Staff Member: Deacon William Dringus
Deacon William Dringus
Deacon
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Deacon Bill Dringus Celebration and Faith
Originally from Queens, NY, by way of Shrub Oak, NY, Deacon Bill Dringus, was assigned by Bishop Hubbard to Holy Spirit Church (HSC) in 1993 and since has worked as HSC’s Deacon and LIFT (Living In Faith Together) Coordinator.
Dringus has a Liturgical Ministry assignment at HSC—meaning he plans and assists at Liturgical celebrations (masses, weddings, baptisms) and para-liturgies (Liturgy of the Hours, Tenebrae, Holy Hours, Benediction and Stations of the Cross). Dringus, along with Phil Whitney, coordinator, leads the HSC Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), the process for bringing non-Christians and Christians of other faith traditions into the Catholic Church. The process includes scripture and faith sharing.
“I am drawn to my ministry by the desire to help people celebrate and explore their faith,” said Dringus, who resides in East Greenbush with his wife, Tita, and has one son and two grandsons. 'This ministry has required me to deepen my own understanding of scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church.' Dringus added that this was part of the reason he pursued a master’s degree in pastoral studies from St. Bernard's School of Ministry and Theology, which he completed in 2005.
In 2005, Dingus began reading about whole parish catechesis, where parishioners of all ages come together to learn about one specific aspect of Catholic Church life. With the support of Fr. Joe O’Brien and a dedicated team, Living In Faith Together (LIFT) was born. LIFT is now the umbrella for all faith formation and sacramental preparation at HSC. Dringus’ vision is that someday the LIFT gatherings, supplemented by immediate sacramental preparation, will be the primary faith formation program at HSC. At present, Holy Spirit offers a blended model that includes gatherings and weekly sessions, explained Dringus.
