The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist are pleased to honor Barbara Morgan as as the 2017 Medal of St. Dominic Recipient.
For over 50 years, Barbara has labored devotedly and enthusiastically to advance a catechetical renewal faithful to the aims and teaching of the Second Vatican Council. Her vision and commitment have touched the lives of millions, who have benefited by learning “the surpassing knowledge of the mystery of Christ” from her and from those she trained.
Barbara's catechetical career began at the age of 14 when she volunteered to assist her own catechist at local Native American reservations. Throughout her career she has served as youth minister, adult education director and director of religious education. With her pastor she also helped her parish become one of the first in the country to implement the newly released Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Her expertise eventually led her to be a consultant for Catechesis to the Diocese of Peoria, an RCIA consultant for the Archdiocese of Washington DC, and a Catechist training consultant for the Diocese of Sioux Falls.
Barbara Morgan was invited to Franciscan University of Steubenville in 1994 by Father Michael Scanlan to establish the Catechetics Program in response to the growing number of students attracted to the University with a desire to serve the Church. Barbara's deep knowledge of the Faith, extensive experience in the catechetical field, her passion for teaching, and her love of the Lord and His Church made her the ideal candidate for this undertaking.
(Excerpt taken from Franciscan University)
Barbara is recognized internationally as a leader in catechetics. She has collaborated with Christoph Cardinal Schönborn on various projects, worldwide. His encouragement has led her to write her magnum opus, a manual for catechists which will train them to think about doctrine with the heart and mind of the Church. This book is in the final stages of drafting and is expected to be published in 2018 by the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.
Since her retirement from Franciscan University, Barbara has served as the Director of Religious Education at Christ the King Church in Ann Arbor. She has trained many of the Sisters and the teachers of Spiritus Sanctus Academy in the craft of catechesis, and she routinely advises the Academies on catechetical curriculum and spiritual enrichment for our students.