Alumni Profile an interview with
Grace Burnworth, 2016, MAPS Why did you decide to study Theology/Ministry? I have always been involved in ministry opportunities on the side. After working in a variety of other things, I realized it was the thing that I wanted to be at the center of my life instead of an extracurricular.
Why did you choose Aquinas? When I went to tour Aquinas, I was welcomed and felt that it was a place that wasn’t solely about teaching the Gospel, but about living it. I felt immediately that I was in a place where proposing Jesus Christ to one another was the focus and learning surrounded that. I wanted to be a part of this place.
Tell us about your current job and your other activities. I am a Senior Theology Teacher at St. John Vianney High School, a Marianist, all boys high school in St. Louis. In addition I serve on the Campus Ministry Team and as Assistant Swim Coach. I am also the Head Swim Coach at Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis)
How do you understand yourself as Preacher?
Recent Faculty Publications Rhodora Beaton: “Between the Center and the Margins: Young Catholics, ‘Sorta-Catholics,’ and Baptismal Identity” in “Sacramental Theology: Theory and Practice from Multiple Perspectives,” edited by Bruce Morrill, special issue, Religions 10, no. 9 (2019). Connections: A Lectionary Commentary for Preaching and Worship, Westminster John Knox Press (forthcoming). Stewart Clem: “Still Human: A Thomistic Analysis of ‘Persistent Vegetative State,’” Studies in Christian Ethics, Vol. 32, No. 1 (Feb. 2019): 46-55. Hsin-hsin Huang: “A God Who Loves Us,” The Presbyterian Outlook, August 23, 2019. “What Do You Want Me to Do for You”, The New Messenger, Issue 169, June, 2019 (in Mandarin).
The Aquinas Way
I view my mission as teacher as a role in preaching. I view my job as an opportunity to propose Jesus Christ and form his disciples in a classroom.
preaching the gospel in word and deed
Any favorite classes or faculty at Aquinas?
“St. Dominic formed an order of preachers. It is not
Fr. Don Goergen, O.P. really impacted my understanding of Christology. I not only learned about Christology, but about excellent teaching methods in theology. I employ a lot of his questioning and discussion-based methods in my classroom.
what we do. It is who we are. Mission is not what we
Do you have a favorite Dominican saint?
age, we can no longer speak. We are preachers even
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati is MY MAN. Big fan. He’s so relatable and cool. I mean, who free climbs in the Alps? He does. Casual.
do. It is who we are. And if that is clear, everything will just follow. We are preachers even when we are not preaching. We are preachers even if in our old if we are not ordained. We are preachers even if we are sick. We are preachers even if we are doing serious research alone in our rooms. We are
Do you have a favorite or special memory of your time at Aquinas Institute? Basically, any class that I got to spend with my peers is a favorite memory. We are all close to this day and look back with gratitude on our times learning together.
To hear more from Grace, or from other alumni,
CLICK HERE to view our new video “The Aquinas Way.”
preachers when we are helping the less privileged. We are preachers. That is our identity.” — Fr. Gerard Timoner, O.P., Master of the Order of Preachers Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner, O.P., was elected Master of the Order of Preachers, the 88th successor to St. Dominic on July 13, 2019 at the General Chapter in Vietnam. Fr. Gerard is a son of the Province of the Philippines and the first Asian Master of the Order.
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