Newman graduates take skills into a variety of ministries

40 awarded degrees at 2006 convocation

"I love coming to daily Eucharist. It's a beautiful experience, where I quench my thirst for God." Debbie Doornbos

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

As a child in the civilian world, Steven Defer was an active Catholic. He served the altar for 10 years with thoughts of becoming a missionary.

As an adult with the Canadian Armed Forces, the Manitoban attended church with his wife Nancy and their children. When a friend suggested that if he wanted to do Church work, he could do it in the military. It was a possibility he had never considered.

"At the time, I didn't know the military had chaplains," said Defer, 36. "That's how little I knew."

Defer was a mechanical engineer and signals officer for 14 years before he discerned a vocation in the chaplaincy. He will join the pastoral associate team in the Military Ordinariate of Canada, the diocese serving Canadian Catholic Armed Forces personnel.

"About half of our Roman Catholic chaplains are pastoral associates, typically married men and women with children," said Defer, a captain in the Armed Forces. He and his wife Nancy, have been married for 12 years. They have three children.

Master of divinity

Along with recently ordained Father Marc Cramer, Defer was one of three people who received a master of divinity degree Oct. 14 during Newman Theological College's convocation in the college's chapel. Faculty and friends - including Archbishop Emeritus Joseph MacNeil - were on hand to congratulate the 40 graduates.

During the ceremony, Defer was also presented with the Joseph N. MacNeil Outstanding Achievement Award.

"I think faith helps us put into perspective the things we do and why we are here," he said. "It is an important part of who I am."

Valedictorian Debbie Doornbos has been involved with the Oblate Parish Mission Team for six years. As her life allowed, with three sons now in their 20s, it took her eight persistent years to obtain her bachelor of theology. She also obtained a diploma in theological studies.

"I think faith helps us put into perspective the things we do and why we are here." Steven Defer

Doornbos plans to continue her work in parish outreach.

"I completed a lay formation course in Prince Albert and I wanted more. I was not sure how I could study theology, but I loved it. I kept studying part-time, until a year ago when I began full-time."

Doornbos has been married to her husband John for 31 years. She is grateful for her family's support.

"My first professor told me to keep studying theology. It was some encouragement I needed to keep going," she said. "When he was here, Father Martin Moser went out of his way to get material for me for a paper I was writing."

Moser was dean of theology at the college for several years.

Liturgies a highlight

"The liturgies at Newman were a highlight," Doornbos said. "I love coming to daily Eucharist. It's a beautiful experience, where I quench my thirst for God."

The college atmosphere opened Doornbos to how she can carry out her ministry.

"I think I see God much more than before. I hope my education translates into my love of God so when I am dealing with others, I am more open to them.

The interaction of different denominations at the college appealed to Vernie Yee and the Rev. Elizabeth Wolfert. A pastor with the Christian Missionary Alliance (Protestant) and a medical doctor, Yee plans to integrate his religious calling with his medical training to provide free clinics in poor areas of the world.

"Newman is very ecumenical, open to people of other denominations," said Yee, 50, who received a master of theology.

"I was able to dialogue with others that broadened my Christian faith as a whole rather than just a narrow tradition of it."

Wolfert was ordained an Anglican priest this March. She is grateful for the profs who went out of their way to help her achieve her bachelor of theology.

Anglicans and Catholics

"Coming to Newman was wonderful, to hear where we came from because Anglicans and Catholics really are brothers and sisters. There is very little that separates us," said Wolfert, pastor of St. Andrew Parish in Morinville.

She credits Newman for having the means of providing answers to people who have difficult issues with their faith.

"Having a variety of faiths helped us to sharpen each other. The professors were aware that I was going into pastoral ministry and were available to ensure I was equipped with what I needed."

Defer said his experience at Newman College has opened his eyes to what the Church is. It has given him a mature grasp of what it means to be a Christian.

"In many ways, I grew up with an adolescent view. If I accomplish anything as a chaplain, it will be to convince Christians - and Catholics in particular - to live their vocation as Christians in whatever they do," he said.

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