Comments:
I was only in the Concordia Catholic schools for one year, in eighth grade. Sister Francis Xavier was our teacher, one of the best I've had. She later left the CSJs and married a cousin of mine, John Chaput, and eventually was in the apartment next to my parents at Mount Joseph. We became good friends over the years.
After graduating from 8th grade in 1957 I went to the public high school in Concordia for one year, then to the seminary in Victoria, KS. (Chuck Chaput and I started there at the same time.) I graduated from St. Mary's College High School Seminary in St. Mary, KY, in 1961 and from college there in 1965. I did graduate seminary studies at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., receiving an M.A. in 1969 and being ordained for the Diocese of Salina in Notre Dame High School the same year. I was in the parish in Abilene, KS, for four years, then returned for further study at Catholic University, receiving my doctorate in 1976. My degree was in systematic theology, with a specialization in sacramental theology and liturgy.
I began teaching at Rosemont College in suburban Philadelphia in 1975, then took a position at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, in 1982. I taught both undergraduates and graduates at Gonzaga and also taught graduates at the University of Notre Dame for several summers. Most of my teaching has been in Catholic theology, sacramental theology, liturgy, and ecclesiology, although I've taught several other courses, including one on Buddhism.
In addition to teaching I had a couple of administrative positions, including director of department and graduate programs and six years as department chair. I published several books and many articles, mostly in the area of liturgy and sacramental theology, and did quite a few workshops around the country for priests and religious educators.
I continued to do some pastoral work while teaching. I've helped with campus ministry and in parishes and served for several years as sacramental minister in a Spokane parish.
I retired from full-time teaching at the beginning of 2008. Since then I have done some part-time teaching at Gonzaga and at the University of Portland and have continued research and writing. I have also occasionally presided at liturgy in various places in Spokane, serve as a volunteer chaplain with Hospice, and am often called to a local hospital. I recently served as chaplain for a European pilgrimage.
Through the years I've remained an avid reader and student as well as teacher. Thanks to learning carpentry from my dad, I've remodeled my homes in Philadelphia and Spokane. There's still a little farmer in me--I always have a vegetable garden! I've always enjoyed traveling and have visited Europe (most of western Europe and also Turkey) and Asia (Thailand and Cambodia) several times, Australia once, and the Caribbean a couple of times. I'll be doing a cruise this fall along the coast of Central and South America.
I've been blessed with family, especially long-lived parents: my mom died three years ago at 92; dad is in assisted living in Concordia and doing well at 94. Friends have brightened my life, including some that go back to high school (some of you may remember Don Crawford, now a Catholic deacon in Phoenix) and college. My work and vocation have been a joy, never a matter of regret. I'm really enjoying retirement, staying as busy as I want to be, and hopefully still making some contribution.
