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Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries 2014 GPPM Graduates! The final edition of the GPPM newsletter for the 2013-2014 school year is dedicated to the 14 students who will graduate on June 13th. Some of their stories are featured on the following pages. We look forward to Fall Quarter, 2014 when classes will be offered in Fresno, Sacramento, and San Bernardino in addition to Monterey and the SCU campus. See the article on this page for more details and the final page for a class schedule.
Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries Delivery of Classes Classes are delivered in three modes in the GPPM. First, classes are offered in the traditional face-to-face classroom experience. Students meet once a week in the evening for ten weeks in an assigned classroom. Second, classes are offered in a blended format. On three Saturdays during the ten weeks of the course, students meet for an all day session in the traditional face-to-face classroom experience. For the remaining seven weeks, the students meet with the professor online in a live session (synchronous video conferencing) once a week. These courses take place in the individual homes of the participants. Third, any class may be taken fully online. This option is open only to students who cannot attend a traditional face-to-face classroom. They must have the approval of the Director to take a course fully online. In this case, the student may join the traditional face-to-face classes through synchronous video conferencing as well as the weekly synchronous video conferencing for those courses that are offered in the blended format. Summary: 1) You go to class. 2) You go to class and talk with the professor and other students on your computer.
June 2014
3) You only talk to the professor and other students on your computer.
MA
artin
rgenti
I stumbled into the GPPM about two and a half years ago as a non-degree seeking student and not quite knowing what I had gotten myself into. After one quarter of Fundamental Theology with Fred Parrella and History of Western Christian Spirituality with Bob Hurd, I was hooked. I jumped into a Spirituality major with reckless abandon and no concern for the necessary work/study/ministry balance in my life (I had not yet taken the requisite courses with Don St. Louis to be able to cobble together a proper self-care plan!), and I can honestly say that I am a better person for having taken that plunge. I am deeply indebted to all of my professors for sharing their wisdom and knowledge with me over the last few years, and to my fellow GPPM students for journeying together with me in this experience. I am also extremely grateful for the support of my family, the seemingly infinite patience of my wife, and the unwavering comfort provided by my dog each time she found me collapsed in a heap on the living room floor, wondering how on earth I was supposed to unravel another 500 words about the dynamic mystery of the perfect expression of God’s infinite love within the three persons of the Trinity (this happened on more than one occasion). I carry you all with me as I move forward with my work in campus ministry at Saint Lawrence Academy and beyond, and I pray that each day finds us more attuned to the movement of God’s Spirit in our lives.
MB arie
ernard
Marie Bernard is the Executive Director of Sunnyvale Community Services, a position she has held since 2010. The mission of Sunnyvale Community Services is to prevent homelessness and hunger in the local community, helping 7,000 individuals each year with financial aid and food. Their work brings together 900+ volunteers from faith groups, corporations, and community groups. Prior to joining Sunnyvale Community Services, Marie worked for 19 years at Hewlett-Packard in a variety of director and management positions in marketing and workforce development. After leaving HP in 2003, she was Director of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of San Jose, and then became the CEO of Project HIRED, a nonprofit organization assisting individuals with disabilities to gain employment. Marie has served on the Board of Directors for several nonprofits in Santa Clara County and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Second Harvest Food Bank. She is a member of Queen of Apostles Parish in San Jose. Marie holds an MBA from The Wharton School of Business at the Univ ersity of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. in History from the University at Buffalo. Marie and her family live in Sunnyvale.
Graduate Commenceent Activities Friday, June 13, 2014
Graduate Commencement Liturgy, Leavey Center 4:00 PM
GPPM Dinner Reception Benson Memorial Center, Williman Room 5:15 - 7:00 PM
Graduates line up at 7:00 PM for procession in front of the Bookstore Doors to the Leavey Center open to ticketed guests only at 7:15 PM Graduate Commencement Ceremony 7:15–9:15 PM President's Reception, Malley Fitness Center 9:15-10:15 PM
RD yan
ilag
Since high school, I always knew that God was calling me into something greater than myself. Though I initially believed that my calling was in the medical field, God revealed to me a different plan during my undergraduate studies at SCU. After declaring psychology and religious studies, instead of my original focus of pre-med, I found myself at “home”. Applying to GPPM four years later was a natural transition. My courses in spirituality with Don St. Louis and theology with Fred Parrella proved to be the most enlightening and meaningful. And, through my studies, my faith in God and the discernment of my purpose in life became even clearer. Today, along with my vocations as a Youth Minister at St. Brendan’s Parish and Music Minister at St. Cecilia’s Parish (both in San Francisco), I am happily married. In fact, on June 29th, just a few weeks after my graduation, I will celebrate one year of marriage with my beautiful wife! Though my SCU chapter has come to a close, I am eager and willing for the next chapters in my life: married life and parenthood! From the bottom of my heart, thanks to all my professors and the GPPM staff for such a wonderful experience!
JD ed
e
T
orres
My name is Virgilio (Jed) de Torres. I am originally from Quezon City, Philippines, and currently work as an elementary school teacher in the Diocese of San Jose. I also minister in various roles in the Church such as cantoring, lectoring, directing a children’s choir, and religion coordinator among others. It is my passion for teaching in a Catholic Elementary School and ministering in these different roles that brought me to the GPPM program. Experiencing God in the classroom and in the different ministries created a desire to learn more about my faith so I could share my gifts even more effectively with my students and other members of the Church. I enjoyed my time studying, especially with the emphasis on Pastoral Liturgy as it spoke to the current context of my life. All of my professors helped me in different ways to understand more about my faith and how to apply it to my life. Their knowledge and wisdom in their respective areas of discipline enabled me to integrate my learning and be creative with my own expression. I felt welcomed by every professor to engage and share my thoughts even though sometimes language or cultural barriers were prevalent. My professors consistently made me feel so at ease and comfortable that it allowed me to express myself unconditionally and willingly at all faith sharing studies and opportunities. At graduation ceremonies there is a “commencement speech” and I believe that is truly fitting because I now “commence” (begin) a new chapter of my life. Whatever or wherever the Lord leads me after this graduation, I believe it is the beginning of a deeper sharing of my faith, whether in the classroom or elsewhere in the world. I am ready to “tell all the nations.”
SP r.
auline oang
H
Sister Pauline Hang Hoang was born and grew up in Vietnam. She came to the U.S. with her family when she was 22-years-old and lived in Southern California. In 1997 she joined the Quy Nhon Missionary Sisters of the Holy Cross in the Diocese of Oakland where she worked as the catechist for the Vietnamese in various parishes. After graduating from East Bay University, Sr. Pauline moved to San Jose where she works as Pastoral Associate for the Vietnamese Community in Saint Maria Goretti Parish. She is also the Director of Religious Education for the Vietnamese program. Sr. Pauline applied to SCU in 2009 and entered the GPPM with emphasis in Catechesis as a part-time student taking one course each quarter. She enjoyed the foundational courses, which helped deepen her faith and knowledge, and the Catechetical courses, which enriched her work experience. She says, “These courses instilled a more open view of Catechism, which I will incorporate into my work with religious education. The more I learn, the mor e I appreciate this program and all the professors who have enthusiasm in their hearts and immense knowledge.”
Sr. Pauline Hoang
After graduation, Sr. Pauline would like to continue her studies in other areas such as spirituality or liturgy. Although her main goal is to improve her knowledge and deepen her relationship with her Lord Jesus Christ, she plans to use her degree to help her effectively train catechists and religious teachers.
FA r.
be
K
arukakparambil
I am Abraham Antony, a Catholic priest of the diocese of Berhampur in India. I currently minister in the Diocese of San Jose serving as Parochial Vicar at St. Martin of Tours Parish. I was born in the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula. After high school, at 18, I entered the seminary. By choice I went to most backward part of India in one of the eastern states to be a missionary. In 1995, I was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Berhampur, which is around 300 miles south of Calcutta. I have three bachelor’s degrees (English, Philosophy and Theology). The graduation on June 13th, 2014 will make me a proud owner of a Master’s Degree from the esteemed Santa Clara University. Twelve years of my priestly ministry were spent in India. While there I served in parishes, the seminary, and in the diocesan chancery. My fir st assignment in the Diocese of San Jose was as Parochial Vicar at St. Simon Parish, Los Altos where I served four years. I wish to continue my studies by pursuing a doctoral program after which I will return to India to work among the poor, especially for the education and development of poor and deprived children.
Fr. Abe Karukakparambil
AM nne
cMahon
Anne is one of the few GPPM graduates who was at SCU before she began the program and will remain at SCU following graduation! Originally from the Philadelphia area, Anne moved to Santa Clara with her family 17 years ago. Following the move, she began working at SCU in the University Archives. She began pursuing her degree in the GPPM department five years ago. Shortly afterward she transitioned into her new position as the Assistant for Communications working in the president’s office. An active member of St. Clare Parish, Anne serves as a lector, is a member of the Pastoral Council, started the parish Social Justice Committee a few years ago, and now chairs it. She especially enjoys the committee’s work as a community resource and catalyst around issues of social justice. Among its activities, the committee has partnered with Catholic Relief Services for annual fair trade fares and hosting guest homilists; Grateful Garment Project for a clothing drive; Catholic Charities for a HandiCapables BBQ; and Catholic Climate Covenant for the St. Francis Pledge drive. Anne, her husband, Sean, and three children live in Santa Clara near SCU where their oldest daughter is a student in mechanical engineering. Her son is a student at Bellarmine and youngest daughter attends St. Clare School. Specializing in spirituality, Anne’s favorite classes were Ignatian Spirituality and Catholic Social Teaching. She is currently enrolled in Catholic Social Teaching this quarter and finds the class to be very energizing and relevant to her parish work. “The class is giving me the grounding and motivation to go deeper with the Social Justice Committee and parish involvement in justice issues.”
FT r.
upou
M
aafu
Tupou Maafu, a priest from Tonga, was ordained in 1999 after attending the seminary in Fiji from 1992 to 1998. He first came to the U.S. and Sacramento with his parents, Taufui and Silia, and three brothers in 2004, leaving two brothers and a sister behind in Tonga. Tupou ministered to the Tonga community in the area for several years while his parents traveled back and forth. Eventually his mother's illness forced her to remain in Sacramento where she passed away in December 2012. His father died six months later. It was during this difficult time that Tupou enrolled in the GPPM at SCU in September 2012. He says, "Fr. Michael Castori led me to the program. He taught me philosophy while I was in the seminary in Fiji. He helped me to apply for a scholarship and we established a real friendship." A highlight of the program for Tupou, who specialized in Catechetics, was "to see how catechism is a central way of evangelizing in the life of the Church, renewing the life of the people." Toward the end of his studies, Tupou took spirituality electives which he describes as "life transforming. Ignatian Spirituality really impacted my life." His favorite class was "Suffering" with Paul Crowley because, "I could see how God really fills our life and is one with us in our suffering." Other favorite professors include Fred Parella and, of course, Fr. Michael Castori who taught Hebrew Scripture. Following graduation Tupou will return to Tonga. "I am excited to see what Bishop Soane Patta Paini Mafi wants me to do. There is a possibility that I may go to Paris to minister to the Tonga Community there." In the meantime, Tupou is looking forward to graduation and the arrival of his sister Amelia Fifita, who will travel from Tonga to witness the event.
Fall 2014 Courses
JR
ennifer aby
Classes begin the week of Sept.22 Classes end the week of December 5 Course Schedule:
Jennifer first graduated from SCU in 1998 with a major in English and minor in religious studies. Following graduation, Jennifer taught English at Presentation High School where she also served as Department Chair for Campus Ministry. During her 14-years at Presentation, Jennifer came into contact with several co-workers who completed the GPPM at SCU who convinced her to give it a try. Jennifer enrolled while working full time, taking one class per quarter and majoring in spirituality. "The program has been great. I really appreciated the professors' devotion and passion for their fields, and how they brought that into the classroom made all the difference. It also impacted me because I was a teacher." Jennifer also appreciated the supportive environment at SCU. "I enjoyed the community within each class. Learning from others and sharing with them, I realized that we are all in this boat together. We are the future of the church in our different ministries." Although Jennifer finished her last class in 2011, she did not take the comprehensive exams. Instead she quit her job, moved to San Francisco where her husband had a new position, and gave birth to a baby girl named Margo in October 2012. According to Jennifer, "I used to minister to young women at Presentation High School. Now Margot is my ministry!" Returning to SCU this quarter, Jennifer enrolled in one final class and will take her comp exams this month. She adds, "My parents supported me in getting this degree. My dad said, 'all I want for my birthday and Christmas is for you to take those tests.' So I am dedicating this to my dad." As far as the immediate future, Jennifer will continue ministering to Margo and hopes to return to teaching and youth ministry one day.
Monday 6 to 9 pm Kenna 111 Christian Martyrs in El Salvador Bob LaSalle Klein, Ph.D. Tuesday 6 to 9 pm Kenna 111 SPIR 240: History of Western Christian Spirituality Paul Crowley, S.J., Ph.D. Wednesday 6 to 9 pm PLIT 202: Christian Liturgy Ricky Manalo, CSP, Ph.D.
Jennifer Raby
Additional 2014 GPPM Graduates:
LA
ourdes lonso
TC erri
hapman
MN
ichelle ation
CN hris
FJ
u単ez
r.
ohn
O
ffor
Kenna 111
Saturdays: 9/27, 11/1, 12/6* Fresno 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Office of Ministries, 1550 N. Fresno Street, PMIN 201: Fundamental Theology Fred Parrella, Ph.D. Thursday 6 to 9 pm San Bernardino Diocesan Center, 1201 E. Highland Ave. SPIR 230: Liturgical Spirituality Bob Hurd, Ph.D. Saturdays: 10/4, 11/1, 12/6* Sacramento 9:00 am - 3:00 pm The Pastoral Center, 2110 Broadway PMIN 201: Fundamental Theology Fran Smith, S.J., S.T.D.. Saturdays: 9/27, 11/1, 12/6* 9:00 am - 3:00 pm 485 Church Street PMIN 214: New Testament Catherine Murphy, Ph.D.
Monterey
We would like to feature short stories and reflections by GPPM alumni in future newsletters. If you have something to share, please let us know by contacting Lynne Lukenbill at llukenbill@scu.edu. Santa Clara University | Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries | 500 El Camino Real Santa Clara, California 95053-0337 (408) 554-4831 | Fax: (408) 554-7830