William Burton:
CLASS OF 1971
St. Joseph's Seminary SchoolClass of 1971
Oak brook, IL
William's Story
I'm currently on the faculty of a diocesan seminary - St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, FL. It is a "major" seminary where the candidates finish their Masters Degrees in theology and their formation for diaconate and later, priestly ordination. I started this job and transferred from our friary in Chicago this past August, 2011.
I was ordained in 1989, after finishing my MDiv and MA at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and was sent to get a doctorate in Biblical Studies. I finished my SSL (licentiate in Biblical Studies) at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and then transferred to the Gregorian University, also in Rome, for the doctorate (STD). I was sent to Quincy University to teach and then became Vice President for Academic Affairs and Mission and Ministry. I loved the teaching; hated the administrative work.
After 9 years at QU I asked to do Bible Study as Adult Education for Catholic parishes. I transferred to a small friary in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago and lived with Fr. Chuck Faso and Bro. Clarence Klingert. From there I traveled constantly, offering parish bible study sessions, parish missions and retreats - all biblically based presentations. Chuck had...Expand for more
been doing this kind of itinerant work, preaching and teaching primarily on things liturgical, for many years. So he generously mentored me and introduced me to this kind of travel.
It was while offering a parish mission in Tampa, FL in March of 2011 that the pastor asked if I'd be interested teaching on the graduate level at their diocesan seminary. A spot had just become vacant. I was interested as the constant travel was wearing me out. My provincial agreed and I got this wonderful job teaching biblical studies to men who are interested in the subject (unlike most undergrads!) and even excited about it.
I've been working on two books for years and hope my time here will allow me to finish them and get them published. I produced a 3-DVD set of lectures on biblical study some years ago and hope to add subsequent DVDs on different topics. (St Anthony Messenger distributes them.)
I am and have been an avid bicyclist for years. Due to some chronic lower back problems, 20 years ago I had to switch from the "normal" upright bike to recumbent bikes. I hope to pedal into my dotage - if the Florida drivers don't kill me first!
I'm happy St. Joe's has this site and hope it sparks lots of reconnections among alums.
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