School of Theology and Religious Studies

Final Examination of Duyoung Jung

For the Degree of Doctor of Ministry

September 10, 2009, 9:30 a.m. Caldwell Hall Room 125

Committee

Chair: Fr. John Beal, Secretary: Sr. Ann Patrick Conrard

Director: Rev. Charles G. Gravenstine

Readers: Lucinda A. Nolan, Charles B. Jones

Summary of Coursework

EDUC 537      Introductions to Family Counseling

TRS 632B       Social Action Ministry

TRS 664A       Theology of the Church

TRS 732F        Sex and Virtue

TRS 750A       Classics in Christian Spirituality I

TRS 752          Spirituality and Religion: Scientific Age

TRS 764B       The Church as Communion

TRS 769D       Two Contemporary Christologies

TRS 850A       D. Min Pastoral Supervision I

TRS 850B       D. Min Pastoral Supervision II

TRS 852          Pastoral Theology for D. Min Student

TRS 854A       Use of Small Group in Pastoral Ministry

TRS 997          Dissertation-Doctoral

TRS 997A       D. Min Project Guidance

TRS 998          Dissertation Defense

Abstract

“A Communication Enrichment Retreat for Catholic Korean- American Couples Employing the Trinitarian Mode of Communication”

Duyoung Jung

Director:  Rev. Charles G. Gravenstine, D.Min.

Good communication, as the ability to exchange precise meanings, leads couples to a deeper mutual understanding and works as the key to enhancing marital intimacy and satisfaction. Communication has been a fundamental issue, particularly for first generation Korean-American couples who have been challenged by the pressure of adapting to the new cultural situation of living in the United States. While still constrained by a strong tendency to maintain the Confucian paradigm of marital communication and thereby avoid dialogue, these couples have felt the growing need both for effective communication that deals with tensions and conflicts among themselves and for real dialogue that results in a healthier marriage.

The Trinitarian mode of marital communication, which is derived from the marriage analogy of the Trinity, could serve as a Catholic ideal of marital communication. As characterized by the triple interaction of silence, listening, and dialogue in conformity with God’s Trinitarian communion of love among God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, it will help Catholic Korean-American couples share their life and love together “in the Lord” at a deeper level and enhance mutual understanding and intimacy in the Second Vatican Council’s vision of marriage as “the intimate community of life and love.”

A Trinitarian Couple Communication that employs “reflection, validation, and empathy” and involves the perspective of silence, of listening, and of dialogue may function as a workable model for daily use to help couples reduce misunderstanding and unnecessary conflict and gain more satisfaction and intimacy in marital relationships.