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Graduands extol their studies'
richness
CHRIS MILLER, Western
Catholic Reporter
October 25, 2010
EDMONTON – There
are many facets to college life at Newman Theological College.
Much like other colleges, the students are educated, they socialize,
their faith grows, and they learn through academic studies. What is
most important and different at Newman is that the graduands
encounter Jesus in a unique and intimate way.
"These elements of faith and academic study, when combined, will
surely make for some of the strongest possible witnesses to the
beauty of the Gospel message," said Father Dean Dowle, the 2010
valedictorian.
Dowle, who was ordained a priest earlier this year, graduated with a
bachelor of theology. By virtue of our Baptism, he said the
Christian faith calls all people to be theologians in some respect.
"The need to seek God is part of our human nature. The existence of
our very souls provides us with the capacity to believe in God and,
therefore, to know Christ," said Dowle. "If we aren't striving to
understand our faith more deeply, we aren't theologians."
Those who enter the hallowed doors of Newman College are given what
they seek: knowledge, insight, counsel, wisdom, camaraderie,
community, and the love of Christ. These new gifts will help them
through tough times in the coming years.
"True, certain roads ahead may be rough or harrowing, but in what we
have been taught and in the formation we have received, we will have
been amply prepared and very able to assist others we will encounter
along the way," said Dowle.
Billy Isenor, a Franciscan who recently made his final vows, has
been attending classes at Newman College for five years. He received
his master of theological studies, and might continue taking classes
at the college depending on his vocation.
He is still in the process of discernment about the priesthood. If
he goes that route, he will likely continue at Newman to fulfill his
ordination requirements.
"If you think of most people's Catholic faith, our formal education
stops at the end of catechism and when you're confirmed, in terms of
understanding your faith and who God is, and how this plays a role
in your life," said Isenor.
He said it's been an honour to go through the process of attaining
his master's degree.
"That's how I would describe the experience - intellect and heart
coming together," he said.
Returning to school at Newman College was a shock in some ways
because Isenor, a chef by trade, had to relearn God from an adult
perspective. As an adult, having a relationship with God was
different from the basics he had learned as a child.
"I was challenged to think about God in a very intelligible way, and
in an adult way, instead of in a childlike way," he said.
Taking college classes, he was blown away by learning about
something that was incredibly complex.
ONGOING LEARNING
"What I thought I knew about God, I realized that I knew nothing.
Walking away now with this degree, I have to say I still only know a
smidgeon."
Even if he opts not to pursue priestly ordination, Isenor might
continue taking theology classes because he loves the subject matter
so much. He still has an appetite to learn.
"It's like having sand in your mouth and it scrapes. You don't like
it at first because all of a sudden you're thinking this is not the
vision of God that you had in mind. It challenges you to
re-conceptualize what your relationship with the divine is," he
said. |
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Elisabeth Denise MacDonald, left, Alger Jay Corbett Libby and Chris
Lynn Kuly
all graduated with their master of
religious education degree.
Graduands of Newman College
at Convovation 2010
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