MOBILE, Ala.—At a graduation ceremony held May 6 at Spring Hill College, 11 people from the archdiocese attending the Spring Hill College extension site in Atlanta received master of theological studies degrees.

The graduates are: Rita Bek, director of religious education at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Kennesaw; Maureen Ingalls, coordinator of elementary religious education at St. Catherine of Siena; John Cobis, principal of Our Lady of Mercy High School in Fairburn; Mary Korte, a member of the adult education team and health ministry consultant at Sacred Heart Church, Hartwell; Rosemary Maksimowski, religion coordinator at Christ the King School, Atlanta; Randy Ory, who works in adult religious education at St. Oliver Plunkett Church, Snellville; Timothy Purdy of the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta; Elyn Macek, director of the contemporary ensemble at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, and a musician at Sacred Heart Church, Atlanta, and Holy Family Church, Marietta; Kerwin Gray, Stephen ministry leader at Holy Spirit Church, Atlanta; Joanne McPherson, chairman of the English department at St. Pius X High School, Atlanta; and Rebekah Teal of St. Brendan Church, Cumming.

Graduates were invited to a retreat prior to graduation led by Father Robert Rimes, SJ, and Father Christopher Viscardi, SJ. Students from Atlanta joined students from Mobile and from extension sites in Jackson, Miss., and Birmingham on Dauphin Island near Mobile for a time of reflection and prayer.

The Baccalaureate Mass was held May 5 on the Spring Hill College campus and was concelebrated by the priests of the college. A reception for all theology graduates followed the service.

Since an extension site was established at Holy Spirit Church, Atlanta, in the spring of 1997, 21 people have graduated from the program. In 2000, Deacon Al Gallagher, Deacon Tom Shaver, Deacon Tom Silvestri, Barbara Rowley, Janet Melton, Ann Bailey, Roxanne Wilhelm, Meg Christman and Meredith Young completed the program. Anne Frederick, director of lay formation and evangelization for the archdiocese, was the first graduate in 1999.

Many adults who have participated in the program have found it challenging and fulfilling.

Mary Korte, a 2001 graduate, said that the program has deepened her faith.

“The Spring Hill MTS program is an opportunity to learn how to articulate the Catholic faith in its depth, (and learn) Scriptures and history from professors who present all facets of an issue in a disciplined and balanced manner,” she said. “This learning experience has made me more aware of the ideals of the Catholic expression of faith as well as more comfortable with the tensions we experience as we struggle to apply these values to meeting the crucial needs in today’s world.”

Tim Purdy said the study will help him combine his love of technology with his love of Catholicism.

“I am in training to be a facilitator for the Steven Covey ‘Seven Habits of Highly Successful People’ and I plan on becoming a master catechist for the archdiocese,” he said. “I would like to use my theology degree along with my experience in multimedia to develop informational and educational CDs and web sites on Catholic-related topics such as social teaching, baptism and Eucharist.”

Spring Hill, the Jesuit college of the South, offers a variety of degree programs in theological study aimed primarily at the non-traditional student. The program offers a contemporary, ecumenical perspective in theology from the Catholic tradition. Courses provide the challenge of serious theological reflection for lay men and women as well as clergy and Religious. The program is appropriate for preparation for pastoral ministry or religious education, for continuing education or personal enrichment.

Each year, Spring Hill offers four Saturday courses. Classes usually meet every other Saturday for a total of six class meetings. In addition, at the Atlanta site, one course is offered on weeknights, typically on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-9:30 p.m., for 12 weeks during the fall and spring semester. Each course is offered for undergraduate or graduate credit with separate and distinct requirements for each level. The cost per credit is $195. Most courses are three credit courses and all require a $10 registration fee. Additional courses are offered through the Summer Institute of Christian Spirituality in Mobile.

This summer Father David Mellott, SS, will teach a course on liturgy and in the fall Dr. George Gilmore will commute from Spring Hill to teach Christology.

For more information about the programs in theological studies or application and registration procedures, call Ann Bailey at (404) 252-4513, ext. 28.