INTO THE VINEYARD
The student becomes the teacher :
Allison Accardo ’ s journey from the convent to the classroom
Attending Sacred Heart
Major Seminary became a dream of Allison Accardo ’ s when she was in seventh grade after a visit to the seminary for a Vocations Day with her classmates at Saint Joan of Arc School in Saint Clair Shores .
Allison went on to study theology as an undergraduate at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids . When she graduated in 2011 , she entered the Felician Franciscan Sisters . In early 2012 , Allison left the sisters after discerning that religious life was not her calling . She then applied to the Masters in Theology program at the seminary and her dream finally came to fruition .
Forming future generations
Starting her studies in the fall of 2013 , Allison graduated in the spring of 2015 with a Masters in Theology and a concentration in Systematic Theology . She now serves as the Theology Department head and Theology / Philosophy teacher at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Marine City . She applies what she learned at the seminary daily in the classroom : “ I am constantly using what I received . I find my coursework especially helpful when I teach Moral Theology since young people are so marinated in a culture of moral relativism that when they hear someone telling them that something is wrong when the culture surrounding them says it ’ s just fine , it ’ s a bit of a shock for them .”
The catechesis and apologetics she learned at the seminary allow her to clearly communicate the Church ’ s stance on controversial topics to her students . Allison said , “ I am happy to say that my students feel comfortable discussing hot button issues with me and I try as best as I can to explain not just what the Church teaches but why she teaches what she teaches .” Because Catholic teachings can appear to nonbelievers as blind belief , she explains the underlying rationale behind them .
A woman of the Eucharist
Allison ’ s personal faith also flourished during her time at the seminary . She has always had “ an unquenchable thirst to learn more about the Lord , Our Lady , and our beautiful Catholic faith .” Her love for Our Lady particularly grew through the Mariology class she took with Dr . Robert Fastiggi . “ His love for her just accelerated my love for her . It ’ s why I asked him to be the director of my thesis because my topic was Mariological in its theme : Mary as Woman of the Eucharist in the Theology of Pope Saint John Paul II ,” Allison said .
“ I remember working on my thesis : first , doing all the research and compiling the information and he would point me in the direction of some fantastic resources that I would not have known about . While writing , I sent him a new chapter every week and his feedback was always very constructive and encouraging . When the time came to defend , I felt more than ready to face whatever came my way . The pride I feel when I look at my bound thesis is all the more bolstered by the fact that I had such a great , faithful , and supportive professor directing me and helping me become a better scholar and a more fervent daughter of the Blessed Mother .”
Allison now brings this love for Mary to her students : “ Dr . Fastiggi ’ s very open and loving affection for Mary has affected how I teach . When I talk about Mary in class , I call her ‘ Mom .’ Some of my students have begun to call her that because she really is our mother .”
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