DIOCESAN NEWS
06/11/10
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Graduates take journeys through Spring Hill
By John McGregor
JACKSON — Spring Hill College held its Annual Commencement Exercises on May 8 with four students from the Diocese of Jackson graduating. Three graduated with their MTS (master’s of theological studies) and one with a CTS (certificate of theological studies).
The Spring Hill MTS program is a 30-hour graduate program designed to give participants a foundation in theology and to prepare them for ministry.
Spring Hill’s main campus is in Mobile, Ala., but an extension site in Jackson has been active since the 1980s.
A student interested in the program can complete the MTS program in about 3 years. Also available through the extension site is a MPS (master’s of pastoral studies), and a CTS for those without undergraduate degrees.
Students entering the Spring Hill program come from a variety of Christian traditions, and the four graduates from the Diocese of Jackson were all Catholic.
Receiving the CTS was Janice Stansell, a lay pastoral minister at St. John Parish, Crystal Springs. Janice stated her reason for entering the program:
“I was a part of the Mission and Ministry group for our diocese studying what parishes could do in light of the upcoming priest shortage. Wanting to keep my parish strong and growing, I began the Spring Hill program,” Stansell said.
“I wanted to be able to be a better minister to the people of my home parish of St. John and St. Martin Mission. I felt I needed the education if I were going to lead my parish,” she said.
During the course of studies, Stansell said, “I have made many friends and contacts throughout the diocese. The program gave me more than just basic knowledge; it gave me insight into others’ viewpoints and an understanding of the church’s history, of what we believe and how we came to believe what we do.”
Stansell said because of her studies through Spring Hill, “Everything I do for my church and parishioners has a much deeper and more spiritual meaning than it would have. I feel better about my ministry of leading my parish with the knowledge I have gained from the program, and also with the knowledge that we never stop learning!”
The graduates receiving the MTS were Julie Winkeljohn, Denzil Lobo, and Mark Seros.
Winkeljohn said, “I began the journey toward a Master of Theological Studies degree from Spring Hill College in the summer of 2003.
“Having spent nearly a year as a missionary in Mexico prior to 2003, and having witnessed the tremendous poverty yet simple and unyielding faith of the people while I was t here, I was inclined to begin the Spring Hill master’s program as I discerned serving the Catholic Church either as a lay person or as a religious sister.
“In 2005, not yet having completed the program, I entered a religious community, and after four years of religious formation, I left religious life as a novice having discerned the Lord guiding me in yet another direction.”
Winkeljohn returned to Jackson in 2009 and said, “I had a wonderful and fulfilling experience serving the church as a layperson and grant writer; and in 2010 I completed the final course needed to achieve the master of theological ttudies degree. “
Winkeljohn has established a small business which assists non-profit organizations and small businesses with grant research and writing, marketing services, and presentation design and development. She said, “My goal is to integrate my Spring Hill education, lay ministry experience, and other life experiences to strengthen and expand Catholic identity and ministry in the Jackson diocese and elsewhere”
“When I began the Spring Hill program in 2003,” Winkeljohn said, “I thought all of my theological questions would finally be answered. I have many more questions now, but I have a sturdier foundation upon which to engage in discussion with others.
“In addition to the content of the classes, I enjoyed the opportunity to learn in a classroom setting and to engage in dialog with the other students. Given our Catholic minority in this diocese, I have found the interaction and opportunities for conversation in the classroom setting especially beneficial as I continue following the Lord’s path for me.”
Lobo, a member of St. Francis Parish in Madison, said he has a strong desire to serve the church in whatever way God may be calling him.
“Because of my fond interest in theology, I was enc ouraged by my wife, Gina, to join the MTS program. I did not have a specific career goal but I looked forward to theological studies and discussions with others that shared similar interests.
“Over time, apart from academics,” he said, ”the program also helped me develop a deeper understanding of my faith. Though I have completed the program, I will continue to attend classes through Easy Listening.”
Currently, Lobo serves on the parish RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) team and developed the parish website. He also serves on the advisory board for Mississippi Catholic.
“Going forward, I will work with John McGregor as co-coordinator for Spring Hill College at the Jackson extension,” he said.
Seros is member of the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. “It has been a long and rewarding three years that I have spent in the graduate program at Spring Hill. When I learned of the opportunity to receive my master’s in theology, I jumped at the chance.
“While I had not anticipated going back to school beyond my undergraduate degree, the Spring Hill program made it convenient, affordable, and overall a quite probable possibility. My pursuit of a master’s in theology, however, would have never been possible had it not been for the generosity of the diocese, St. Peter’s Cathedral, and my family. I am forever grateful for their support and encouragement.”
 Seros said the Spring Hill program “has been a rewarding part of my life. I have grown so much in my faith and of the world around me through my coursework and working relationship with so many diverse and knowledgeable people.
“It is my goal to continue to ‘pass-on’ what I have so graciously been given — the knowledge and faith of a follower of Christ. We as a Catholic family have so many wonderful treasures both realized and unrealized.”
Seros hopes “to be a valuable instrument within my community as well as the diocese to aid in teaching the faith while at the same time, preserving the faith so that the mission of Christ becomes the true and complete mission of the church.”
Spring Hill College is launching a new program of “hybrid courses,” which is a combination of both online and classroom work. The goal is to enable more people to participate in the program, especially those unable to travel long distancesl.
For more information about the Spring Hill Program, contact Alice Hughes at the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation alice.hughes@jacksondiocese.org or John McGregor. You can also find out more about Spring Hill at www.shc.edu.
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