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 ...

The Journey Continues . . .  During February, I focused on my health. I am thankful that I had finished five interviews, pláticas, in January. Two more women priests responded to my request for an interview. I had set up one of them for 2/16/21, but it turned out that I could get my first chemotherapy scheduled that day. I was excited to get started with the chemo because Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, the type of cancer I have, is aggressive and frequently returns. So I need to be just as aggressive with starting the chemo.  The month started with several appointments, an Echocardiogram, a neck CT scan to make sure the cancer hadn't spread to the lymph nodes in my neck. Then, I was scheduled to get a PET scan, but it was postponed due to the insurance needing to get a different doctor to order it, the radiation oncologist, and not the ENT/Rhinologist. I got emotional, and my sister reminded me to stay calm and that we would find a way.  I also had surgery to place a port und...

Today I wrote drafted a short letter (one page) to the women priests who will be participants in my study. I shared who I am and why I am studying the struggles of women priests. I wrote in part: "I am a woman who loves deeply and tenderly. I have a fire in my heart that refuses to give up no matter what hardships come my way. . . . I call myself a recovering Catholic, a Chicana feminist who bases her life (personal and professional) in spirituality. I jokingly say “recovering” because I go back and forth, trying to decide if I’m going to stay in or leave the Church. . . . I’m a cultural Catholic and more, Jesus’s teachings of inclusivity, love, hope, serving the poor, strike a deep chord within me. . . . Learning about Catholic women priests gives me a renewed hope for my Church." I also created a brief video (3:25 mins) to further discuss why I conducting this study. I want the women priests to get a chance to view me, to get to know me a little more. I shared that I want t...

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...

Today, I begin my blog to document my dissertation journey! My plan is to graduate by December 2021. I will highlight my progress. Thank you for following me and supporting my effort.  I am "first gen" to graduate from Phoenix College, AA (1993), ASU, BA, emphasis in Latin American Studies (1996), UCLA School of Law, JD, and ASU, PhD (anticipated graduation 2021).  On December 17, 2020, I successfully defended my dissertation prospectus: Anzaldúa's Path of Conocimiento in service of Roman Catholic Women Priests. I am now ABD (all but dissertation), a PhD Candidate. A couple of days later, ASU's IRB approved my updated research study application.  (Morris & Irvin, 2009) On December 29, 2020, I began reaching out to four Catholic women priests who had agreed to be a part of my study in 2017, later in the day, I heard from three of them. I'm so excited! I want to learn about the struggles women priests face in their everyday lives and how we can support them so t...