Steve Doody Reflections, continued
Every once in a while I will return to New Orleans to attend a session of my old prayer group that still meets weekly,and I know that I am able to contribute much more to that group discussion than I used to, and that is directly attributable to my LIM studies. My prayer group friends comment that they see a difference in me, that I obviously have learned much and can speak with more authority than I used to, before my LIM studies. To me, that is something I am "doing" with my LIM degree.
Right now I am writing a paper on the history of the Bible, a project I am undertaking as my way of continuing my LIM studies on my own. I read three books on the subject during the summer, I made copious notes during my readings, and I am now assimilating those notes in a paper. i.e., I am doing what I would have done at LIM if I were still there and taking a course on bible history. I have no idea if I will do anything with what I am writing, maybe publish it, maybe use it in some future class if I ever have the chance to teach, maybe nothing except collect dust on my book shelf at home. In any case, to me this is an example of what I am "doing" with my LIM degree.
Bottom line: I loved my LIM studies, I would and have recommended LIM to others, I think I am using my LIM degree and "doing" good things with it.
Back to Student Successes
Testimonial by Terry Deokaran, continued
The LIMEX Program has not only opened up worlds of knowledge to me, it has also caused me to seek at a very deep level the spirituality that I was so drawn to three years ago. My studies, which have become my ministry, lead me into prayer and meditation. Within these studies I seek and find the Divine. By means of the grace of God and by means of the teachings of reflective/active study, I have grown into a woman of God with a unique spirituality. I pray. I study. I contemplate. I take the fruits of my contemplation out to others to help them see the love of our beautiful Lord (seems as though St. Dominic has touched my heart with his contemplative active way!). Over and over these fruits (whether they be love, freedom, or simply revelations revealing my authentic self) I give back to God in further study in order to know him at an even deeper level. Interiorly, I am a changed person since I began my studies at LIM. My longing to know God and to work for him is intense. I continue to develop my spirituality so that my mind and my heart are both open to the Spirit. I desire to set others' hearts aflame as my own is in his love. My practice of spirituality daily consists of the following: 1. Daily Mass 2. Divine Office 3. Ignatian Exercises 4. Eucharistic Adoration 5. LIMEX Studies 6. Other Spiritual Readings with a focus on Mysticism 7. Contemplative Prayer 8. Spiritual Friendships In the course of my LIMEX studies and my deep prayer life, the longing I initially felt for God has grown into a burning desire. There is within my soul a distinct call from God to give my life to him, his Church and his people. My spirituality has developed into the Dominican charism that I so loved in the initial stages of my journey. I find myself in continual conversion with my focus being solely on Christ. These conversion moments have not only allowed me to see with greater understanding the Mystery that is our God, but have also led me to a possible lifestyle change. This past week I met with the Vocation Director for the Springfield, Illinois, Dominicans. I am in discernment for late vocation (an uphill climb due to my age, divorce and children) with the Dominican Sisters. This is a radical, counter-cultural decision made possible because of the doors God has opened for me while a student of Loyola. Without the initial theological knowledge gained and, most assuredly, without the reflective process, I would not have become aware of God's gentle nudging. I give praise to our God, and in the same breath, thank LIM for its ability to reach my interior spirit. The certainty in this journey is I will graduate next May, 2010, with my MPS, with a focus area of Spirituality. My aspirations, and may they be God's will, are to attend the Spiritual Director Training Program at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis and to begin active discernment/candidacy in a Dominican women's congregation. No matter the outcome of this process, I forsee myself continuously seeking God in studies and prayer. Whatever I do will be for the love of him. May I hold in my heart Mary's fiat.
Thank you for allowing me to share my journey. Know all efforts on behalf of LIM are well appreciated. Blessings. Terry Deokaran, Hammond; Kent Bordelon's Baton Rouge LIMEX Group