I was in the sixth grade that I first had the desire to be a priest.
I was serving Mass one morning, kneeling at the foot of the altar
looking up at the priest who was celebrating. Those were the days
when the priest's back was to the congregation and the language
was Latin. An inspiration flashed across my mind, "Some day
I want to be up there."
At one point I was missioned to Baghdad, Iraq. And after ordination,
I taught New Testament theology and English as a second language
at Al Hikma University. The students there already knew some English,
so I used the short story as a major platform for teaching. This
tied into their Eastern culture, in which the narrative sits at
the top of their methods of communicating.
I returned from Baghdad in 1968 and moved into the work of directing
retreats. So in 1999 I found myself at Arrupe House, a student
residence of Weston Jesuit School of Theology. There I spent five
most enjoyable years, auditing courses at WJST, giving retreats,
and offering spiritual direction. Retreat work blessed me abundantly.
I realized that, if I chose to stay for the 2008-2010 cycle of
the pastoral associates' school, I would be planning to stay in
the department of faith formation until I was 81. I felt that
the time had come to let someone younger run with the ball. The
thought of returning to live in a Jesuit community was attractive,
and I applied for my present position as a retreat director and
spiritual director here at Campion Center. I was accepted and
moved here on June 11, 2008. And, here I am.
