A Word From Victoria: Summer Sabbatical – May 31

July 1, 2009 by mary · Comments Off 

As many of you know, I will be taking a sabbatical this summer. This is the
end of my 10th year here at St. Catherine and the end of my 30th year in
ministry in this Archdiocese. Last fall, I applied for and received a
sabbatical grant for pastoral leaders through the Louisville Institute,
which is funded by the Lily Foundation. The grant is for three months and
will pay most of my salary, which will be a savings for the parish. My
sabbatical begins on June 15, although I will be here for the dedication
weekend June 20-21, and ends in mid-September. Because I want to present
for the start of school on August 31 and because I feel obligated by the
contract I signed with the Louisville Institute, I will make up any extra
sabbatical days later in the fall.

I will spend the sabbatical time reading in the area of Evangelizing
Catholics: Forming Catholics in Faith and Tradition. This is a topic that
is of great interest at this time in the church and is important to our own
community as well. I am interested in studying how best to pass on faith in
a culture that does not support religious affiliation (Washington and Oregon
are the most unchurched states in the country) and at a time when many are
not well informed about the faith and traditions of the Catholic Church.
It has been 30 years since I finished my doctorate. This will be the first
time I have had an extended period of time to study. My study time these
past 30 years has always been directed to an immediate class or
presentation. I love to read theology, so this is a great gift.

I also included in the sabbatical proposal a plan to visit my adult children
who live and work in other cities and who are only free on weekends when I
am usually not free. I will also make my annual eight-day retreat during
this sabbatical time. And I am sure that my husband will appreciate my
being around on weekends for the first time in 30 years. I do plan to
attend mass at other parishes to see what I can learn from them and their
worship.

I have been working hard to have everything in place for my absence from the
parish this summer. Mark Adrian, our pastoral associate for music, will
handle emergencies. His cell phone number will be on the main number and on
my voicemail. He will consult with me as needed. Fr. Tony will be here all
summer as well. Kathleen Christianson, our parish bookkeeper and
receptionist, will be in the office Monday through Thursday, except for one
week in July and one week in August. When she is gone, parishioners have
volunteered to cover the office and phones, particularly in the mornings.
All staff members and volunteer office support will have a list of important
contact numbers and instructions for routine occurrences.

I will not be available by email or by phone this summer. I will put an
out-of-office message on my email. You can email, but please do not expect
a response. If you need to contact me, call the parish office and call Mark
as directed. He will contact me if necessary for consultation or for
information.

I will write a monthly bulletin column to let you know what I am reading and
doing. I am already quite sure that this sabbatical will be a great gift to
the whole community as well as to me. I look forward to this time, and I
look forward to my return with new knowledge and renewed energy.

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