Yesterday was my graduation at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. It is the culmination of a 3 year journey in which moved by my faith, I was seeking greater understanding of God (rephrasing Anselm of Canterbury's definition of Theology). I felt the call from Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to join him in caring for souls, to join him in feeding the sheep, and be also a shepherd with Him (in Latin, a pastor). Although I was hearing Jesus calling me by name, I hesitated. It was so different from my professional career. My wife Angie helped me see how aligned this path was with my talents and passions, and helped me gain the confidence to take the first step.
In the past years I have learned about Theology, Scripture, Ethics, Cannon Law, Ministry, Christology, Liturgy, Church history, and spirituality. I have learned to appreciate the beauty and elegance of our faith, the mystery and and complexity of some of our beliefs, and I have been able to see God with a renewed sense of awe. The more I studied, the more I realized how little I could comprehend about God and His works. The studies helped me immensely, yet, only love, and service, and community and grace, have truly helped me to better know and experience our wonderful God.
If anyone reading this is wondering about pursuing a similar program, I highly recommend the graduate program at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. The convenience of distant learning and the quality and competency of the faculty are great, but the best traits is how much Virginia the program Director and her faculty care about the students and their growth. They really invest themselves completely and at the end you finish with not only increased knowledge, but also with deep friendships. The sense of community among the students is one of the best gifts of this program. Mixed with the joy of not having to write more papers was the sadness of not been an active member of this wonderful community of shepherds. Well, there's e-mail and the annual Summer get-togethers...
And the journey continues. I love my career in Information Technology, helping companies increase their business value through technology and helping grow IT leaders. Yet, I love to compliment that with a vocation as a Pastoral Coach, helping people grow in their careers, in their personal development, and in their relationships by integrating Christian spirituality with the rest of their lives. With God's grace, I will continue to answer the call to act with justice, love tenderly, to serve one another, and to humbly walk with God (David Hass and Micah 6:8)
Technorati Tags: Accomplish Goals, Catholic
I am so proud of you! I have seen you grow deeper in your relationship with God. I continue to love you more deeply each day.
Posted by: angie | May 07, 2006 at 02:21 PM
Hector, Way to go! What a wonderful accomplishment! Graduations are often a time of bittersweetness mixed with the electricity of excitement, aren't they? I'm so happy for you!
Posted by: HeyJules | May 07, 2006 at 02:28 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Julie D. | May 07, 2006 at 05:07 PM
Mazel Tov! I just checked in to see if you posted about the Good Shepherd! And you did. I pray that God will continue to bless you abundantly.
Posted by: patti | May 07, 2006 at 05:54 PM
Congratulations, Hector! You worked really hard to earn this degree. I know it cannot have been easy holding down a full-time job and all.
May God richly bless you as you serve him.
Posted by: Argent | May 07, 2006 at 10:31 PM
Beautiful news, Hector. Congratulations. And to Angie, the pastoral coach's coach--you go, Girl!
Meg
Posted by: Meg | May 07, 2006 at 10:48 PM
Wonderful news! Congratulations, and many God grant you many years, in peace, health, and happiness!
Posted by: R | May 08, 2006 at 12:16 AM
Congratulations! May this be the beginning of a wonderful journey for you.
Posted by: Essy | May 08, 2006 at 09:30 AM
Congratulations Hector! That is quite an accomplishment!
Posted by: Elena | May 08, 2006 at 02:40 PM
wow and congrats and heaps of blessings :)
now write more!!
Posted by: Lorna | May 08, 2006 at 04:45 PM
As one theology student to a theology graduate, congrats! Way to go! Bravo! Now that you're commissioned, go out and spread the Good News! :)
Posted by: TO | May 08, 2006 at 06:27 PM
Thanks everyone for such nice words and comments. It is really nice to be done, although I enjoyed my classes very much. I hope to now have more time to read and blog for pleasure!
Posted by: Hector | May 10, 2006 at 12:12 AM
I echo everybody else's congratulatory remarks! I am so pleased to read about this tremendous accomplishment. God bless as you go forth in this new chapter of your life.
Posted by: Valerie | May 10, 2006 at 11:16 PM
Oh what joy you must feel! My priest and others at the Institute are asking me to consider taking the B.A in Applied Theology (am currently studying Theology as part of a 2 year distance learning programme in the Diocese)and it is such a huge commitment that at this point I have declined their encouragements to consider going for the degree at this point in my life.
Because I am aware of the time, effort, ,money that is required to do the Masters believe me, I mean it when I say that I am truly rejoicing with you, because I know that this is a mammoth thing that you have done. You are one of the most inspiring writers on the net and you have so much to contribute. Please don't ever stop being the wonderful Witness to God that you are. It's a pleasure to wish you hearty congratulations on your success!
God Bless you, Hector!
Posted by: ukok | May 11, 2006 at 06:19 AM
oh, how wonderful :) you are a gem, hector - have fun on vacation :)
Posted by: ~m2~ | May 11, 2006 at 01:01 PM
Just catching up on blogs - sorry to be late, but Congratulations!
Posted by: Steve Bogner | May 13, 2006 at 09:09 AM
Congrats. I still have another year of class then my final before I am through. I won't actually graduate until May of 08. It still seems a ways off but I really only have three more classes left after the one I am in now.
I agree with you: the more you learn the only thing you actually know is how much you really don't know. (my own rephrasing.)
Posted by: Maggie | May 23, 2006 at 08:01 PM