Looking Back: Ministry Alumna Recognized

Ministry Alumna Recognized by Dallas’ African American Catholic Community

Date published: Mar. 21, 2016

After receiving a master of pastoral ministry degree in 2007, Lari Newman-Williams returned to the Neuhoff Institute in 2012 for a graduate certificate in church management. Her responsibilities as parish administrator at Dallas’ Holy Cross Catholic Church include business and facilities management, human resources and payroll. She serves on the parish pastoral council and liturgy committee and as parish liaison to the community.

Newman-Williams has been recognized by the National Black Catholic Congress for her service to Dallas’ African-American Catholic Community.

A lover of music, Newman-Williams is a master cantor for parish liturgies and also assists with the choir at Bishop Dunne Catholic School. Youth ministry is a longtime passion of hers. Upon retirement, Newman-Williams hopes to travel with her husband of 32 years, with whom she has a daughter.

“My biggest satisfaction is being of service to the people of God, especially when individuals come to me, and I’m able to counsel them, advise them of scriptures to read for wisdom and encouragement, and find resources and opportunities to enrich their lives,” said Newman-Williams.

Newman Williams was also recognized by the Neuhoff Institute with the “Lumen Gentium” award, an honor given to an alumnus of the Neuhoff Institute Graduate Program. In 2013, she demonstrated her continued support for her alma mater when she began working on a research project on contemporary parish life with undergraduate pastoral ministry majors at the Neuhoff Institute. Newman-Williams also recently visited the University of Dallas in January to contribute to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Symposium.

Originally published in Tower Magazine, Winter 2015.