“If you need help, ask for help. Many students are shy about asking for help, but the faculty and staff are here to help you, and a lot of problems are easier to solve when you enlist help sooner rather than later.” – Andrew Davis, Associate Professor of Old Testament
“Be open to the ways the Spirit might move you. There are benefits to planning ahead, but it’s also good to be flexible and open to new interests that might emerge at the CSTM.” – Jaime L. Waters, Associate Professor of Old Testament
“Make allowances for joy in all that is attempted and/or done.” – Benjamin Valentin, Professor of Theology and Latinx Studies
“Be confident of the wisdom you brought with you from your lives in the world, and to put this in dialogue with what you will learn here.” – Tom Groome, Professor of Theology and Religious Education
“Read your papers aloud to yourself – preferably after you have let them sit overnight!” – Heather M. DuBois, Assistant Professor of Peace Studies, Trauma, and Spirituality
“Don’t be shy about asking for help for simple and complicated matters. We all depend on one another for so much, it’s nearly impossible (if we really think about it) to do anything without support of many kinds -from infrastructure to relationships. Vulnerability/the need for help both challenges any hubris we may harbor about our capacities and, if we recognize its power, it can mould us ever more into the likeness of our good and loving and gracious Lord.” – Mary Jo Iozzio, Professor of Moral Theology and Professora Ordinaria
“Good advice for all of life comes from St. Ignatius’ friend St. Philip Neri: “Find JOY in each day.”” – Joe Weiss, S.J., Professor of the Practice of Liturgy
“Embrace your questions and be willing to grapple with them as a means to grapple with the mystery of God–having the time and resources to do so is one of the great gifts of graduate education.” – Richard Lennan, Professor of Systematic Theology and Chair, The Ecclesiastical Faculty
“Look around to other students and learn from them as well as with them. CSTM students are an extraordinary mix of people from throughout the country and world, with rich insights and perspectives. Take advantage of that richness and contribute to it, as you can.” – Theresa O’Keefe, PhD, Professor of the Practice, Religious Education and Youth and Young Adult Faith
“Don’t just read about Laudato Si, Experience it! New Hampshire beaches and mountains, Cape Cod, Walden Pond, foliage in October, Charles River, Castle Island, Make friends, rent a car, take a bus. God’s creation in New England is amazing! Take time to enjoy it!” – Margaret Eletta Guider, OSF, Associate Professor of Missiology, Professoressa Ordinaria, Ecclesiastical Faculty
“The Bible is a single book, the first part (Old Testament) beginning and unfolding a story that is continuing, and the second part (New Testament), furthering that story and bringing it to a glorious conclusion. Read both parts.” Richard Clifford, S.J., Professor Emeritus of Old Testament
“How to Get a Good Night Sleep!
Step one: stop drinking coffee earlier than you might think.
Caffeine has an average half-life of about five hours. This means that if you drink a full cup of coffee at 4pm, by 9pm it’s as if you just drank a half cup of coffee, and by 2am as if you just drank a quarter cup of coffee. Set yourself a cutoff time (for me it is 4pm), after which, do not drink any more coffee (or other caffeinated beverages). This is not a complete remedy to sleeplessness, but, if you have problems getting a good night’s sleep, it is the foundation for more advanced techniques.” – Dr. David W. Jorgensen, Assistant Editor | New Testament Abstracts and Assistant Research Professor of New Testament
“Come for the degree and stay for the education. Don’t be so concerned with assignments and requirements that you forget to get an education. As our former dean Tom Stegman says: “the most important letters here are B & C.” This is a great school.” – John F. Baldovin, S.J., PhD., Prof. of Historical & Liturgical Theology and Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry
“Never worry alone.” – Melissa Kelley, Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling
“Take advantage of the intellectual and cultural richness that you will encounter in the city of Boston. Nearly three dozen universities in the area, some of the best in the world. Attend lectures, visit museums, and enjoy the programming around.” –Hosffman Ospino, PhD, Associate Professor, Theology and Education and Chair, Department of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry