Newman's challenges and joys built a solid faith foundation

Andy Korvemaker

By ANDY KORVEMAKER
Special to the WCR

I came to Newman Theological College (NTC) as a seminarian in 2002. I then spent five years working towards my master of divinity degree, leaving the seminary in 2005 to continue formation for lay ministry.

It was an incredibly enriching and challenging period of my life. A number of the instructors were simply amazing. I even found that I enjoyed my classes, in spite of the constant barrage of papers demanding to be written.

I developed a good number of deep friendships during my time studying at the college: seminarians, lay students, priests, instructors, and staff. These relationships are some of the biggest things I will take from my time there.

Building on five previous years of seminary formation, my experience at NTC was a source of much growth and many insights into my faith. I feel I have a much fuller understanding and experience of who God is and some of the many ways he is active in my life.

My life definitely had its ups and downs during this period, but I found that my experiences and my studies fed into each other, each helping me to understand the other more clearly.

I'm now working in a parish, helping to direct and coordinate the sacramental preparation programs and helping with everything else that comes up. The spiritual and intellectual formation I received at Newman has been extremely valuable in preparing me for this ministry.

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