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New youth director welcomed to the diocese

Story and photo by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

Bishop Edward K. Braxton welcomed Gary Landoll to the diocese as the new director of youth ministry.

Landoll takes over the position tomorrow, Oct. 1 from Colette Kennett who retired after guiding diocesan youth ministry for more than 30 years.

“I want to carry on the tradition Colette has begun and honor her work,” Landoll said. “I will learn about the people as I encounter them.”

Landoll said the Diocese of Belleville has more Catholic youth attending the annual diocesan conference than in the Toledo, Ohio diocese from which he came.

The annual youth conference will be held in March, 2011 as it has traditionally been held.While Landoll comes from Ohio, his wife, Lori, comes from Mascoutah. He said it was difficult leaving his family there, but it will be a blessing for their family to share time with other family members here.

And a web cam keeps his parents up to date on his four children here.

Landoll’s background includes a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Toledo and three years at the Benedictine seminary at St. Meinrad’s Archabbey in Indiana.

It was a time when he considered whether he was being called to the priesthood. He received a master’s degree in theology.

“I count my time at St. Meinrad to be one of God’s greatest blessings to me,” Landoll said. “I was given so many wonderful gifts such as growing deeper in my knowledge and love of God and his church.”

After leaving the seminary, Landoll met and married his wife, Lori, and took a position as a director of religious education at a small parish in Kentucky.

“For four years, I not only helped to shape and form others in the faith, I was also afforded the opportunity to walk side by side with those who lived their Catholic faith day in and day out.”

Later, he moved back to Ohio to become an assistant director of youth and young adult ministry in the Diocese of Toledo.

Most recently, he has taught theology at a diocesan Catholic high school.

Landoll said he is excited about returning to full time youth ministry, getting to know the youth, young adults and youth leaders in the diocese.

He said he has worked with the comprehensive model of youth ministry being used in this diocese.
“It’s an opportunity to begin anew with relationships,” he said.

He intends to keep in place the committees and councils already established and to build on what this diocese already has in place because “I take my responsibilities to youth seriously,” he said.

Landoll and his wife, Lori, have four children: Michael 9, Christopher 6, Emily 4 and Rachel 1.

The Landolls belong to St. Nicholas Parish in O’Fallon.