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Pathways@CTU is a new living-learning community for young adults, especially those from Hispanic/Latin@, African American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized groups, who are passionate about co-creating the Church of tomorrow.

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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
Name: Fernanda Balderrama
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.
Name: Paulina Delgadillo
Degree: Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies
Hometown:
Undergraduate Institution:
Name: Paula Gonzalez
Degree: Master of Divinity
Hometown:
Undergraduate Institution:
Name: Maura Rocks
Degree: Master of Divinity
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Undergraduate Institution: Loyola University Chicago
Fun fact: I’ve lived in neighborhoods on Chicago’s north, south, and west sides.
What’s your favorite class so far and why? My ministry practicum coursework was transformative! I was assigned to work at an urban farm near CTU and spent the year working alongside farm staff, supporting growing and food distribution efforts, and working with the team on strategic planning. The time on the farm coupled with meaningful theological reflection made for an incredible learning experience that challenged me, expanded my understanding of ministry, and helped me grow in really unexpected ways.
What is a sacred moment or memory from your Pathways experience so far? Last fall, our cohort collaborated on the Beloved liturgy – a prayer service centering the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community at CTU.  The liturgy was breathtakingly beautiful and the community gathered helped me imagine what the church of the future could look like! 

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
DEGREE APPLICATION

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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.

Karen Ross, PhD
Director
A Pathway for Tomorrow: Co-Creating the Church of Tomorrow at CTU