Welcome Barbara Yoder

Meet Mrs. Barbara Yoder in her words.

“Cincinnati has always been my home.  My husband Ken and I met during our college years. We have a shared love of this city.  We love the arts, the wonderful park system, the historic architecture, and so much more.  We have never wanted to live anywhere else. We have built a loving home here with our two daughters, Laura and Katie.

I graduated from Xavier University with a BA in Business and Marketing.  After graduation, Ken and I married and we both went to work using our hard earned degrees.  I was blessed to be home with our daughters during their preschool years, and when our children were ready to begin school, I heard about a part time job at our local parish. I was soon hired and working in the parish office.

Working in the parish was eye opening.  You have the opportunity, at every level, to make an impact in the lives of people who are a part of your own faith community.  As the years passed, and I took on more and more responsibility, I was approached by the parish DRE and my pastor about continuing my education and moving into ministry as a Coordinator of Religious Education.  I spent time considering this and decided to make the move to attend a class at the Athenaeum.

After this first class, I decided that I should continue, and in 2013 I earned my M.A.P.M.  My time in the Lay Pastoral Ministry Program at the Athenaeum was life changing.  I eagerly looked forward to each class, and felt that I was blessed to have the most wonderful and inspiring teachers.  My knowledge of the faith and my relationship with God grew by leaps and bounds.

Through the Lay Pastoral Ministry Program, I gained the education and confidence I needed to be effective as a Director of Religious Education, creating and overseeing religious education opportunities for both children and adults.  I have served in this capacity at both Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Church in Taylor Creek and also at Saint Joseph Church in North Bend. 

I am thrilled to be continuing my ministry at the Athenaeum.  In my new role, I hope to be able to inspire and assist students to look for opportunities to use their education and talent to serve God, by serving others as leaders in faith at the parish and in the wider community.”

Welcome Barbara!