Former resident, Ed Kendrick, came ‘home’ to the Assumptionist Center in Brighton this past summer while visiting friends in the Boston area. Originally from Utah, where he grew up, Ed calls Washington State his home.

Sharing his background in a recent conversation, he recalled his undergraduate degree experience at the University of Portland in Oregon where he met the Holy Cross Fathers and majored in theology with minors in history, math and English literature. As a convert from Mormonism, Ed wanted to do graduate work in theology and literature. It was a professor and friend at the University of Oregon who recommended Boston College as a possible site for further studies.

Deciding upon Boston College, Ed contacted parishes in the area in search of a residence, including St. Columbkille’s in Brighton, where it was suggested that he contact the Assumptionist Center. As they say, ‘the rest is history.’ When asked about his experience as a resident at the center during his years of study, Ed stated with great enthusiasm that “…it was the living in community, the sharing of friendships and stories, especially at dinner, that I remember most with so much gratitude.” It was during this time that Ed earned his Master’s in Theology.

While living at the center, Ed met another resident who had worked in Korea. This piqued his interest and led him to explore the possibility of teaching English there upon graduation from Boston College. Now, two years later, Ed shares his venture of working in a country which has few Christians and is mostly culturally Confucius, with Buddhists and Presbyterians.

What was most significant for Ed, as an ESL teacher for grades k-10, was the importance of storytelling as the vehicle for instruction.  For it was through stories that he made ‘connections’ with his students. His story became part of their story and vice versa. Furthermore, Ed connected his students with pen pals in the United States and creatively used this means as a way to encourage dialogue and broaden their world view of life.

Now home in the United States for 4-6 months at least, before deciding upon his next venture, Ed is pursuing his license to become a certified high school English teacher. Then…Korea might be calling him back to Asia.

During this time at home, Ed wants to take advantage of the opportunities to rest, reflect and read. He also plans to reconnect with family and friends in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Massachusetts and Louisiana where his parents live and where his two sisters attend Louisiana State University.

We wish Ed the best and hope that he will visit the center again in the future!