Masters Theses
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Item Spiritual Growth and Development Through Communal Relationships(1991) Wyns, ChristineI propose that those individuals in my parish who have expressed a desire to deepen the spiritual dimension of their lives (myself included) be invited to come together and form a spiritual growth and discernment group which will meet regularly to share their faith experiences and To pray Tor the Holy Spirit's guidance in their lives and ministry. Time will be provided for members to explore their experiences of God and to reflect on their life and discern its direction and purpose in light of these experiences. The group will also explore different Christian resources that promote spiritual growth including Scripture and other spiritual writings, varied prayer forms, group discussion, one-to-one sharing, journaling, and silent reflection.Item Mystagogy: A Way of Life(2000) Wolodkiewicz, SarahThe idea, then, is to attempt to integrate the knowledge and experience of the RCIA classes into daily life, specifically, the continuation of sacrament participation resulting in a spirituality of daily living. A period or program of "mystagogia" would seem to be helpful and appropriate. Mystagogy is described in many RCIA resource books as the fourth stage of the catechesis process. Itis described in the "Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults" as, "...a time for the community and the neophytes [those newly baptized] together to grow in deepening their grasp of the paschal mystery and in making it part of their lives through meditation on the Gospel, sharing in the eucharist, and doing the works of charity." We are encouraged to help the neophytes in this endeavor. The term "mystagogy"” itself involves an attempt to more fully and effectively understand the mysteries of Christ's passion, death and resurrection through the Gospel message they have been hearing for the past several months (and at the recent Easter Vigil liturgy) and, more importantly, through their recent experience of the sacraments received at the Easter Vigil liturgy. These are the theological implications of this pastoral concern.Item Lay Presider Role and Formation(2002) Wilson, SandraLay ministry has been a part of the church from its beginning. Collectively we recognize that we all share in the one priesthood of Christ. We are a priestly people. Ministry is how we exercise that priesthood. Our challenge is to find the collaborative role of the ordained and nonordained to meet the needs of the faithful. Through this project, I sought to identify a role for Lay Presiders and to develop and guide Lay Presiders who would be able to fulfill the needs of the parish community. Lay Presiders are called by God to minister in the service of the Gospel. They are people of community prayer.Item Bringing Three Community Hospitals Into a Roman Catholic Healthcare System: Partnering of Chief Executive Officer And Senior Vice President of Mission For Major Organizational Change(2008) White, Dinah LeeThis project centers on the formation aspects of the merger/acquisition of a Catholic hospital and a non-faith-based, not-for-profit, three hospital health system. In the situation presented in this project the Catholic facility acquired the three hospital system. The Catholic facility is the oldest health care organization in the city and has an outstanding reputation, thus making the acquisition look more positive to the three hospital system. This project will demonstrate the theological and formation path that was utilized to bring a Catholic health system into being.Item When You See the Southern Cross: An Attempt to Bring Together Two Parishes a Half a World Apart(2003) Wenthe, GeorgeFather Paul Habing is a missionary priest serving the village of Nufioa in the altiplano, high plains, of southern Peru. He and I were born about four years apart and grew up about four miles apart, but we did not become acquainted until a few years ago. I was helping with a Confirmation retreat, and he was home for his annual visit and had come out to hear confessions and celebrate the Mass. Some years earlier our parish, Sacred Heart in Effingham, Illinois, had adopted his mission, San Pedro Parroquia in Nufioa, southern Peru as a sister parish. He had thus celebrated the Masses at least one weekend every year at Sacred Heart, and although I knew who he was and a bit about him, we had not met personally. With both of us having a few minutes free while the previous activity was concluding, I introduced myself and told him how much I admired what he was doing, since I could never picture myself making that commitment. Rather than a simple thank you he replied instead, “George, I admire the priests and lay ministers who work in this country; its something I'm not sure I could do.” The quiet humility of this man almost overwhelmed me. Since that time we have developed a friendship, and I still quite admire him for his dedication and fortitude in spreading the Good News in a less than comfortable environment.