Once a teacher

What is it like to teach Scripture and Theology to young
people today?  "Fun and very challenging" according to

Mary Kate Birge, SSJ, Associate Professor of Theology

at St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Following 16 years of teaching high school in Massachusetts,

Sr. Mary Kate received her Doctorate from Catholic

University and has been at MSM since 2001.

She says she likes the give and take of the classroom, "I

especially love to see students' eyes suddenly grow bright

with excitement when they "get" some point and can

apply it to their own lives."  Mary Kate also feels strongly

that the mission of the University is closely aligned to that of the Sisters of St. Joseph.  "It offers that very same hope and direction I find in my congregation's own history for how we will accomplish this task of

handing on our Catholic tradition and identity to the next generation."  She adds that she is deeply grateful

for the opportunities afforded her at Mount St. Mary's.

(This article originally appeared in Witness a publication of the SSJ Development Office.)