Congratulations to our graduates...

Andrew Brueggen, Corene Marco, Michelle Nietzke, Daniel Streefland, and Michelle Quinn! Well done!

(...and all our scads of minors who graduated as well!)

May God bless you; come back and visit soon!

The Summer 2011 Theology Reading List!

...Just a few suggestions of books we've enjoyed (or are enjoying) that may be fun to take to the pool or lakeshore this summer. We try to suggest books that may not be assigned in class, are relevant to theology-minded folks, and just good, thoughtful summer reads.

Sr. Judith Schaefer, OP:

• Metaxas, Eric. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy.
  

Prof. Gregory Sobolewski:

• Birnbaum, Ben, ed. Take Heart: Catholic Writers on Hope in Our Time. New York: Crossroad Publishing, 2007.

Prof. Susan Windley-Daoust:

• Reynolds, Thomas. Vulnerable Communion: A Theology of Disability and Hospitality. Brazos Press, 2008.
• Bransfield, J. Brian. The Human Person: According to John Paul II. Pauline Books, 2010.

More additions to the list as I receive them....

Question: How do I determine what I need to do be a lay ecclesial minister or teach theology?

(Answer: it's a bit more than taking the required courses and having a good heart.)

Don't be afraid of the technology--it's really quite easy, and you want to do this! And since you have now finished exams (woo hoo!), you have time to do it as well!

As you move through one of the Theology-affiliated majors (or minors) and your liberal arts education at Saint Mary's University, you will be discerning who it is God calls you to be--as well as which skills, educational choices, and formation opportunities you need to best fulfill that vocation. This 14 minute video explains the easy "fill in the blanks" concept map that will help you see for yourself (and show others!) what you have done in the effort required to discern vocation, what your natural interests are, and what work you still need to do. It is designed to be a help in your growing self-awareness, as well as a key to seeing if your desire to move into lay ministry or teaching theology is in line with the guidelines provided by the U.S. Bishops.

If you want to see the Prezi presentation in this video and move through it at your own speed (but without the audio), click here.

Ignore the somewhat lackluster first minute of the video and please watch!

Contact any of us in the theology department with questions.

--Dr WD

Senior thesis presentations, May 2011

Michelle Nietzke, Ellen Bina, Michelle Quinn, and Dan Streefland presenting senior research May 4, 2011. Andrew Brueggen also completed senior research this academic year.