Peter D. Hill, C.Ss.R.

Valedictory Address

The Washington Theological Union
May 2nd 2008

Dr. Donnelly, Dr. Burkhard- President, Dr. Coriden- Dean, The board of Trustees, Faculty, Staff, Family, Friends, students and fellow graduates, Good Afternoon. As I look back at our time at the Union, I can’t help but think of the opening lines of Charles Dickens’ novel, A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”
We certainly can say that our time at the Union was the best of times!
It was the best of times as we walked in excitedly to Dr. Koernke’s liturgy class unknown to us that we were about to be, to use her word, “Derascinated” from our incomplete thinking and practices on matters liturgical and to truly understand the phrase, lex orandi, lex credendi.
It was the best of times as we, both lay and religious students, sat on the terrace having wine and cheese or enjoying a pint at the Brook as we tried to make sense of Rahner’s condition for the possibility of the doctrine of grace. It was the best of times as we walked into the cafeteria to the shouts of “chicken salad on rye”, “cheeseburger and fries”, “B.L.T on wheat” trying to get some energy to get through Dr. Coriden’s Canon Law class at the deadly hour of 1PM. It was the best of times as we gathered for festival of the Arts, Karl’s Kafe and Advent lessons and Carols where the many talents of the Union Community were highlighted.
“ It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” In the last five years, we have to admit that life wasn’t always fine and dandy. It was the worst of times as our enrollment began to decrease and some classes had very low numbers or were cancelled because of lack of students. It was the worst of times as we suffered the loss of a number of fine and memorable faculty members to other academic institutions, the departure of one of our founding orders, the Augustinians and the death of a student, Eric Lauderman. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”
However, in the midst of these “best” times and “worst” times, the Washington Theological Union has proven herself to be the great institution that she is and has equipped this graduating class with the tools needed to go out into the world of ministry so that we can survive the best and worst times that are ahead of us. How have we been equipped?
During our time at the Union we have had the opportunity to study and work with both lay and religious, each adding a special flavour to the life of the Union. The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales have imprinted their gift of spiritual direction on us; The Paulists showed us how important technology and media is in evangelization; The Carmelites have shown us how to live contemplation in action; The Redemptorists taught us the importance of Preaching to the hungers of the heart and the importance of being God’s merciful presence in the world. The Augustinians who, though no longer with us, will always be remembered for teaching us the importance of having a community of love and respect where the presence of God can be recognized through each member. And of course the many branches of Franciscans are a continual witness to us of a lived life of gospel poverty. The lay men and women, married and single helped us to appreciate the many ways in which the laity contribute to the church and reminded those of us who are to be ordained, of the necessity of collaboration with the laity. So, by studying with both Religious and lay, the Union has equipped us with a wide understanding of the variety of gifts available in the Catholic tradition.
Secondly, the Union has equipped us with a solid theological education. In the words of Dr. Theresa Koernke, “Darlings, this is a graduate school not catechism”. Through our time at the Washington Theological Union, we have continuously been held to high academic and ministerial standards so that we may be the best educated and best prepared men and women for ministry in the church. We leave the Union tattooed on our chest, that a homily is “a scriptural interpretation of human existence that enables a community to recognize God’s presence and respond to that presence through a life lived in conformity with the Gospel” thanks to Dr. Wallace.
Our Professors reminded us that the sacraments are for the living and that we are to NEVER baptize dead babies, NEVER to use the mass as our toy, to not ask incomplete questions and of course to be responsible for the truth to which we’ve come or else the spirit of Dr. Koernke will come and hunt us down. We have learned that the importance of 1752 is not about the year the liberty bell arrived in Philadelphia but rather it is the total number of Canons in the Code of Canon Law and if we are ever stuck, we should always call on good old 1752 as the salvation of souls is always the supreme law of the church. We have been taught the importance of the sacred scriptures in our lives, to meditate daily with, to exegete, to teach and to preach.
Through theological reflections I and II, and the dreaded integrating seminar, we have learned the importance of being good ministers to people and how our theology influences and informs our work.
Thanks to Dr. Senander and Dr. O’Neil, we saw that Jerry Seinfeld, Matt Damon, Woody Allen and BEES have the ability to teach us major themes of Catholic Social teachings and foundational principles of Moral Theology.
And of course, thanks to the red sweater wearing professor of sytematic theology, we all leave the Union knowing who’s in the cradle and that without God’s grace, well... the rest I will tell you at the reception!
Yes, the Union has given us a sound theological education. Lastly and by no means least, if you take a look at the seal, you will notice the cross in the middle. The Washington Theological Union has taught us the importance of having Christ, and His paschal mystery as the center of our lives. The Union has never failed in reminding us of the many modes of Christ presence: in the Scriptures, in ourselves gathered, and of course in the consecrated body and blood of our Lord. It is also in this cross that the Union has taught us to have our hope for the future.
The Special charisms of lay and Religious, a sound theological education and a life centered in Christ have been the hallmark of our education here at the Union. As we leave here today, we leave as proud men and women. Proud at the fact that this school has been able to get the Doctor of Ministry program off the ground with registration beginning towards the end of the year. Thanks to Will Heaton and Fr. Gene Hemrick, our star runners, we were able to raise more than 23,000 dollars in support of the school from the cherry blossom run. Our classmate Steven Bell showed off the talent of the Union as he represented us as one of the main cantors at the Papal Mass in Washington.
We have a lot to be proud of as members of the Washington Theological Union and as the graduating class of 2008 say farewell, we want to say a special thank you to Dr. Burkhard. Dr. Burkhard, during our time at the Union, you have certainly taught us valuable lessons, not just in ecclesiology and Christology but also the importance of responding to a need in ministry. We thank you for graciously giving of your time and talents in responding firstly to be Dean and then to be President on two occasions. We all know that these are in no way easy tasks, and we thank you first of all for your love for this school and for your willingness to serve this school in its time of need. May God Bless you, May God continue to Bless the Washington Theological Union and May God Bless this graduating class as we say Thank you and good bye.