SBI marks 10 years of enriching faith

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, SBI was founded after Sister Danielle Bonetti, CSJ (then director of the diocesan Office of Religious Education) and Rev. Thomas Powers (then responsible for the continuing education of priests in the Diocese) realized there was a need in the Diocese for more than simply lectures and workshops on theology.

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard agreed that the Diocese would benefit from having its own graduate school, and SBI opened in the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Albany as an extension site of the original St. Bernard's Institute in Rochester.

Including this month's graduating class (see page 6), 67 students have earned master's degrees in theology or divinity from SBI to date. About 200 more are registered for classes. Alumni work as pastoral associates or faith formation directors in parishes, as spiritual care workers in hospitals, and as teachers at local colleges or in the diocesan Formation for Ministry program. The master's in divinity degree is primarily for clergy.

Looking at those statistics, Sister Marge remembered the uncertainty she felt when the school opened.

"We had a very good initial response, but you say, `Is it going to last?'" she said. But "in 10 years, we've seen steady growth in registration, increased interest in theology and Scripture, increased interest in participating in the ministries of the Church and a thirst for spirituality."

That interest translates into a more than 80 percent increase in registrations since SBI opened. Even non-Catholic students attend SBI. "Society in general is looking for spirituality," Sister Marge explained. "We have persons from various denominations: Episcopal, Baptist, Dutch Reformed."

A typical student is a middle-aged layperson, either looking for further education in their area of ministry or interested in a career change toward working for the Church. Most hear about the school by word-of-mouth; Sister Marge remarked that students often sign up for just one course at SBI but "get hooked" and end up working toward a degree.

Over the years, the school has made getting quality faculty a priority. Teachers have come from Georgetown University, Manhattan College and SBI-Rochester, and local faculty like John Dwyer and Marcus Gigliotti have become perennial favorites with students.

While theology, Scripture and ministry courses remain the focus of SBI's curriculum, more courses in spiritual direction have been added since the school's inception. This fall, SBI will offer a new "Pastoral Leadership Institute," a series of courses on Church law, finance and ministry to aid those working in parish ministries.

Students at SBI can receive diocesan tuition assistance if they're involved in parish ministries. "We're investing in you because you're investing service in our Church," Sister Marge noted. The Hubbard Scholarship also gives an eligible student a chance to attend the school.

SBI is celebrating its 10th anniversary with "St. Bernard's on the Road," a series of four lectures held in different areas of the Diocese. Three of the four have already been held: "Luke/Acts and the Spirit of Renew 2000," "Life: A Spiritual Journey" and "Baptism and Eucharist." Sister Patricia Schoelles, SSJ, of SBI-Rochester will present the final lecture, titled "Conversion." She explained that "we will look at the dynamics of human change and life-long turning toward God."

A Mass and dinner last month were the "official" markers of SBI's anniversary. "It was a great finale to 10 years," Sister Marge stated. "We started this program with a lot of hope. We saw it grow, saw a lot of response over the years. Today, it's going well, and we continue to hope for tomorrow."

The director is sure other changes are ahead for SBI but said the school will adapt its curriculum to the future needs of the Diocese.

"We can't be an academic institution in isolation," she said. "We can't steer the boat, but we can respond [to needs] with our programs. The Church of Albany is fortunate to have this resource available to them. If people want to prepare themselves for ministry, the vehicle is here."

("St. Bernard's on the Road" will conclude with a lecture on conversion May 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at St. Mary's School, Oneonta. Participants should bring a bag lunch. Call 453-6760 for information, if you are interested in having an SBI faculty member lecture at your parish, to learn about the upcoming Pastoral Leadership Institute or for SBI's 1999-2000 course schedule, to be issued in June.)

(05-13-99) [[In-content Ad]]