On Friday 6th June Kitty McKinley and Marist seminarian Phil Bennenbrook were amongst the 16 students to graduate with a Graduate Diploma in Theology from from Good Shepherd College – Te Hepara Pai.
While for Phil the study is part of his preparation for priesthood, Kitty is the founder of Challenge 2000, a Social Worker, facilitator and leader of the Marist – Challenge 2000 Gap year.
Kitty says she enjoyed the intellectual stimulation of studying theology and the accompanying challenge to translate it into pastoral situations.
“Canon Law had a particular attraction for me.
“It is great to learn how to integrate the rights and responsibilities of all members of the church in terms of both understanding and practice – very interesting and thought provoking,” she said.
Kitty recommends lay people consider studying at Good Shepherd College.
“I really encourage other lay people to get on and do it,” she said.
For Kitty, being able to study at a distance; from her own home, is all very modern.
“It’s a lot different from when I studied towards my first two degrees.”
Laughing she said, “In the old days you could fake the timeline when you sent stuff in. However the Internet time-stamps your sending assignments so you have to make the deadline rather than fake it.”