I don't know how it happened, but apparently the Holy Father got a look at my most recent paper. I didn't realize he had to review our work. Do you see it? There it is, right in his hand, double spaced, margins 1 inch from the top, bottom, and sides. All to spec. And he's holding it up as an example.
Oh, dear.
What he's really saying, is, "Where did she get THAT out of Salvifici Doloris?
Holy Father, I'll try to do better next time.
In all seriousness, I actually have good news, and thanks to those of you who have been praying for me. I got a 96 on our first assignment, and a 92 on my paper on Suffering and Redemption. I'm pleased. An "A" and an "A-" in my first real theology class, grad level especially? YEAH!
But it didn't come without a price.
And this is where I begin my pontifications. Are you really surprised?
This class has been absolutely a Godsend. The classroom sessions have been quite illuminating, the reading has continued the illumination, and I wish I had obtained this knowledge long ago. I wish everyone could be a part of this.
The program boasts of personal formation as a part of the program, and I actually figured that to be somewhat of a "selling" point, and so it is, but I can verify the truth of the statement; I did not realize the true formative capacity of these teachings.
They do not necessarily come from the professor, although Professor Douglas Bushman was stellar in his instruction. The formative capacity does not come entirely from the writings of John Paul II, although I had several moments of complete understanding thanks to him.
The formation comes from the Holy Spirit, resulting from the classroom instruction, the material, AND the openness of the subject to the workings of the Holy Spirit himself.
I can see how someone could attend the classes, learn some things, read some stuff, and answer the questions, making the entire process boring and mechanical, and thus be unaffected. We have to be open to the Holy Spirit.
I have actually found that the Holy Spirit was better able to reach me through these lessons by virtue of my own fiat in attending the class. I did not know what to expect, I do not have an undergrad theology degree, and my only hope was that I was not in over my head. Not only did God answer, but God SURROUNDED me in this endeavor and he has changed me forever through the knowledge obtained. In other words, God reached me through my weakness and brought out the strength which I can only attest to Him, not to me.
I highly recommend this program at Ave Maria University. For those who are "local" (Minneapolis, MN, Green Bay, WI), you still have time to apply for next semester. Please consider doing so. Everything is due by May 15.
Learn more by visiting the website for AMU's Institute for Pastoral Theology.
9 comments:
Could you do me a favour? Ask what's available of similar calibre for someone in Toronto? Perhaps someone there might be able to point me at a similar offering here.
W
Ultra ~ I don't think I can be of help to you in that regard.
But you could contact them and see if there's a similar Canadian program...or you and your fiance could apply at AMU and come visit me once a month, we'll car pool down to the classes, and you two can use my spare room and my couch! :-)
Seriously...does Canada have nothing?????
The web page has a phone number and an email address...you could inquire. They may have some info.
You had no intention of becoming American, did you?
I told ya so!
Congratulations, Adoro!
(Maybe I could become a test and paper reader for AMU?)
LOL!
You opening caption had me howling this morning! Thanks!
Congrats. I knew you'd do well.
Adoro: See, I done told ya and told ya, you could do it!
LMAO! Well, at least the Supreme Pontiff, apparently, did not see your drawing of the crucified Lord with the blood and the smilie face-haha. Although, I must say you are in a class by yourself if a theologian like the Pope is reviewing your work!
Ray ~ LOL!
Fr. V. ~ Glad you liked it. :-)
Theooid ~ Thanks.
Cathy ~ Hmmm...maybe we could doctor that photo and replace what's in his hand with the scanned image...and then change the caption. ;-) Or maybe I should delete that image from my blog just in case he happens by.
Seriously, if something of mine was ever forwarded to the Pope to review, I'd probably die. Good thing the odds are against such a thing. (I mean the paper being forwarded, not dying, dying is likely to happen at some point...)
Hey, will you ever have a class taught by Dr. Tom Scheck? H recently took a position teaching at Ave Maria. He is my cuz and an awesome intellect if I do brag on the family tree.
He has an interesting revert story to tell as well.
angelmeg ~ I actually don't know who will be teaching what yet. I know from a recent conv. with Prof. Bushman that there's a unit he'll be instructing next fall, but I don't know of any other specifics at this time. I'll keep your cousin's name in mind! :-)
I love revert stories! :-)
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