Dissertation Journey: The Struggles of Catholic Women Priests and How We Can Support Them

Health Update These past few months, I focused on healing and keeping my commitment to my students (to the best of my ability. I finished teaching on May 21, 2021). Healing from cancer, in my case, Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma , is life-changing, takes time and nearly all of my energy. I had four rounds of chemotherapy. I would say a prayer each time the oncology nurses would insert the medicine into the IV line connected to my port, which I named Lucy.  Shortly after I wrote the last blog entry, I entered the hospital for five days of chemotherapy. My body didn't take too well to the medicine being infused into my system. I had hallucinations and lost my appetite. I had to stay in the hospital an extra day to make sure I was eating. I wanted to go home so badly that I forced myself to start eating even though I wasn't hungry. But after a little while, I began to feel hungry.  Dr. Paul, the medical oncologist, consulted with Banner's sarcoma specialist. They decided to forego ...

Today, I replied to the three women priests who responded to my request to be a part of my dissertation study. All three agreed! I am still waiting on one more response. I included the Recruitment Letter and the Consent Form in my request.  One of the women priests included her signed consent form. My first signed consent form! I emailed them to ask for dates and times that we could meet in January and February 2021.  I will be conducting interviews, which I call pláticas, heart-to-heart conversations. What I like to call, I-to-I talks. In future posts, I will discuss the theoretical framework and the methodology that I'm using for my dissertation.  I have been energized since I learned that my study was approved. I'm looking forward to meeting with the women.  (Quote by Gloria Anzaldúa, n.d.) Yesterday, I found several Catholic women priests that I believe their voices would be important to include in my study. My dissertation committee encouraged me to only in...