Theodora Johanna Maria van Gaal Curriculum Vitae

Radboud Universiteit: Home: Houtlaan 4 4911 Crowson Avenue 6525 XZ Nijmegen , MD 21212 The Netherlands (410) 302-3230 [email protected] [email protected]

EDUCATION

PhD in Theology The Nijmegen Institute of Missiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands Dissertation: “Stories of Transformation: Correlating Narratives of African Migrants to the USA and the Narrative of the Dark Night in the Spirituality of John of the Cross” Directors (promotors): Prof. Dr. Frans Wijsen (Full Professor Empirical and Practical Religious Studies) and Dr. Jorge E. Castillo Guerra (Associate Professor Empirical and Practical Religious Studies) Readers: Dr. Elisabeth Hense (Assistant Professor for Spiritual Theology), Prof. Dr. Christophe Hübenthal (Full Professor Systematic Religious Studies), and Prof. Dr. Steven Payne (Chair of the “Center for Carmelite Studies at the Catholic University of America) Submission to manuscript committee expected in the Fall of 2020

1994 Doctoraal (compares to ABD) Dogmatic Theology and Missiology, minors in Church and Theology in Africa, and Exegesis of the Old Testament Radboud University (former: Catholic University of Nijmegen), Netherlands

1994 Certificate in Professional Pastoral Ministry Catholic Theological University of Utrecht, Netherlands

1990 Kandidaats Theology (Bachelor diploma for four years of theology study) Radboud University (former: Catholic University of Nijmegen), Netherlands

PUBLICATIONS

Book Chapters

2021 “Hidden Stories: The Experience of Transformation of African Catholic Migrants to the USA” n The Handbook of African Catholicism, editor Stan Chu Ilo (Notre Dame: Notre Dame University Press). (Forthcoming)

2021 “Stories of Transformation: African Immigrants to the US and the Dark Night of John of the Cross” in The Church and Migration: Global (In)difference, editors Darren Dias, Michael Attridge, Jaroslav Skira, and Gerard Mannion (New York: Palgrave- Macmillan, 2021)

2020 “A Forgotten Mission in African Catholicism? Migration Experiences from the African Diaspora in the United States” in Faith in Action, Volume 1: Reform, Mission, and Pastoral Renewal in African Catholicism since Vatican II, editors Stan Chu Ilo, Nora K.Nonterah, Idara Otu, MSP (Kado Kuchi, Abuja (Nigeria): Pauline Publications Africa, 2020)

Journal Articles

2004 “Het vraaggebed. Vragen, krijgen, geven of ontvangen…?!” (“The Intercessory Prayer: Ask, Get, Give or Receive?! Pastoral-Theological Reflections”), in Tijdschrift voor Praktische Theologie 4 (2004), 428-433

1996 Dorris van Gaal and R. Onderstal, “‘Ik wil geen hemel vol met alleen maar vrouwen!’ Een interview met Mercy Amba Oduyoye” (“‘I Do Not See a Heaven Filled with Women Alone!’An Interview with Mercy Amba Oduyoye”), in Mara 10:1 (1996), 14-17

1994 “Hoe zou ik kunnen vergeven? – Het gelijk van Jona” (“How Could I Forgive? – Justifying Jonah”), in Speling 2 (1994), 28-34

Other Publications

1993 “Oud zijn in Afrika. Uit het bejaarde leven van Matthias Baniyeni en zijn vrouw” (“Growing old in Ghana: Matthias Baniyeni and his wife”), in Open Vensters 36:7 (1993), 8-9

GRANTS

2013 Catholic Studies Course Development Grant ($750), Loyola University , course developed: “Expressions of Divine Revelation in the Universal Church: Celebrating the Eucharist in Unity and Diversity”

CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION

Papers presented

2020 “Migration and the Mystical-theological tradition” at “Mystical Traditions: Approached to Peaceful Coexistence” – 2020 Sacred Texts and Human Contexts Conference, Rome, Italy, June 7-10, 2020 (Forthcoming Spring 2021 – Postponed amid COVID-19).

2019 “A Forgotten Mission in African Catholicism? Migration Experiences from the African Catholic Diaspora in the USA” at “What Must We Do to Perform the Works of God? (John 6:8)” – Pan-African Congress on Theology, Society, and Pastoral Life, Enugu, Nigeria, December 5-8, 2019 (December 7, 2019)

2018 “Stories of Transformation: African Immigrants to the US and the Dark Night of John of the Cross” at “The Church and Migration: Global (In)Difference?” – Twelfth International Gathering of the Ecclesiological Investigations International Research Network, Toronto, June 25-27, 2018 (June 27, 2018)

1990 “Dutch students and Christian Witnessing, two examples: The Campaign Against Shell in South Africa and Feminist Theology” at “The Impact of Christian Witnessing of Youth and Students of All Africa” - The fourth “All Africa Youth and Students Assembly of the All Africa Conference of Churches” and the “World Students Christian Federation” Conference, Kinshasa, Zaïre, August 12-21, 1990 (August 18, 1990)

Sessions moderated

2018 “Human Migration as Mission: Voices and Vision from African Catholicism” at “the Church and Migration: Global (In)Difference?” – Twelfth International Gathering of the Ecclesiological Investigations International Research Network, Toronto, June 25- 27, 2018 (June 26, 2018)

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Notre Dame of Maryland University Undergraduate Courses “Introduction to Religious Studies and Theology” (Spring & Fall 2020)

Loyola University Maryland Undergraduate Courses “World Christianity” (Spring 2008-2015, 2018) “Christian Ethics” (Spring 2016) “Introduction to Theology” (Fall 2007-2008, 2013-2014, 2020)

Loyola University Maryland Graduate Courses “Biblical Spirituality” (Summer 2007)

Course developed to teach “World Christianity” (for Loyola University Maryland)

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

2014- Qualitative research among African migrants to the USA in Baltimore, MD

1992 Training at Legon University and field research in Upper West Ghana (West- Africa)

1991 Field research in Ghana (West-Africa)

SERVICE TO UNIVERSITY

2007-2008 Organizer for focus groups and author of report with recommendations on enhancing attention to diversity for the Office of Campus Ministry, Loyola University Maryland

1990-1991 Student board member to the Departmental Board, Department of Theology, Catholic University of Nijmegen, Netherlands

1986-1990 Student-member of Department Council, Department of Theology, Catholic University of Nijmegen, Netherlands

1989-1990 Chair of Student Council, Department of Theology, Catholic University of Nijmegen, Netherlands

EXTRACURRICULAR UNIVERSITY SERVICE

2008 Supervisor for Koinonia (Small Faith Communities on Campus), Loyola University Maryland

2007-2008 Liaisons between “Chosen Generation,” Loyola University’s Gospel Choir, and the Office of Campus Ministry, Loyola University Maryland

1990-1994 Member of Society for Feminist Theology, Department of Theology, Catholic University, Nijmegen, Netherlands

1991-1992 Chair of Vrouwen Overleg (Women’s society), Department of Theology, Catholic University, Nijmegen, Netherlands.

RELATED PROFESSIONAL WORK

2014- Director of Faith Formation, North East Catholic Community Faith Formation Center operated by seven culturally diverse Roman Catholic parishes with large migrant communities in Northeast Baltimore, MD

2008-2013 Director of Faith Formation, Catholic Community of South Baltimore (Holy Cross, St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Our Lady of Good Counsel)

2005-2006 Pastoral Life Director, St. De Waalboog, Joachim & Anna Nursing Home, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

1998-2004 Pastoral Life Director with emphasis in intercultural outreach to Vietnamese community, R.C. Parish Lindenholt, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

1995-1998 Pastoral Life Director with emphasis in intercultural outreach to Surinam and Caribbean communities, R.C. Parish SS Johannes de Doper and Bernardus, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

1994-1995 Administrative Coordinator and Research Assistant, Centraal Missionair Beraad voor Religieuzen (Missionary Council of Religious Orders and Congregations)

LANGUAGES

Dutch: native language English: near native in speaking, reading, and writing French: excellent in speaking, reading, writing German: good in speaking, reading, and writing Greek (Koinè): reading Hebrew (biblical): reading Latin: reading

TEACHING AND RESEARCH INTERESTS

Migration Theology World Christianity o Theologies of Africa, Asia, and Latin America o Intercultural and Multi-cultural Expressions of Faith & Theology Missiology Spirituality of John of the Cross Biblical Spirituality

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS American Academy of Religion (2019-) Baltimore Association of Catechetical Ministers (2010-)

ECCLESIAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

2015-2019 Member of Mother’s Club at Institute of Notre Dame, Baltimore, MD

2008-2018 Volunteer, chaperone and tour coordinator (Europe Tour 2014) for the Maryland State Boychoir

2007-2017 Liturgical Minister and Religious Education Instructor, Corpus Christi Church, Baltimore, MD

2015 Facilitator for Ignatian Volunteer Corps Day Retreat, “On Being Universal… How the gravity shift in Christianity affects Faith and Church in 2015,” Baltimore, MD

2013 Retreat Planner and Facilitator for the Baltimore Association of Catechetical Ministers’ Leadership Counsel, Archdiocese of Baltimore, MD

2012-2013 Member of the board and Co-Chair of the spiritual committee, Middle and High School Mother’s Club, Baltimore, MD

2010-2012 Representative to National Conference for Catechetical Leadership for the Baltimore Association of Catechetical Ministers’ Leadership Council, Archdiocese of Baltimore, MD

2011 Instructor for the “Equip for Ministry Program,” Archdiocese of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD

2006-2009 Volunteer for Advocates for Survivors of Torture and Trauma, Baltimore, MD

1995-2007 Member of the Union for Pastoral Workers in The Netherlands

2006 Coordinator and Planner for liturgical catechesis of the Diocese of Breda, The Netherlands

1995-1998 Member and Participant of the I.S.K.B’s (Ecumenical Foundation for Churches and Migrants) Vrouwen Ontmoeting’s Project (Project of Intercultural/Inter- religious Women’s Encounter), Utrecht, The Netherlands

1994-1998 Member of the Committee on Inter-religious Encounter of the Dutch Council of Churches