Student Claire (Jensen) Bostrom explains why she decided to study pastoral leadership at The Saint Paul Seminary.
Where are you from?
I grew up in New Brighton, MN attending St. John the Baptist K-8, and Irondale Highschool. For as long as I can remember I’ve been fascinated by plants and animals, and always loved being outdoors. I grew up playing soccer, basketball, and running long distance track.
Who makes up your family?
I am the oldest of three siblings, with a younger brother and sister. Since getting married last summer, I have gained eight new in-laws thanks to my husband! Dominic and I just bought our first home in New Brighton, and we have a 1-year-old black lab, Oliver.
What do you do for work?
While pursuing my Master’s, I have been working part time as a receptionist at a local parish, and as intake coordinator for Novare Counseling Center, a Catholic therapy practice. I was recently hired by St. John the Baptist in New Brighton as “Reach More Mission Coordinator” running the parish’s small groups. I’m eager to step into this new role and use much of my formation from the Master of Arts in Pastoral Leadership.
How has The Saint Paul Seminary helped you in your work?
I foresee my education providing me with confidence to have the hard conversations surrounding the Catholic Church and modern issues. I’ve been given a well-rounded education including Liturgy and Sacraments, Canon Law, Catechetical Leadership and more. Every professor has highlighted the importance of admitting if/when we don’t know an answer, and using the resources we have to find it. I’ve grown in my knowledge of Scripture, the Catechism, and general awe of the thorough care the Church has given to each and every human circumstance.
What led you to the study of pastoral leadership at the seminary?
I studied biology in undergrad; and while I found it fascinating, I couldn’t shake the feeling that lab work was not capitalizing on my gifts. I had a phenomenal experience at the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota, and after stepping into some leadership roles, I discerned that the Lord was calling me to work in the Church in some capacity. This program was the perfect fit as I had received great personal formation in college, but had not engaged in theological study. I knew that if I was going to work for the Church, I wanted to study Church teaching, Canon Law, the Sacraments, etc. in greater detail so that I could be confident in how I was leading others.
What has captured your interest most profoundly in the study of pastoral leadership?
As a biology grad, I have always been fascinated by the complementarity of our faith and science. I recognized connections throughout my life and saw that truth cannot contradict truth. But I couldn’t articulate many of these observations prior to my M.A. studies. In particular, my Theology of God course with Dr. Philip Rolnick helped give definition to what I knew to be true in my head and heart. We studied the mystery of creation and discussed how it can fit with some evolutionary theories; what it means to be an “I,” a person created in the image and likeness of God; and how the mysteries of Christ and the Trinity provide a framework for our own human relationships. I left that course with an extensive further reading list and still go over my notes from time to time.
Why do you think it is important to study pastoral leadership today?
I recognize that not everyone is called to pursue these studies in a Master’s program setting. However, I have been consistently convicted of the importance of each of us challenging ourselves intellectually in our Catholic faith. My studies here have prepared me for a working role in the Church. But more importantly, they have reawakened my passion for the faith, challenged me to go beyond my comfort zone, and certainly made me a better disciple. I’ve been humbled by how little I knew as a cradle Catholic at numerous points in this program; and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow.
What advice do you have for prospective or current lay graduate students?
I think shadowing is a phenomenal way to get a taste of the real classroom experience. When I was first discerning the program, I had a hard time imagining what evening Master’s classes would look like in contrast to my daily undergrad life at a large university. I found so much peace and excitement in shadowing a class; it confirmed my desires for a deeper study of Catholicism and being a part of this community.