MA Grad Reflects on Growth in Knowledge and Faith

MA Grad Reflects on Growth in Knowledge and Faith

BY UTE EBLE

In 2017, the Army sent my husband Joe, me, and our four children to Hawaii. I began thinking about job options for when my youngest would start Kindergarten. Ever since I started learning about my faith on an adult level during pre-cana instructions I have loved growing in knowledge and being challenged to grow in faith. In what I can only describe as a “Holy Spirit moment,” I realized with great clarity that I should switch from my background in business administration to working in Religious Education. This would build on my previous experience as a corporate trainer and volunteer at several military chapels where I had been a Catechist and active in the CWOC program. I felt, and still do, that Religious Education is the perfect sweet spot where I can use my skills and talents for something that brings me joy, helps others, and serves God. I started working as the Religious Education Coordinator (CREC) for our Chapel and decided to pursue a graduate certificate in catechesis to fulfill the AMS educational requirements for CRECs

I chose to enroll in the Catholic Distance University (CDU) over other universities. CDU’s program was designed to be completed exclusively online; the existing partnership with the AMS, and interesting course descriptions made it a perfect fit. After completing my first course, “The Catholic Theological Tradition,” I realized that I had found a “home,” and switched to the MA in Theology and Educational Ministry degree program.

Several of my classmates were connected to the military, including some on active-duty joining from downrange. I felt understood when I shared about my work. In military chapels, different Christian denominations and even other religions share buildings and resources. My studies helped me understand the different religious viewpoints and defend the Catholic

position firmly but charitably. Soldiers and their families come from all corners of our diverse Catholic faith. Frequent moves, the stress of training, and deployments make it harder to build community and form a team of well-trained catechists. I firmly believe that what helped me be successful in the program was the emphasis on kerygmatic catechesis and the conversion of the baptized that was covered in my studies.

Now that my husband has retired from the military and we moved back to his hometown, I work at the civilian parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Indianapolis, IN, as the Director of Religious Education. I love integrating faith formation with elementary education at the associated school providing life-long faith formation for all members of the parish. Thankfully, I can continue to support catechists in the AMS as a facilitator of the VLCFF certification courses.

CDU has undoubtedly provided me with the necessary theological knowledge and practical skills for my job, but what I appreciated the most is that the school and faculty went beyond that and helped me grow in my faith. I am a better disciple now than before I attended CDU.

—Ute Eble, MA in Theology and Educational Ministry (2020)

The Saint John Vianney Circle was established to honor in a unique way those for whom an AMS named and endowed co-sponsored seminarian scholarship has or will be named, and the benefactors who establish them. Saint John Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests. The AMS Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program remains the only U.S. vocations program that provides priests to serve both as military chaplains, and in parishes and dioceses across the country struggling with their own critical shortage of ministers. More than 60 priests have been ordained as a part of the program since 2008. The Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program was established more than 30 years ago. Currently, the AMS partners with 33 U.S. dioceses and one religious order, and has 43 seminarians studying in 18 seminaries. Once a co-sponsored priest is ordained, he first serves three years in his home diocese or religious community before being released for full-time military service for at least five years. When the priest separates from the military, he returns to his diocese or community and brings with him the richness of his military experience. In many cases, he will serve longer in his home diocese or community than in the military. In 2021, there will be as many as 10 ordinations to the priesthood and 10 ordinations to the transitional diaconate. In 2020, two co-sponsored priests began active-duty service after having completed the required three years of parishdonor recognition New Donor Recognition Society: St. John Vianney Circle BY MARY LAVIN 32 ministry in their home diocese; three more are do so in 2021, and as many as five in 2022. expected to

Formation expenses are shared between the AMS and a seminarian’s home diocese or religious community, with the AMS average cost per seminarian now $20,000; $100,000 over five years of formation. With just the current number of seminarians, the AMS cost for the 2020-2021 academic year is estimated to be $860,000; the total cost is expected to exceed $4,300,000 over the next five years alone.

In addition to one-time, monthly or annual gifts received in support of the Vocations and Co-Sponsored Seminarian Programs, the combined interest earned from the 19 scholarships established since first introduced in 2014 provides an additional source of revenue as the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program continues to thrive, and expenses increase. Named and endowed scholarships assist with current costs while helping to build a long-term sustainable source of revenue as prayers for vocations to the priesthood and military chaplaincy continue to be answered.

The name, photo, diocese or religious order of most of the 43 co-sponsored seminarians, and the co-sponsored priests ordained 2018-2020, may be found on page 26-27 of the Christmas 2020 issue of Salute. Please keep them in your prayers, and if in a position to do so, please consider a donation. V

For information about establishing a scholarship, email mlavin@milarch.org or call (440) 223-6482.

THE ST. JOHN VIANNEY CIRCLE PLAQUE WAS INSTALLED NEXT TO THE ST. GEORGE’S CIRCLE PLAQUE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE EDWIN CARDINAL

Spring 2021 O’BRIEN PASTORAL CENTER. THE ST. GEORGE’S CIRCLE FOR RETIRED CHAPLAINS WAS THE FIRST AMS DONOR RECOGNITION SOCIETY. | 33