On May 27 2012, there will be nine new graduates with a  Masters in Theological Studies from Ave Maria University Institute of Pastoral Studies. I will be one of them. That is why my blogging has been so sparse for the last three years.

We have worked very hard for this degree. We wrote three term papers or tests a month for four months. That's twelve papers/tests a semester times six semesters. A few of our assignments were in class tests. Of our 72 assignments, I would guess only six were in class tests. That leaves about 64 papers to write. Needless to say, I got a lot of writing practice. I learned how to do research, analyze, synthesize, and summarize. My essays had to be logical and objective.

As a professional writer, you might ask why I would study for a theology degree. God called me to do it. Yet, the kind of writing I did was very different from what I do for a living. I think I am a better writer now. Studying theology was a better preparation for a career as a  writer than my English degree ever was. Who would have thought that?

The emphasis these days is on college as a preparation for a career. Unfortunately, that is reality. We all need to eat and put a roof over our heads. Once you have achieved that, it makes sense to study something that will enlarge your mind and soul.

Ave Maria University Institute of Pastoral Studies has multiple satellite campuses: St. Louis, MO; Janesville, WI; Dallas, TX; Minneapolis, and Ave Maria, FL. The professors are awesome. They really know their material. I like the way Ave Maria is faithful to the Magisterium. There's no dissident theology here. The classes are small, so students get a lot of individual attention. I can't say enough good things about this program.
God bless all my professors!