perfect. My family isn’t perfect. But, we believe in Christ and more than anything we want to help other families come to Christ.”