Two years ago, a fantastic opportunity came up in my life that was too good to turn down. As a practicing Catholic, who loves Jesus Christ and His Church, the chance came up to put my retirement plans on hold and go back to school and get a Master of Theological Studies Degree from Newman University here in Wichita. All that I needed was a bachelor's degree in any subject with a grade point average of over 3.0 and to be a catechist at my parish or in the diocese. I checked both boxes. My bachelor's degree was from way back in 1981, a BA in Business Administration and Economics from Tabor College. My grade point average was 3.094. I had just started catechesis and was beginning my second year as a 5th grade PSR teacher at my parish. The best part is that I would be receiving a free, zero dollar tuition scholarship from the Diocese of Wichita. It was a no-brainer. On October 13, 2024, after forty-three years, at the age of sixty-six, I was going back to school. I would have to put the rest of my retirement plans on hold.
Fast forward to October 17th of this year and I turned in my last assignment. I had completed all of the requirements to earn my degree with a 4.0 GPA.
Was the experience worth it? I would say definitely! As a catechist, it has made me better. It has given me more tools to work with.
From a point of evangelization, it has given me the tools to reach out and help others grow closer to Jesus Christ.
From a personal and spiritual point, it has given me the tools to get closer to Jesus Christ. To get to know Him.
So what's next? Obviously pick up where I left off. First on my list is to declutter my house. Paint the inside. New carpet and furniture. I also need to start an exercise program with a goal of losing 50-75 lbs. Of course I'll stay active with the Knights of Columbus at my parish and continue teaching PSR at church. I definitely need to go to Texas to see my mom, and plan to watch a lot of sports. Other things on my list: write on my blog, attend daily Mass, hang out with friends, catch up on, "The Chosen", read the Bible in a year, do more reading...
Anyone else have any ideas?
One of the things that I really want to do is drive more readers to my blog. Use it to defend the faith. Use it for evangelization. Write more articles on my Catholic faith. Teach people what it means to be Catholic, what it means to be Christian. Our Catholic faith doesn't stop at the doors of the church. It goes with us out into the world. What does that look like? I plan to use Facebook to do that. Either transform this current page from private to public and get lots of followers or start a new page that would be public and post my blog articles on it.
Thanks to all who have supported me for the last two years. It was definitely worth it, but I am thrilled that its over. One chapter of my life closes and another one opens.
