Introduction and dedication……………..pp

Introduction and Dedication

Every year, the editors of The Phoenix include an introduction at the start of the publication that serves as a reminder to all readers that the contents of The Phoenix are unique, creative, and worthy of admiration and respect. It exemplifies why The Phoenix is treasured annually by so many members of the Thiel community. For the 2022 edition of this publication, editor Molly Shepler ’22 has written that introduction on behalf of the editors and the editorial board. Her writing, featured below, is not only a tribute to the work and creativity put forth by the contributing students, faculty, staff, and alumni who allowed for the creation of this year’s issue of The Phoenix, but it serves especially as a tribute to Reverend Donald Hall to whom this edition is dedicated. Donald is the beloved late husband of Dr. Mary Theresa Hall, a Professor of English at Thiel College. ************

The act of creation is often a labor of love. Beginning a painting, a poem, a story, a sculpture, or even an academic or scholarly project is often fresh and exciting as one anticipates the final product, but once the difficult work of actually bringing an idea to fruition becomes tedious and challenging, that excitement can quickly wear off. Perhaps the true essence of creation, therefore, comes not from the initial creative thought, but rather from the process: from deliberately choosing, repeatedly, to work toward an end goal purely for the sake of creating. The Phoenix provides an opportunity for those who wish to partake in a larger, community-wide act of creation; poets and artists humbly share their labors of love in their poetry, paintings, original photographs, and short stories in anticipation of being part of the final product. Similarly, we might often characterize the development of our lives as a labor of love: trying to understand the world, our place in it, and making choices that allow us to contribute to it requires time, patience, and intentionality, regardless of uncertainty. In years past, The Phoenix has been read and thoroughly enjoyed by many people. Supporters of the publication know the significance of pouring out oneself for the benefit of others and respect the work of The Phoenix contributors. They carefully peruse the pages of the publication, reflecting on each word or piece of art with thoughtful admiration. One such person who always found joy in reading, appreciating, and sometimes even submitting his own work to The Phoenix was Donald Hall. Referring to the submissions in the 2021 issue of The Phoenix, he once told the members of the editorial board: “they have been a great gift for me, providing such rich material for reflection, giving me insight into others’ experiences and expression.” Among the many lessons that may be derived from his work and life, one could be that creation is a labor of love, but also that loving and serving others is a labor of love. His great support and appreciation of the publication warrants recognition, but so does his humble life of willing and selfless service, ministry, and outreach. The scriptures encourage those who strive to live the Christian life to “love each other deeply” and to “offer hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4: 8-9). Peter wrote to young Christians in the first century, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4: 10). And in his letter to the church of Philippi, also in the first century, Paul the Apostle wrote, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). The life of Donald Hall was a picture of humble service; he was continuously engaged in some kind of selfless work for the benefit of others. He was known to go out of his way to minister to friends, family members, those in the churches he served, or even complete strangers. He strived to complete the continuous work of service to which he believed he was called by God. Donald was an accomplished scholar, and he certainly used his gifts of learning and teaching to share his knowledge with those around him throughout his life. He was a graduate of St. Vincent Preparatory High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from St. Vincent College. He received his master’s degree in theology from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and received a master’s in social work and a master’s in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh. Donald served as a priest in the Greensburg, Pennsylvania,

Diocese, where he also acted as the Executive Director of its Catholic Charities. Later, his orders were received into the Episcopal Church. He was the rector at Trinity Episcopal Church in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Canfield, Ohio. Until his retirement, he served as the rector at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Niles, Ohio. For three years, he was also Executive Director of Family Guidance Center, a serial service agency, in Reading, Pennsylvania. Donald also extended his knowledge to Thiel College students for several years as an adjunct professor in the Religion and Sociology Departments, and he taught at Duquesne University in the Education Department as well. Additionally, he served as Chaplain for Seton Hill University and Clelian Heights in Greensburg. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army where he earned the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and was an M-16 grenade expert. He served in the Army in Louisiana and in Heidelberg, Germany, from December 1969-December 1972.

Donald and Mary Theresa were married on August 10, 1996. In their 25 years of marriage, their dedication and service to each other created a strong partnership based on a covenant of commitment and loving sacrifice. Donald lived a full and humble life of outreach. He went about his days with a heart postured toward a daily labor of love for his work, his faith, and for those around him. With each sunrise, he honored the Creator in whom he believed by striving to act in accordance with the scriptures by using his gifts and talents to humbly serve, and in doing so, he touched many lives. We dedicate this year’s issue of The Phoenix to him out of admiration for the life he led, and for his quiet, gentle spirit which thoughtfully supported the artists, poets, and authors featured in The Phoenix year after year. He was a man who spent his life laboring out of love for the benefit of others before himself; may we all learn to live a little bit more by his example.

-Molly Shepler ’22