ANOTHER LIFE-CHANGING MEMORY FROM THE PAST

Every day, Microsoft One Drive, sends me some of my old photos called "On This Day" in such and such a year. Recently, I received some of the old photos below from 44 years ago that brought back some very good memories.   

In 1979, while working in the Catholic Missions of Southern Kentucky, I was offered a full scholarship from McCormick Presbyterian Seminary toward a Doctor of Ministry Degree in "Parish Revitalization." I took courses for three years, defended my thesis entitled "Strangers in Town: How One Roman Catholic Mission Church Dealt Assertively With Its Environments (Internal Weakness and External Rejection)"  and graduated in 1981. Accepting that scholarship and finishing that degree may have been one of the smartest things I ever did ministerially! It helped me tremendously in the mission area of the state, in the Catholic area mid-state and eventually led to me being named pastor of the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville to lead its successful revitalization as a parish and spiritual center for the downtown community over fourteen years. 

McCormick Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary on the campus of the University of Chicago

My Doctor of Ministry Degree in Parish Revitalization was conferred by McCormick Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in 1981

My D. Min. graduation took place at the Rockefeller Chapel on the campus of the University of Chicago

Lining up to go into my D. Min. graduation in front of the Rockefeller Chapel at University of Chicago. 

Interior of the Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago where the graduation took place. I remember sitting on the right side about half-way back.