Back in 1987, I finally received my Master of Divinity degree [which I began in 1973]. I had discerned some giftings in the area of counseling and wanted to pursue a further degree to qualify me for this work.
After applying for the Master of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh, I was told that due to an unusually large number of applicants, I was not accepted. They strongly encouraged me to apply the next year with assurances that I would be accepted.
However, waiting a year seemed inordinate to me, so I applied - and was accepted - for studying toward the Master of Arts in Counseling at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. If you don't know, Franciscan University is a charismatic Catholic university.
I was placed in a small class of about twenty students for this two-year course of study. I travelled from East Liverpool, OH, where I was leading a growing church. Our family was young - all three T's under the age of 12 when I started at Franciscan.
Of course, all of my classmates and professors were Roman Catholic.
Since I was attending full-time, it was an immersion in my studies and the campus culture. I quickly made friends from my class - one of whom became a very close friend - Ed Andrade. He invited me to attend the noon mass with him and assured me that I would be welcome. I was eager to do so.
The daily mass was less than an hour and the sanctuary was packed every day! It was awkward because at the Eucharist, people had to squeeze past me to participate. [I later learned to go forward and simply ask for a blessing instead of receiving the Eucharist.] The worship experience was quite different from what I led or had participated in thus far in my life. However, the singing was WONDERFUL!
One day, when the priest lifted up the cup during communion, the entire congregation leapt to their feet and began praying or singing out loud! I was shocked! This had never happened before! I was rapt with attention as I listened. My friend, Ed, was praying out loud! My friend, Deanna, was singing beautifully in the Spirit! This whole experience lasted about a minute or two and then everyone sat down and the mass continued. I was full of questions!
To my surprise, when I began asking about it after the mass, no one seemed to think much of it. It was clearly directed by the Holy Spirit as everyone stood without being directed to. Each person seemed focused on praising God in the way that seemed most natural to them! I was mesmerized!
The students were very pro-life and I participated in several protest events with the students to try to save the lives of preborn children! I've always had an activist attitude and it was allowed to flourish in this environment!
During the summer they put up huge tents and had evangelistic services on campus. They were filled to capacity. The music was remarkable and the singing was enthusiastic. The preaching was less formal and the people were very responsive! Many - including me - stayed for nearly an hour afterward listening as the worship team continued to play and worship!
Our class included a Hispanic priest and me - a protestant pastor. Many of our learning experiences were small-group oriented, so we became very close very quickly. I still communicate with some of my class members. I always felt respected in spite of my protestant orientation!
I was wrestling at this stage with whether to launch into the work of counseling - which had become more than a possibility. Ed and I actually made an arrangement with one of our professors to use her office in Toronto, Ohio to take on some clients. We talked a great deal about opening a counseling office together upon our graduation.
Obviously, I continued in ministry and found ways to use my newly acquired training and experience to support the ministry and serve the community!
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This opportunity to be part of a Roman Catholic community showed me a depth of commitment and zeal for the Lord that was deeply satisfying, encouraging and affirming. I never felt denigrated - only accepted! I value this time and experience.
Throughout my forty-three years of ministry I always participated in ecumenical efforts in the communities where I served. While in East Liverpool [for thirteen years] I became very close friends with the priest at St. Aloysius. We enjoyed a warm, friendly and affirming relationship. This was unusual because quite often priests don't feel comfortable or welcome in these groups!
Again, while serving [nine years] in New Middletown, OH, I became very friendly with the priest of the parish cattycorner from the Free Methodist Church. I occasionally attended their Saturday evening mass to simply be in an environment where I had no responsibility and could just worship freely!
I find the drama of the catholic service to be very meaningful. Although I don't always know when to stand and sit or know the words to all of their responses, I see God at work in their worship and welcome them as brothers and sisters in Christ.
My friend, Ed, and I had to quietly agree to simply not discuss certain topics because we were each deeply invested in our respective views. However, we forged a deep friendship that focused on our common love for Christ and deep appreciation for all that He had done for each of us!
One Sunday night he and Holly [his wife] visited on a Sunday afternoon and we invited them to attend our evening service. In that service - due to my comfort with Ed and knowledge of his deep faith in Christ - I spontaneously invited him to lead us in prayer! He gave a wonderful prayer, but later informed me that it had shocked and stressed him to do so! 😊 We had a good laugh about it!
Ed and I gradually drifted apart, largely because of distance; he lived in Florida. He went to Heaven this past year and I deeply regret that we didn't sustain our friendship after leaving Franciscan! Losing him as a close friend was clearly to my detriment! But, I have the assurance that we will resume that friendship in the future! 😉
