We asked a number of students to reflect on their #JourneytoCSTM through a unique path. Since no path is ever the same, we decided to share four individuals who came to the CSTM after years of working in different fields.
Lynn M. Berardelli, CSOM '88, M.A.T.M. '20
“Look no further if you need evidence of “God writing straight with crooked lines” (St. Teresa of Avila). If someone had told my young self that I would end up studying theology and searching for a career in ministry, I would not have believed it. My journey to the CSTM was absolutely unexpected, and wonderfully surprising, as much is in life.
Fresh from college and armed with a business degree, I headed to New York City to fulfill career aspirations in banking and management. There, I eventually met my husband and later moved with him to South Florida to pursue his career change. After having three children, I made a conscious effort to pull back from work responsibilities to become a stay-at-home parent and dove into a myriad of community leadership roles. Through this service I developed a desire to discover more about the rich traditions of my Catholic faith and apply them to future work.
In searching for a program that offered both deep exploration of theology and practical application, I discovered the CSTM’s hybrid M.A.T.M. program, a remarkable gift with its ability to blend summer in-person learning and community building with accessible online coursework during the spring and fall where I could continue life at home. Best of both worlds, right?
At the CSTM, I discovered one remarkable course (and brilliant professor) after another, a community of like-hearted colleagues across the world, a deepened spiritual life, reflective experiences (e.g., teaching theology in my children’s high school), and, ultimately, the education to make an intentional and more confident pivot to full time ministry work. And yes, while I do have an eclectic resume that challenges the norms, and I still sometimes fumble when explaining the steps on my crooked path, my experience from the CSTM continues to be a source of inspiration that fuels my work and faith."
Lynn Berardelli is currently serving as the associate director of The Church in the 21st Century (C21) Center at Boston College, a catalyst and a resource for the renewal of the Catholic Church.
Joe Markey, M.T.S '25
“After 40 years of corporate and investment banking, why would anyone choose to return to school, especially to study theology? To most, banking and theology are worlds apart. But, throughout my years of working with executive leadership teams, I have observed how great leaders possess traits that epitomize what it means to be truly human: authenticity, empathy, inclusiveness, agency for change, and perhaps most importantly, a foundational respect for human dignity. Transitioning from the boardroom to the classroom has been a humbling experience. I no longer possess the institutional knowledge, relationships, and position to compensate for my inadequacies. I must admit that I feel uncomfortable at times. I remind myself that complacency is the enemy of personal, professional and spiritual growth. If you're not uncomfortable, you're not changing; if you're not changing, you're not making progress.
I am excited about the opportunity to bring my many years of experience to the classroom here at BC CSTM, and eventually return to the private sector with a renewed sense of service for others.“
Una Murphy, BC undergrad '89, M.A.T.M. '23
“'Cast your net to the right side of the boat …' John 21:6. On a retreat, I heard these words as an invitation to go in a different direction with my future. In this passage, Peter dives in, swimming towards a friend who loves, forgives and calls to serve. I decided to dive in too. As a woman in her fifties, returning to graduate school was a leap of faith. For several years, I made up so many reasons to not apply to BC CSTM. I won’t get it in; I’m too old; I can’t write all those papers; I am a public school kid with two courses in theology from undergrad - how will I survive in class with all those Jesuit scholastics? But in the end I could not ignore the call and my desire to go. Now, as I come to the end of my M.A.T.M program, I am sad to be leaving this amazing place. In the beginning the work was a bit daunting as I geared up after a 30 plus year academic hiatus. With the support and encouragement of the CSTM community, both staff and students, I found that I could hold my own and I have enjoyed the challenge. I love the spiritual, intellectual and good natured conversation. I love the community and friendships made through classes, projects and mutual encouragement at the Theology and Ministry Library as everyone dug in to their work. I love being in classrooms with students of various ages, from so many countries and life experiences each bringing diverse perspectives. I love attending Mass and repast with the CSTM community. I feel the Spirit of God at work here at the BC CSTM. I recognize that It has been an amazing privilege to return to study theology and ministry. It has allowed me to move beyond limitations in my understanding of God and Church. It has reassured me of the future and vibrancy of the Church and it has renewed my faith in the work of the Holy Spirit in our world. I encourage those who are discerning to take the leap. Dive into the deep.”
Mike Warner, M.Div. '24
I came to the CSTM to start my third career; I’ve spent measurable years in the arts, in education, in business, and in family, and distributed that experience overseas and in several of the States. In looking for a divinity program, then, I looked for characteristics consistent with my lived experience. In addition to excellent course offerings, I wanted to work with people who have a global vision and who can speak to the global Church, without limiting that conversation to the U.S. Catholic Church. The CSTM offered that in scholarship and in a collection of colleagues –professors and fellow grad students – from Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia, in addition to French Canada, Mexico and the U.S. So my scholarly conversation has never lacked for a global perspective, and has included a global professional ministry practicum that has fundamentally influenced my education and my faith.
My life overseas has included significant and ongoing time working in the Central American Province of the Jesuits. That context formed my expectations in a graduate program. My remembrances of courage in the face of real, mortal danger, on the part of Catholic nuns, clergy, lay ministers and peoples of God, left me with very high standards for graduate school. I wanted a learning environment animated by the Spirit, embracing the experience of the Holy Family, reflecting the Acts of the Apostles, and marked by courage. I have never struggled to build my studies around those standards, and have done so while enjoying encouragement, support, and accompaniment from faculty, students and staff.