Almost finished…..well, maybe!
April 30th, 2014
On Friday May 9th, I defend my doctoral dissertation Teilhard in America at the University of Dayton, the final step in a PhD in Theological Studies. I find this utterly amazing. I never imagined that well into my fifties, over ten years after entering a Master’s in Theology program, I would be at this point in my life.
God leads us down some very wild and unexpected paths!
I am also ALL too aware, though, that without the continuous support, encouragement and interest of many people, there is no way this work would ever have been finished. Even more than any amount of time, effort, or research involved, completing this degree has been a psychological and spiritual battle. Thank God for those who surrounded me and kept reassuring me it was indeed possible, that it would happen.
In a sense, then, I see this doctoral thing as a massive group effort. We all collaborated, in one way or another, but I was the one individually “called out” by God to do this particular part of the work. Isn’t that the way it is in life, whatever our vocation? No one really does it all alone; it’s only jointly, with God, that things fall together.
In a sense it is too bad, though, that unfortunately I am also the only one to whom they will confer the degree, but at least I can share the celebration. So we will rejoice, as a community, the signs of God at work among us in this way. We will celebrate and appreciate all our varied gifts.
I will hope, too, that by the completion of this degree at least one other person will be inspired to also follow God’s call into a change in life. If that person is a woman, who by my example realizes that YES, it IS indeed possible to do something more, to be something more, to follow an inner longing to grow, even at middle-age or beyond, then I will especially be very happy.
As for the future, well, I intend to just keep on doing what I’m doing, meandering down this very crooked path called my life, trying to determine when and how high to jump, and where to turn, as requested by a most loving, heavenly Father. Hopefully I’ll get it at least somewhat right, even if right now I have no clue where I am going.
I am sure, though, that even if – as usual – I don’t get it perfect, some more truly amazing things lie up ahead. After all, our God is truly an awesome God, and what is really cool is to be able to provide some small service in his name to the community I call home.
I’m sure hoping, though, that future service is a bit easier than a doctoral program!
P.S. Prayers are appreciated for May 9th!
Congrats, Sue!!!!!
Never would have thought that this day would come. We are so proud of what you have accomplished. It has been a crooked path, but you have followed the way faithfully. May God bless you for staying on the right trail.
Thanks, all of you! Yep, it’s a pretty crazy thing!
Love the line “trying to determine when and how high to jump, and where to turn”.
Thanks for your life’s witness, Sue! Prayers for May 9th!
It has been a truly crooked path, but you have been an inspiration to me and many others in our church family. Seeing you and your courage during this process have shown a lot of us that it may be hard, but it is worth it to find the way God is leading us to go; and there will always be people like you to help us see the way.
Fantastic job Sue. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dr. Sue Sack
Celebrating with you, as the day has successfully passed. You are a wonderful example of faithful witness to following God’s call, from the Alpha to the Omega Point (of the future). I am grateful for ALL the blessings you have brought and are to our Archdiocese and bio-region in living simply, sustainably and spiritually (prayerfully) and with great integrity! Now that you’ve given ‘great birth’ to the thesis (equivalent of another 4 kids?)hope you a relaxing Mothers Day, and sense Mary’s companionship as you continue to bear and reveal Christ to our world in the days, months and years ahead. Thanks for sharing the gift you are!
I would love to hear more about your academic journey to your PhD. Please contact me.
Hello and congratulations for your PhD awesome! I have also a PhD in math. All ways I have been interested in thelo ogy but i entered in Science. I also do music that i would like to share they are in http://www.taxi.com/Pia. I have almost 50 songs that I made and sing too. Hope you like it. I am also very interested in Our Lady of America. I read the message and it really touched and I know that Bishop L.
Put all his heart in the Cause of Our Lady of America. Hopefully this appeal that Ann Fuller is doing turn to and end and we finally can be free to honor her better. GOD BLESS YOU AND GOOD LUCK!