Theology graduates reflect on experience JACKSON — On Sunday, May 11, Mary Flessner, Amanda Milam, and Theresa Prejean each received a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree and Pam Minninger received a Certificate of Theological Studies (CTS) from the Spring Hill College Extension Program.
This year approximately 18 people were enrolled in the classes which are held Saturdays at St. Joseph School in Madison.
In addition to the Spring Hill Extension program, 11 people received graduate degrees in theology — master of pastoral studies or master of religious education — from the Loyola Institute for Ministry Extension Program (LIMEX). Courses are offered by various parishes in the Diocese of Jackson.
“These programs give us people not only dedicated to ministry but qualified to do their ministry because they have the theological knowledge behind them,” said Alice Hughes, director of the Office of Faith Formation.
Flessner, Prejean and Minninger are Catholic and Milam is Episcopal.
“For Mary and Theresa this completes their training to be certified pastoral ministers in our diocese and for Pam, it completes her training as a certified lay ecclesial minister at St. Joseph Parish in Gluckstadt. Minninger received her certificate in her parish on Sunday, May 18.
Hughes asked the four graduates to describe how their Spring Hill experience and degree will help them in their ministry. Mary Flessner: “I began my studies in the Spring Hill MTS program because I wanted to deepen my understanding of church teachings and to grow in faith. Over a period of three years, I took courses in biblical studies, canon law, church history, and systematic and moral theology.
“I found the program to be informative and challenging. As I had hoped, the hours spent engaging in lively classroom discussion, reading books, researching and writing papers helped me to grow intellectually and spiritually.
“There were also some unexpected benefits of my Spring Hill experiences: I grew in self-awareness; I became a better listener; I formed abiding friendships.
“When I enrolled in my first class during the spring of 2005, I was motivated by a desire to become more effective in my service to the church. At that time, I was working with the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Madison.
“Recently, my husband and I moved from Madison to Jackson and we now worship at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle where I will continue to be involved with the RCIA.” Amanda Milam: “I am an Episcopalian who went through the Spring Hill Program. I am currently a communicant at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Jackson. “I am active in the choir, I am the assistant director of the children’s choir, and I also work with pastoral care, as well as mission projects such as the Honduras Medical Mission.
“ I am a substitute teacher at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Ridgeland and I also teach French through the Alliance Francaise of Jackson. This was my second master’s degree; my first one was in voice performance from Mississippi College.
“I enjoyed the Spring Hill program so much because of the richness of the courses, the excellence of the professors, the fellowship, and getting to go to the beautiful Spring Hill College campus in Mobile during the summer.
“Also, people from all over the state of Mississippi took part in the program, as well as people from different denominations. In one class we had a Methodist priest and an Episcopal priest; there has rarely been a time when I have been the only Episcopalian!
“The openness of the program is very appealing, and working with people from different backgrounds has definitely been a plus. This is a wonderful program to have in Jackson, and I am so thrilled to have come upon it. It has been a blessing to me in more ways than one.” Pam Minninger: “I am the lay ecclesial minister at St. Joseph Parish in Gluckstadt. I have always had a deep faith and love of Christ and the church, but the education I have received through my Spring Hill classes has given that faith and love a firm theological foundation.
“I have learned to critically reflect on the traditions and teachings of our beautiful church — reflections which have allowed me to ‘own’ my faith and to love it even more.
“The classes also taught me to look at the challenges we all face in today’s world through the lens of Catholic teaching. Through these courses I have seen the Holy Spirit alive, active, and at work in our church and in the world — no matter how hard humanity tries to control things or mess things up!
“I feel the demands of these classes have prepared me to better serve my parish community and all of their spiritual, emotional and physical needs.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in these classes and will continue to attend through the ‘Easy Listening’ audit process.
“I would also strongly encourage any person who is interested in developing their faith foundation to avail themselves of the great opportunity presented through the Spring Hill classes.” Theresa Prejean: “I am a pastoral minister at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Madison, where I coordinate our parish RCIA. As a recent graduate of the MTS Program at Spring Hill College, I am deeply grateful for the emphasis our diocese places on lay ministry and formation.
“We, in central Mississippi, are fortunate to have access to such a quality theological education. This education has not only prepared me for ministry but it has also enriched my own faith life beyond measure.
“When I began the Spring Hill program over four years ago, I wasn’t quite sure where it would take me, but gradually, each new class brought a stronger desire to use this knowledge in service of the church.
“I now have the privilege of working with adults and older children who are exploring the Catholic faith and I feel very fortunate to have my Spring Hill foundation. Through our coursework, readings, and class discussions, I have come to better understand and appreciate the rich and diverse tradition of our Catholic faith.
“Perhaps most importantly, this education has helped me understand the deeper meaning and history behind our Catholic practices and beliefs. It has taught me how to think critically, formulate questions, and ultimately realize that answers are not always neat and simple.
“This type of thinking has led me to a profound love and appreciation of our church, the human beings who compose it, and the spirit that guides it. To be able to serve this church as a lay minister is one gift, but to feel qualified and prepared to do it is altogether greater.”
Hughes said for those interested in ministering in the church, theological courses deepen their relationship with God. “They gain a greater understand of how God relates to them personally. But more than that, they also gain a greater understanding of how God relates to the greater community.”
And while Spring Hill, LIMEX and basic theology courses offered in various parishes can fill the requirements for lay ministry certification in the diocese, they are not just for people seeking to work in ministry, Hughes said.
“These courses are for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding and knowledge of the church and their relationship with God. They are for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of theology,” she said.
Information about basic theology courses is available from the Office of Faith Formation at 601-960-8470.
understanding of church teachings and to grow in faith. Over a period of three years, I took courses in biblical studies, canon law, church history, and systematic and moral theology.
“I am active in the choir, I am the assistant director of the children’s choir, and I also work with pastoral care, as well as mission projects such as the Honduras Medical Mission.
received through my Spring Hill classes has given that faith and love a firm theological foundation.
formation. 