14
March 11, 2014
commentary
T
he Valley Catholic
SCU faculty collaborate with Diocese of San Jose
By Gary Macy
Over the last
f ew mont h s, I
have been writing
about the many
connections between the Diocese of San Jose
and Santa Clara
University. Now
I would like to
introduce readers of The Valley Catholic
to some of the faculty at SCU who share
their skills with the Diocese of San Jose
by teaching regularly for the Institute
for Leadership in Ministry.
Jerome Baggett is from the Jesuit
School of Theology in Berkeley, now
a college of Santa Clara University.
Professor Baggett is a sociologist who
introduces students to both sociological theory and method as well as to the
complicated dynamics of religion and
culture within contemporary society.
Professor Baggett’s most recent book
is Sense of the Faithful: How American
Catholics Live Their Faith (Oxford, 2009).
He knows how Catholic communities actually work and is an excellent
resource for practical applications of
theology in ministry.
Deacon William Ditewig has two
jobs. He is Director of Faith Formation, Diaconate and Planning for the
Diocese of Monterey and is also Dean’s
Executive Professor of Theology at
SCU. A retired Navy Commander,
he is probably the leading expert on
the permanent diaconate with at least
eight books published in this area. As a
university professor and active deacon,
he knows both the theory and practice
of ministry.
William J. Dohar is a historian’s
historian. He earned a doctorate from
the Pontifical Institute of Medieval
Studies as well as studying in Oxford.
He has written several books on the
Church in the later Middle Ages. He is
also in demand as a spiritual director
and teaches spiritual direction for the
Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries at SCU.
Dr. Catherine Murphy, born and
raised in San Mateo, received her BA
in history from Santa Clara University,
and earned an MA from the Graduate
Program in Pastoral Ministries at Santa
Clara.
During her MA studies, she worked
in local high schools and received her
doctorate in New Testament from the
University of Notre Dame in 1999. Dr.
Murphy is an expert on the Dead Sea
Scrolls as well the wider first century
environment from which Jesus and his
earliest followers arose.
Dr. Fredrick Parrella has long been
known at SCU for his excellence in
teaching. He is the person the university turns to when young professors
need help learning how to teach well.
His great teaching skills are paralleled by his expertise in theology.
Dr. Parrella is secretary of the North
American Paul Tillich Society and an
expert on the theology of marriage.
These are just a few of the professors
at Santa Clara who enjoy working with
the diocese by sharing their expertise
for the training of ministers. The University is proud to partner with the
diocese to strengthen both academy
and Church.
• Gary Macy is Chair of the Religious
Studies Department and Director of the
Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries
at Santa Clara University.
Are you packed to go home?
By Kathy Fanger
For the past 32 years since I’ve lived
in California, I have been blessed with
being able to go “home” to New Jersey
for Christmas. To be reunited with my
parents, siblings, nieces and nephews
means the world to me. As the trip
draws near, I often say to my husband
and son, “When we go home”…
My son retorts, “Maaahhhmmm,
DON’T call it ‘HOME!’ THIS is our
home.” For him, it certainly is. But for
me, “home” is also from whence I came,
and returning there brings me great
happiness.
What about our final home - heaven? Our Lord promised, “I am going to
prepare a place for you, so that where I
am, you also will be.” (John 14:3) “Eye
has not seen, ear has not heard what
God has readied for those who love
him.” (Corinthians 2:9-10) Imagine: No
more tears, no pain, no suffering. Just
being in God’s loving embrace, with all
those who have gone before us.
Have you planned for your end of
life? Why not gift your family of having
all your plans and documents in place:
an Advance Health Care Directive, a
will and trust, your burial place, and
your wishes for Catholic funeral services. Communicate your wishes now.
Our Catholic Cemeteries staff can
help with your wishes, provide a tour,
and explain options and payment plans,
in about one and a half hours. You need
not be a senior citizen. Younger individuals should have end of life plans
in place, too. Purchasing with today’s
dollars means significant savings in the
future. To make an appointment, call:
• Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, Los Altos: 650-428-3730
• Calvary Cemetery, San Jose:
408-258-2940
• St. John the Baptist Cemetery,
Milpitas: 408-258-2940; or contact:
www.ccdsj.org
• Kathy Fanger is Parish Outreach
Coordinator for Catholic Cemeteries of the
Diocese of San Jose.
Letter to the Editor
•Homosexuality
Editor:
In the Feb. 11 edition, the letter from
Woody Nedom la