December 2003 Newsletter

Student / Alumni News

DECEMBER 2003 DMin GRADUATES

Family, friends and colleagues arrived from California, Ohio, Washington and South Florida to celebrate with the five new Doctors of Ministry at the Commission ceremony on December 12, 2003. "This commission is so providential, falling on the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe," said Dr. Kawulok, whose thesis-project is titled All of Which Woman is Capable: A Liberative Dialogue between Our Lady of Guadalupe and Mexican/ Mexican-American College Women. Kawulok is on the faculty of Mount Saint Mary's College in Los Angeles. Dr. Diaz' project focused on parish adult formation: Filling the Hungry with Good Things: A Local Approach to Christian Religious Education and Formation. Dr. Zografos turned to the liturgy as a means of inclusion with The General Intercessions of the Liturgy of the Word: Where Faith Does Justice: Becoming Welcoming and Inclusive Communities. Dr. Friedlander brought more than 20 years of experience in business to bear on her thesis-project: Is it Possible to Imitate Christ in Corporate America? And Dr. Miranda culminated her thesis-project: Redeeming a Dangerous Memory: gay/lesbian and catholic, with a liturgy, "Agape: A celebration of unconditional love" at the Cor Jesu Chapel on November 22.

TWO NEW ENHANCEMENTS FOR MA-DMin

Mary Dodge, DMin student and adjunct professor, is coordinating an association of graduate theology students in ministry. Mary is planning a gathering in March of interested MA and DMin students to share insights, perspectives, and questions that will enhance the students' professional ministry as well as their education. "We are hoping to create a monthly dialogue that will both enlighten and support our work in diverse ministries - teaching, pastoral care, and ecclesial ministry." Contact Mary at mdodge@mail.barry.edu for more information.

Marian Diaz (DMin 2003) is gathering information through focus groups, surveys, and interviews that will help to enhance graduate programs by assessing the formation needs of students in the MA and DMin programs. "Our first focus groups were held in February; others will be scheduled during the spring and summer terms," Diaz said. Contact Marian at mdiaz1@mail.barry.edu

STUDENT PHILOSOPHY / THEOLOGY ASSOCIATION

What is Forgiveness? What Do Love and Marriage have to do with Gender? What about "The Movie"? These are some of the discussions planned by the UG Student Philosophy/Theology Associations this year. Join us for these lively, timely and thoughtful lunchtime discussions. We'll add you to our e-mail list - contact President Elizabeth Suergiu, suergiue@bucmail.barry.edu

BARRY TO HOST ACPA ANNUAL MEETING

The American Catholic Philosophical Association (ACPA) will hold its annual meeting in Miami, November 5-7, 2004. The theme of the meeting is "Reckoning with the Tradition." ACPA Vice- President/ President-Elect Nicholas Rescher noted, "This deliberately ambiguous phrasing is intended to comprehend both the ideas of coming to terms with the traditions of Catholic philosophizing and using it as a guide in setting our own course." In the President's Call for Papers, he said, "Contributions are particularly sought that bring to light the ways in which ideas and reasonings drawn from the traditional authorities can be used in addressing issues deliberated in current philosophical discussion."

ALUMNI NEWS:
REVEREND MONSIGNOR FELIPE ESTEVEZ AUXILIARY BISHOP OF ARCHDIOCESE

Reverend Monsignor Felipe Estevez, faculty member at SEPI and Barry alumnus, was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Miami on November 23, 2003. The episcopal ordination ceremony was held at the Cathedral of Saint Mary in Miami on Wednesday, January 7, 2004.

Friends, former parishioners and students congratulated Auxiliary Bishop Estevez at Masses of Thanksgiving held in several locations around South Florida, from January 11 through February 1, 2004.

Bishop Estevez is on the faculty of the South East Pastoral Institute, teaching in the Master of Arts-Pastoral Ministry for Hispanics program. He has done extensive graduate studies in Spiritual Theology, earning the Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome; he is also a Barry alumnus (MA-Theology). He serves as Spiritual Director of St Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach.

Congratulations to Nelson Bonet (MA-Theology 2000), on his election as Chairperson of the Board of the National Forum on the Catechumenate (FORUM), which works toward the full implementation in all parishes of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

Nancy Maxwell (MA-Theology 2003) will publish an article in an upcoming issue of National Catholic Reporter on her experience in the MA-Theology program at Barry.