After several years of volunteering as a Parish School of Religion (PSR) classroom aide and teacher, Becky Rubal received a call.

Rubal said that the Holy Spirit prompted her to pursue earning a master’s degree.

Rubal served as a PSR teacher, classroom aide, Early Childhood PSR coordinator and currently as PSR coordinator at Columbus St. Peter Church during her 20 years there as a parishioner. 

Her love of learning about the Catholic faith and desire to contribute to religious education led to what she describes as the Holy Spirit prompting her to pursue a master’s degree in theology.

Rubal answered the call by enrolling in Catholic Distance University (CDU). 

Established in 1983, CDU is the first and only exclusively online Catholic university in the United States. It offers continuing education certificate programs, as well as undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs.

“I chose Catholic Distance University because it was accredited, it offered a specialization in educational ministry, and it was one of the more affordable distance learning options,” Rubal said.

The university, which brands itself as a pioneer in Catholic distance education, is the only online university recommended by The Cardinal Newman Society. 

The Cardinal Newman Society provides resources to help Catholic educators and leaders uphold the important mission of faithful Catholic education, according to its website. The Society also recognizes select Catholic colleges for their commitment to a faithful education.

According to the “CDU Quick Facts” brochure, “the university educates teachers and learners worldwide in Catholic theology, the liberal arts, and faith development for the growth of faith, ecclesial service, and leadership for the new evangelization.”

“Many of my classes were taught by instructors well-known in Catholic media, such as Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, Dr. Chris Padgett and Deacon Omar Gutiérrez,” Rubal said. “It was such a blessing to be able to take courses remotely at my own pace.”

Rubal, who earned her degree at the end of 2022, began taking courses toward a Master of Arts in Theology and Educational Ministry in fall 2019. She completed one online course per term while then working part time as an information specialist.

She recognized a need for solid catechesis, or religious instruction, when considering the possible outcome of such education.

“When surveys indicate that many Catholics don’t believe in the Real Presence in the Eucharist, or that they’re unaware of the principles of Catholic social teaching, that’s undoubtedly a failure of catechesis,” Rubal said. 

Rubal herself experienced what she describes as a faulty catechetical education.

“I’m a cradle Catholic who suffered from poor catechesis despite going to a Catholic elementary school. As a young adult, I discovered that I knew very little about scripture or church teaching, and I ended up being very lukewarm,” Rubal said.

As a PSR coordinator, Rubal said that earning her master’s in theology and educational ministry has been beneficial in evaluating catechetical materials and lesson planning.

CDU students are taught that prayer is a fundamental component of catechesis.

“We’re taught that one of the fundamental tasks of catechesis is to teach the faithful how to pray and that catechesis should be ‘permeated by a climate of prayer,’” Rubal said.

According to the General Directory for Catechesis, “when catechesis is permeated by a climate of prayer, the assimilation of the entire Christian life reaches its summit” (no. 85). 

Knowledge of sacred Scripture is another fundamental task of catechesis. Rubal plans to incorporate more of the Bible into her lesson plans for the coming year.

“By emphasizing prayer and the knowledge of Scripture, our students will not only be led to understand the truths of the faith, but more importantly, to also develop a personal relationship with Christ,” Rubal said.

CDU made sure that its own students, while in their pursuit of a degree, were educated in this climate of prayer.

“Students (at CDU) were asked to complete a Personal and Spiritual Integration Assessment to help evaluate our spiritual development in nine different areas: self-entrustment to Christ, dialogue with the Word, praying in faith, Godly relationships, witnessing to others, worshipping in spirit and truth, growing in virtue and character development, participation in Christ’s mission, and practicing God’s presence,” Rubal said.

Students were asked to develop a plan for their spiritual growth, which could help them strengthen areas of weakness. Faculty members would follow up with students once or twice a year by calling and checking on their progress.

“Spiritual formation is just as critical as catechetical formation,” Rubal said. “Instructors also can benefit greatly by working on their own spiritual growth and developing a closer relationship with Christ.”