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The Doctor Is In

Four years ago, I wrote about going back to school. I mentioned how the children put together a packet of pencils, pens, a notebook, and paper. They sent me off to La Salle University in the summer of 2015 to begin my doctoral studies.

Last Thursday, I finished.

After four summer sessions, dozens of research papers, course work, comprehensive exams, and a final, 250-page dissertation called, “Is Reimagining Faith Formation in the Roman Catholic Tradition Enough to Save the Church for Future Generations?” – it all came down to a conversation with colleagues on Thursday afternoon.

Friends and family gathered in the classroom to hear me pitch my ideas and then engage in a lively conversation with my three readers, Brother John, Father Frank, and my good friend Charlotte. After a little more than seventy-five minutes or so, they opened the conversation to the rest of the room. The first question came from a faculty member, “Isn’t this reimagining just a Hail Mary from the Church?”

The second question came from my own daughter, who I thought had been nodding off during the questioning, but who apparently paid enough attention to ask a pretty good question.

Then another one from another colleague. Then another follow up. Then our ninety minutes were up.

We were all asked to leave the room while the committee met.

After a few minutes, we were called back in and with the iPhone video rolling, my mentor, Brother John, announced, “Well, there is no use delaying it…..Congratulations, Dr. Donovan.”

I have to tell you, it was a little surreal.

So this week, I rest. I pray in thanksgiving for all those who brought me to this moment: my wife and children, my co-workers, Fr. Joe, Brother John, Fr. Frank, Charlotte, and especially, my parents – my first teachers in the ways of faith.

May you be able to unplug this week. May your palm branches find a place of honor in your home. May your feet be washed. May your cross be light. May you find time this week to just sit and be with the Lord in his passion. Read the story. Remember the suffering. Enter the sacrifice.

And celebrate the Light.

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Suddenly Spring

We find ourselves suddenly faced with a few challenges. How did the snow give way to spring so fast? Where did Lent go? Why can I suddenly see all the dust in the house and the dirt on the windows? Will the lawn mower be ready for use in time?

The family also finds itself on a familiar journey with a parent/grandparent. Maureen’s dad was diagnosed last Thursday with stage four Esophageal Cancer. He went in on Tuesday with a low blood count and feeling tired and by Thursday he couldn’t eat. Yesterday he suffered a stroke and has been unresponsive since. It is a familiar journey, whose path and timing and outcome are known to God alone.

So while Maureen is in Baltimore with her dad and siblings, the kids I and will tackle the dust, prep the mower, and clean the house. I call it a staycation. The kids call it choremageddon.

The beauty outside will distract our work. As the rain turns the world here in New England from white to green, we see new life all around, even as we wait for sad news from the south.

Today and tomorrow, we will dust and clean and look for the perfect tree branch for a swing.

Thursday, the poet’s words will come alive as we “discover who we are in the act of washing feet.”

Friday, we will venerate and commemorate and be still.

But on Sunday we will remember how the story ends – we will be reminded that death falls over into life and that for those who believe, the cross is not foolishness or folly, but a sign of the saving power of God.

May God continue to bless Maureen’s dad on this last leg of the journey and may we all have a happy, healthy, holy week.