Alumni News
Prof. Jonathan Calvillo Named HTI 2021 Book Prize Winner
Hispanic Theological Initiative announced its 2021 Book Award Winners at the beginning of January. Assistant Professor of Sociology of Religion Jonathan Calvillo was one of three awardees for his publication The Saints of Santa Ana: Faith and Ethnicity in a Mexican Majority City.
“I am grateful to the many people who moved this project forward,” Prof. Calvillo writes in his publication’s acknowledgements. “Boston University School of Theology was exceedingly supportive of my research and writing.”
The synopsis of the book includes, “Catholicism has long been the dominant religion among ethnic Mexicans in the U.S. Recent shifts, however, have challenged the traditional association between Mexican ethnicity and Catholicism. Evangelical Protestantism has emerged as a notable alternative of ethnic identity expression for ethnic Mexicans. How does faith shape these immigrants’ sense of ethnic identity? To answer this question, The Saints of Santa Ana compares the experiences of Catholic and Evangelical Mexican immigrants-the two largest religious groupings in the city. Drawing on five years of participant observation and in-depth interviews, this book argues that religious affiliations set Catholics and Evangelicals along diverging trajectories with regard to ethnic identity.”
“I am extremely honored to receive this recognition,” says Prof. Calvillo.
An Advent Meditation from Dean Pak
Wide is the embrace of God, who says tenderly,
“Comfort, O Comfort my people.”
Wide is the embrace of God, who whispers, “Say to
those who are fearful in heart—Do not fear!”
Wide is the embrace of God, who comes in
vulnerability to reveal true strength.
Embracing God’s expansiveness, may we be a beacon
of comfort today.
Held within God’s embrace, may we honor the
dignity and beauty of all living things.
Extending God’s embrace, may we be
ambassadors of justice, peace, hope, and joy this very day.
~ An Advent meditation on Isaiah from Dean G. Sujin Pak
“Natus Est Vobis”, 2018, watercolor, ink, and digital typography, by Br. Blair Nuyda, A.A. (Doctor of Ministry Candidate)
Prof. Courtney Goto Explores How to “Find Faith in a Deadly World”
December 2021 – During the fall 2021 semester, Associate Professor of Religious Education and 2020 Metcalf Award Winner Courtney Goto approached her Creative Pedagogy course in a unique way. While the world is still living with the COVID-19 pandemic, she took the opportunity to incorporate the pandemic into her lessons. Before the first day of classes, she built a “coronavirus piñata,” and themed this semester’s course “Finding Faith in a Deadly World,” inspired by the work of Mai-Anh Le Tran.
The class explored an important question for students: How do faith/spiritual leaders help community members creatively vent their rage during a pandemic? As Goto describes, students in her class were “inspired by the medieval practice of holy foolery, which is a prophetic tradition. Saints in Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions feigned madness in order to critique society.”
Watch Prof. Goto’s video below on how the experiment unfolded, and how her students learned pedagogically in the midst of this deadly pandemic.
“Students couldn’t wait to smash the coronavirus piñata on the last day of class, which we did in the law school courtyard,” said Goto. “Even a stranger couldn’t resist the invitation to join the fun. I think many of us found it cathartic!”
Reverend Terence Curley, D.Min. (STH ’90)
This obituary was originally published by The Solimine Funeral Homes and can be found here.
Reverend Terence P. Curley, D.Min, Aug.8, 1944-Aug 26, 2016 was born in Lynn, MA, the third of seven children of Edmund F. Curley and Eileen C. Koen. He grew up in Swampscott attending St. John's The Evangelist School and St Mary's High School in Lynn, Ma. He attended Cardinal O'Connell Seminary and St John's Graduate School of Theology in Boston before being ordained by Cardinal Medeiros in 1972.
Fr. Curley served as either an assistant or an associate at St. Zepherin Parish, Wayland, Sacred Heart Parish, Lynn and Most Holy Redeemer Parish, East Boston. He was then named associate at St. John the Evangelist (French) parish in Newton. In 1982 he was named associate at St. Mary Star of the Sea, East Boston and in 1983 to a similar position at Incarnation of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Parish, Melrose. Between 1987 and 1993 he was an associate at Immaculate Conception Parish, Salem and Our Lady of Grace Parish, Chelsea. He was named pastor of Saint Susanna Parish in Dedham in 1993 where he served until 2001 when he was named pastor at Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish in Nahant Ma where he remained until his semi-retirement in 2010 due to health concerns. While serving at a number of parishes in the Boston Archdiocese he earned a Doctorate in Ministry at Boston University. During his doctrinal studies he became very involved in the Ministry of Bereavement and shared his expertise in parishes and dioceses across the country. In addition to his parish work he taught graduate courses at Lesley College Graduate School for Counseling Psychology and Expressive Therapy, Cambridge MA, and at Emmanuel College in Boston, MA. He was also an adjunct staff member of the Family Life Office of the Archdiocese of Boston. In recent years, up to the present time, he has been teaching in the Master of Arts in Ministry program at The Theological Institute of St. John's Seminary, Brighton, MA. Fr. Curley served as both an elected board member and President to the National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved. He was also a current board member of the Catholic Cemetery Association. He has written some fourteen books on ministry to the bereaved as well as a dozen video productions that were often run on BCTV and across the country.
Fr. Curley was pre-deceased by his parents; Edmund and Eileen Curley and his older brother Edmund C. Curley. He leaves behind his sisters: Anrita Talbot of Salem, MA, Eileen M. Clay of Me, Brenda M. Noyes of Me. And Maura E. Bostdorf of Nova Scotia as well as his brother Jerome M. Curley of Salem, MA. In addition he leaves several nieces, nephews and grand nephews and nieces. He will be missed by his loving family as well as the countless people he served for over four decades. He would want all to know that life is changed not ended by his death and would no doubt highlight one of his favorite prayers from the Funeral liturgy: Before we go our separate ways, let us take leave of our brother. May our farewell express our affection for him; may it ease our sadness and strengthen our hope. One day we shall joyfully greet him again when the love of Christ, which conquers all things, destroys even death itself. (Order of Christian Funerals, #198)
Fr. Curley will lie in repose on Wednesday from 3-7PM in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 248 Nahant Rd, Nahant. His funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 11AM in St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Those who prefer may make donations to St. Camillus Health Center, 447 Hill St., Whitinsville, MA 01588.
Ms. Billie Jean Melton (STH’96)
This obituary was originally published The Barber Memorial Home and can be found here.
Reverend Billie Jean Melton, passed away on February 13, 2015 at the home of her daughter in Binghamton, NY. During the past year while enduring an extended illness, she has been cared for by her loving family as well as hospice.
Born April 2, 1938 in Lovington, New Mexico, Billie Jean was the daughter of the late Robert Culbert, “R.C.'' and Hazel Marie Lewis. As a young woman, Billie Jean was a missionary to Japan for 5 years alongside her husband and soulmate, the late Charles Melton who died in 1966. Following the death of Charles, Billie Jean returned to the United States and obtained her teaching degree from Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, MA where she taught in the local elementary school for 17 years. From an early age Billie Jean had a deep desire to become a pastor. Upon retiring from teaching she was able to fulfill that dream, earning her Divinity Degree from Boston University, and became an ordained Elder in the West Ohio conference of the United Methodist Church. She pastored in Ohio and New York, retiring from her last pastorate in the churches of Constableville, Glenfield, Greig and Turin of the Lewis County Parish, New York, in January of 2014. It was at this time that Billie Jean began her courageous battle with cancer.
Billie Jean dearly loved her family and took great pleasure in being together. Throughout her life Billie Jean touched many lives, having a heart for children, those in need, and sharing her faith and hope in Jesus. Of Billie Jean's life we can now say: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7. Billie Jean is survived by her son, Walter Melton and wife, Nanette of Westminster, Maryland; daughters, Risa Melton of Olathe, Kansas; Michelle Easttey and husband Tom of Binghamton, New York; seven grandchildren Chrissy (C1ark) Broughton-Smith; Emily, Tom, Charles, and Chloe Easttey; Nathan (Stacy) Melton and Chris Melton. Five great-grandchildren Hunter, Dakota, Jasper, Amber and Chance; sister, Wanda Fuller and husband Tom of Oceanside, CA and niece, Karen, of CA and several extended family members.
At her request there will be a memorial service or “Celebration in Song” held on Saturday, February 28th at 11:00AM at the Boulevard United Methodist Church, 113 Grand Boulevard, Binghamton, NY 13905 with the Rev. Thomas Easttey officiating. A luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in memory of Billie Jean to Lourdes Hospital Foundation (Hospice), 169 Riverside Dr, Suite 103, Binghamton, NY, 13905, the Haiti Mission of Waterloo Methodist Church, 21 E. Williams St., Waterloo, NY, 13165, or the Lewis County Humane Society, 6388 Pine Grove Rd, Glenfield, NY 13343, http://lewiscountyhumanesociety.org/donate
Rev. Dr. Edward W. Bauman (STH ’51)
This obituary was originally published by The Washington Post on Dec. 5, 2021, and can be found here.Sister Mary T. Quinn, D.Min., (STH ’85, ’96)
Sister Mary T. Quinn, 73, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Springfield on November 14, 2021. Born in Cumberland, RI she was the daughter of David L. and Florence V. (Carr) Quinn.
Sr. Mary served as President of the Sisters of St. Joseph from 2005 – 2011. She also served as Director of Vocations, Coordinator of Initial Formation, and Vice President of the Congregation. She taught at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Springfield and at St. Joseph Central High School in Pittsfield. She also worked in Student Services at Elms College and as a therapist at the Berkshire Counseling Center. Sr. Mary worked at the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department holding a variety of positions over the many years she served there.
Sister Mary was preceded in death by her parents. In addition to her Sisters in community, Mary leaves to mourn her loss, three brothers and a sister; David and Ann Quinn, Stephen Quinn, Elizabeth and Marc Quinn-Lacroix, and Kevin and Marie Quinn .She also leaves several generations of loving nephews and a niece, as well as a host of grateful students, dear colleagues and special friends who will forever remember the warmth of Mary’s laughter.
All services for Sr. Mary will take place on Friday, November 19, 2021 at Sacred Heart Church in Springfield. The Wake will be held from 9:15 to 10:45 am with a prayer service at 10:00 am. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 am. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.
Arrangements entrusted to the Sampson Family Chapels.
Rev. Glenn W. Martin (STH ’54)
Glenn W. Martin, age 97, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2021. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Mabel, wife, Margaret, second wife, Jeanne, and daughter, Deborah.Glenn was known for his writing, including articles for local newspapers and church publications, radio, television, short stories, and educational curriculum for church schools, confirmation training, and church camps. He was very proud of the seven books of short stories that he wrote and published. He also conducted Bible studies, small group leadership programs, and retreats.
After retirement in 1987, he returned to his love of music as a drummer in many musical groups, and enjoyed time with family and friends. He also did freelance writing and speaking, and taught senior study classes.
Glenn was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend, and his spirit lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. He is survived by daughters, Christine (John) Dartt, Carol Hendricks, Judith (Gene) Kovacs, and Jane (Brian) Rethlake; grandchildren, Amy, Jason, Justin, Leah, Amber, Jenny, Josh, and Jessica, and many great-grandchildren.
A Service of Remembrance will be held, Friday, 12/10 at 10 AM, Centennial Methodist Church, 1524 County Rd C2 W, Roseville. No visitation will be held. Interment will be at Fort Snelling. Memorials are preferred to UMCOR, Heifer International, and Feed My Starving Children. Washburn-McReavy Funeral Home, 612-781-6828.
Dr. Joseph A. Perez (STH ’55)
Dr. Joseph A. Perez (STH '55) passed away on 11/15/2021 .
Mrs. Patricia McNeil (STH ’67)
Patricia Ray McNeil, 78, of Greensboro, NC, passed away at home on November 9, 2021, surrounded by loved ones as she left her body behind and returned to universal energy.Excited about the changing opportunities for women in the 1960's, Pat became a leader at Florida Southern University, where she was president of the Women's Student Government Association and her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, graduating in 1965.
Following college, Pat married and moved to Boston where she earned a master's in Christian education from Boston University School of Theology. Although she was interested in the ministry, women were unable to be ordained in the United Methodist Church at the time. She worked with the YWCA in metropolitan Boston before moving to Hartford, Connecticut, where she mothered two daughters and deepened her interest in Quakerism. In 1973, Pat moved to Winston-Salem, NC and married Bill McNeil, expanding a relationship that started as a friendship in Hartford and grew into a 48-year love affair.
Pat had a long career in executive leadership and development work. In Winston-Salem, Pat served as the first director of the Forsyth County Council on the Status of Women. As executive director of the Winston-Salem YWCA in the 1970's, she oversaw a merger of racially-separate YW's into a unified organization and guided the YWCA through a building campaign, allowing the YWCA to continue its independence and focus on women, and cultivating administrative and fundraising skills that she carried with her through the next stages of her career. She served in the development office of Guilford College, guiding campaigns that led to the construction of the Frank Family Science Center, the Hege Library and Weller Gallery. Pat continued her fundraising career at the NC School of the Arts, the Childrens Museum in Raleigh, which later became the Marbles Kids Museum, and the Environmental Defense Fund. Following retirement, Pat and Bill settled in Greensboro, where they renewed friendships and membership in New Garden Friends Meeting.
Pat had a deep spiritual, intellectual and loving partnership with her devoted husband Bill. She loved her daily phone calls with her sister, found joy in her two daughters and grandchildren, and loved holiday celebrations with family. She was an avid reader, and loved engaging conversations from the state of the world, to politics, to spirituality, to art.
Pat leaves behind her husband of 48 years, Bill McNeil; her sister Peggy Kinder of Gold Canyon, AZ; her daughters Kristie Bailey of Pretoria, South Africa, and Angie Bailey of Raleigh, NC; three grandchildren, Annah Bruno Bailey of Wilmington, NC, Leah Kaifan Bailey of Greensboro, NC, and Jacob Renk of Raleigh, NC; as well as Jacob's father Scott Renk; and her first husband, Raleigh Bailey of Greensboro, NC.
With the commitment of her husband, Pat was able to remain at home during her last year in declining health. Our family expresses deep gratitude to Hospice AuthoraCare of Greensboro, especially to Maura and Shirley Ann for their care during this time.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., November 20, at New Garden Friends Meeting, to remember Pat's presence in our lives and to share the Light that was within her and within all of us, surrounding us with a loving energy that flows from generation to generation.
Instead of flowers, people may make memorial gifts by contributing to the Guilford College Forward Fund (5800 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27410) or the Piedmont Land Conservancy (1515 W. Cornwallis Drive, #205, Greensboro, NC 27408).