Nine graduates from the Little Rock Theology Institute received bachelors’ degrees in theology at a Mass and commencement Saturday, Sept. 12 at Morris Chapel in St. John Center in Little Rock.
Receiving their diplomas from Father Charles Buckley, acting president of St. Gregory University in Shawnee, Okla., were:
Sam Justus, a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Hot Springs Village. Justus is currently on the membership committee for the Knights of Columbus and helps with Meals on Wheels at the parish as well.
Harrigan Wortsmith, a member of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock. Wortsmith is a lector and assists in marriage preparation at the parish.
Cathy France, a member of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock. France is the secretary for the Diaconate Office for the Diocese of Little Rock and is helping with the RCIA process at her parish.
Sharon Goodson, a member of Christ the King Church in Little Rock. Goodson is a former associate youth director at the parish.
Marvin Honeycutt, a member of Christ the King Church in Fort Smith. Honeycutt is an attorney.
Brant Law, a member of Sacred Heart Church in Charleston. Law is a teacher.
Sister Therese Moreno, OSB, of St. Scholastica Center in Fort Smith.
Lynn Pownall, a member of St. Joseph Church in Conway. Pownall works for Conway Corp.
Linda Robertson, a member of St. Edward Church in Texarkana. Robertson is director of adult formation at St. Edward’s.
Msgr. John O’Donnell was the main celebrant at the Mass. Deacon Chuck Hankins assisted.
Also attending the Mass was Dr. Richard L. Luckwick, provost at St. Gregory, and family and friends of the graduates.
According to Diana Pisana, associate director of the diocesan Office of Religious Education and Christian Initiation, five others have completed the three-year course but will receive their diplomas later.
Patricia Alston, a member of St. Mary Church in Altus. Alston is director of religious education at the parish.
Michael Boze, a member of Christ the King Church in Fort Smith. Boze is a businessman.
Julie Hankins, a member of St. Boniface in Fort Smith and wife of Deacon Chuck Hankins.
Alice Nahas, a member of Christ the King Church in Fort Smith.
Sherry Scorby, a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith. Scorby is the advancement director at Immaculate Conception School.
Little Rock Theology Institute is a partnership between the Diocese of Little Rock’s Office of Religious Education and Christian Initiation and St. Gregory University in Shawnee, Okla. It is a two-year program with an optional third year in which participants can earn a college degree. Classes are held one weekend a month from September through June.
For more information, call the religious education office at (501) 664-0340 or visit the office’s Web site at www.dolr.org/offices/religiouseducation/religiouseducation.php.
