First woman to earn degree ready for ministry

After eight years of study, Eileen Becker of Coxsackie just became the first woman to receive a Master of Divinity degree from the Albany branch of St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry (SBSTM), a graduate school based in Rochester.

Ms. Becker, a parishioner of St. Mary's in Coxsackie, has served there as a Confirmation catechist and youth minister for more than 20 years; as a member of the pastoral care and visitation team to residents of Eden Park nursing home; and as a Eucharistic minister, lector and member of the Lectio Divina prayer group.

A dental hygienist and an alumnus of Siena College in Loudonville, her decision to pursue the Master of Divinity degree came after considering other Master's degrees in pastoral studies or theology that would have required about half the study time.

Having presented reflections on daily Scripture readings at Eden Park for several years and also at parish prayer services, she wanted to take a "liturgical preaching" course and others offered through the Divinity program. Those courses were not required for the other degrees.

Ms. Becker also studied liturgical leadership, theology, pastoral counseling and care, spiritual direction, pastoral and liturgical leadership and Christology.

Life lessons

She recalled one important lesson from Professor Donald Gray's Christology class, stating: "Some of the Church's teachings have been personally hurtful to me as a woman. Professor Gray showed me a different way to look at those teachings, a way in which I can empower others and be at peace with my own feelings."

A "field education" segment of Ms. Becker's studies required her to initiate a sister-parish relationship between St. Mary's and Our Mother of Sorrows parish in Biloxi, Mississippi, damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

"Our relationship with them is new but healthy and growing," she told The Evangelist. "Some of our people have traveled there on work trips. We've sent relief packages. We also put large poster cards on display in our church and parishioners signed them. We then sent them to Biloxi.

"Our parishioners want this ministry to continue," she added. "It's proving to be one of the best outcomes of my studies -- people helping people, a true 'Called to Be Church' effort."

The latter statement referred to the strategic planning process underway in the Albany Diocese.

As the first woman to earn a Divinity degree at the Albany branch, Ms. Becker was asked to give a reflection at this year's graduation Mass in April, held at The College of Saint Rose in Albany.

We need more

"Why aren't other women -- and more men -- taking these courses?" she wondered. "The degree programs that St. Bernard's offers are a wonderful way to prepare for parish leadership, either for professional full- or part-time ministry.

"The skills and education that I've acquired as a result of this program are of immense benefit to me and to the people that I serve in my current ministries, especially at the nursing home."

Ms. Becker is also concerned about what she perceives as a lack of interest among lay Catholics in involvement in Church community life.

"Particularly with the 'Called to Be Church' initiative that our Diocese is going through right now, I think it is vital that people become more involved in leadership roles in our parishes," she opined. "I've had wonderful support from my parish in the years that I've been a student. Our pastor and staff have always encouraged, supported and empowered me.

"If we are to move forward as a community of faithful, we must be willing to take risks. Some of the courses I took greatly challenged me, but I stuck with them because I know that God is calling me to ministry -- now and in the future.

"This program was challenging and demanding, but it has been definitely worth the time and effort. We need educated leaders."

The graduate's beliefs were confirmed two weeks after delivering the commencement reflection, when "a woman came up to me and thanked me for giving her inspiration. I didn't even know her, but her praise made me feel as if all my hard work was worth the effort. It was as if God was affirming me."

(SBSTM opened in Rochester as a seminary in 1893 and was reorganized to provide education in theology and ministry for the laity after the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. For 19 years, SBSTM has operated a campus at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Albany. For information, call 453-6760.)

(06/05/08) [[In-content Ad]]