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Pathways@CTU empowers students to create the kind of community programming that reflects the changing needs of the Church, while preparing for ministry that focuses on justice and activism.
Over the course of two years, Pathways students will earn a Master’s degree while receiving:
- Full-tuition scholarship
- Graduate assistantship with stipend
- Intentional community living with housing provided
- Integrated personal and community formation
- Leadership development
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Degree: Master of Arts in Hispanic Theology and Ministry
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Undergraduate Institution: Arizona State University
Fun fact: I have seen the incorrupt body of St. Ferdinand, who is my name saint.
What is a sacred moment from your Pathways experience? A sacred moment that I have experienced through Pathways has been attending the concluding mass of the racial justice pilgrimage along with my peers, staff, and faculty members. We receive communion in a very unique way. We all gathered close to the altar and stood in a circle as we passed the body and blood of Christ to one another. We were each receivers of the Eucharist and Eucharist ministers to each other. This was a beautiful experience that symbolized community for me.
What are you looking forward to this year for Pathways? I am looking forward to diving into my ministry practicum. I am excited to accompany the women of Bethany House of Hospitality and be of service to them in a meaningful way.
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Degree: Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies
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Degree: Master of Divinity
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Degree: Master of Divinity
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The application for the Pathways@CTU living-learning community can be completed in the ‘Additional Questions’ section of the master’s degree application. The priority deadline is February 1.
Requirements include:
- One reference: Please provide a reference from someone who can directly speak to your interest and potential to grow in the areas of leadership, community and commitment to issues of justice (this may also serve as a reference for your degree application).
- Interview: Applicants will be contacted upon submission of their application.
- Essay: Please provide an additional 500 word essay that addresses the following:
- Your interest in the Pathways@CTU Living Learning Community
- Your experience of and hopes for leadership in the Church
- Previous experience(s) of community life and formation and your understanding of the relationship between community and theological formation
Once you click the above pop-up, click any of the colorful arrows on the game board to learn more about that topic!
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Karen Ross, PhD (she/her/ella) is a graduate program director, theology and ethics professor, and yoga and mindfulness instructor. She currently works as the director of the Pathways@CTU program, which seeks to engage and empower young people- especially those from marginalized communities- in co-creating the church of tomorrow. She received her PhD in theology and ethics from Loyola University Chicago. Her teaching and research focuses on feminist ethics and Catholic sexuality education, particularly of young women and girls.
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Pathways@CTU is an initiative made possible by the Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, a three-phase initiative designed to help theological schools across the United States and Canada as they prioritize and respond to the most pressing challenges they face as they prepare pastoral leaders for Christian congregations both now and into the future.
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Karen Ross, PhD
Director
A Pathway for Tomorrow: Co-Creating the Church of Tomorrow at CTU