The rector of Brighton’s St. John’s Seminary announced Nov. 24 that Aldona E. Lingertat will lead the seminary’s Master of Arts in Ministry program as the new director replacing Sister Pierre Jean Wilson, RSM, who has led the program since 2006.

“Sister Pierre Jean has contributed so much to so many facets of our community,” said Father Arthur L. Kennedy, the seminary rector.

The outgoing director has been transferred by her superior general to Denver’s St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, where she will teach canon law.

Before becoming director Sister Jean Pierre served as the dean of admissions and records and was a member of the educational affairs committee, Father Kennedy said. The MAM program was established in the Jubilee Year 2000 to provide formation for lay students to serve the Church, as well as those interested in taking classes to deepen their faith.

“She will be greatly missed. Please join me in keeping Sister in our prayers as she undertakes her new assignment,” the rector said.

Lingertat, who served with Sister Jean Pierre as her assistant director, said, “MAM students have enjoyed Sister’s many talents and good humor. Over the past year, along with the Master of Arts in Ministry staff, Sister has spent a significant amount of time and energy planning the relocation of the MAM program to the former St. Gabriel campus in Brighton.”

Before becoming the assistant director in 2004, Lingertat taught at Milton’s Fontbonne Academy for 14 years and was campus minister for eight years serving the communities at Simmons College and the Boston campus of the University of Massachusetts.

Lingertat earned her bachelor’s in political science and sociology from Boston University in 1972, her master’s in sociology from Tufts University in 1975, her master’s in pastoral ministry from Boston College in 1993 and her doctorate in theology and education from Boston College in 2007. She is a member of South Boston’s St. Peter’s Lithuanian Parish, where she is a volunteer catechist, the coordinator of the Arise program and serves on the liturgy committee and the parish pastoral council.

Father Kennedy said he was very happy that Lingertat will bring her background to her new job. “Aldona will bring to her new position the wealth of experience she has gained through the development of the MAM program. She is very familiar with the resources available in the archdiocese and beyond, as well as with lay formation programs around the country.”

The rector also announced that he asked David and Angela Franks to undertake the role of co-associate directors of the MAM program. David is a full-time professor at the seminary and has taught moral theology in the MAM program for two years, while his wife has taught elective courses.

The MAM program offers courses in philosophy, theology, canon law, spirituality, and various pastoral courses. The academic program is complemented by field education and spiritual and human formation. Classes are also open to non-degree students and auditors. More information is available at 617-779-4104 or at the Web site www.sjs.edu/mam.