A retreat fueled Creighton theologian’s love of faith, liturgy and Ignatian spirituality

As a theologian, liturgist, teacher, writer, spiritual director, pastoral minister and musician, Dr. Eileen C. Burke-Sullivan had numerous talents, degrees and titles.

They were all driven by one thing, though: a deep religious stirring that began in childhood and was brought into focus by a 30-day religious retreat.

The retreat, called the “Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola,” was a turning point in her life, according to a written memorial, and guided her into a life of service for the Church, including her roles as a professor and vice president of Mission and Ministry at Creighton University and as director of the Office of Worship for the Archdiocese of Omaha.

Burke-Sullivan died Nov. 30 after a lengthy illness. She was 75.

An evening prayer service was held Dec. 6 at St. John Church on the Creighton campus, followed by a funeral Mass there on Dec. 7.

Jesuit Father Daniel S. Hendrickson, president of Creighton University, was among those mourning her death.

“As we grieve alongside her family and loved ones, we also celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy she leaves behind,” Father Hendrickson said in a written statement. “Her tenure was marked by a commitment to cura apostolica (care for the organization) as well as cura personalis (care for the whole person), which are hallmarks of Jesuit leadership.”

He noted Burke-Sullivan’s service to Creighton and said, “On a personal level, Dr. Burke-Sullivan was a trusted advisor and cherished friend to me and many others. Her guidance, generosity, and commitment to our shared mission touched the lives of students, colleagues, and friends and will continue to inspire us all.”

Burke-Sullivan was the fifth of 10 children born into the family of M. Joseph Burke and Mary Josephine (Sirridge) Burke of Casper, Wyoming.

She majored in theology and music at St. Mary College in Leavenworth, Kansas, graduating in 1971. She entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Charity in Leavenworth but discerned not to continue before taking vows.

Later, in 1984, Burke-Sullivan completed a master’s degree in Christian spirituality from Creighton. In 2000, she earned a licentiate at Weston Jesuit School of Theology at Boston College, followed by a doctorate there in 2003.

While she learned, she taught. Burke-Sullivan started at Creighton in 1984, teaching graduate-level theology courses while earning her master’s degree.

She became a full-time faculty member there in 2003. She was a pastoral minister in parishes and dioceses in Massachusetts, Wyoming, Texas and Nebraska along the way.

In 1982, she married Michael J. Sullivan. The couple moved about as Burke-Sullivan’s theological studies advanced.

Although she left a formal religious community, her life was characterized by her love of faith and liturgy. The 30-day Ignatian retreat fed that fire.

Guided by the rules for discernment in the Spiritual Exercises, Burke-Sullivan moved beyond conventional careers for women at the time, according to the written tribute. She became the first diocesan director of the Office of Liturgy and Worship in her home diocese of Cheyenne, Wyoming, followed by similar roles at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Omaha and the Archdiocese of Omaha.

She eventually became director of the National Christian Life Community movement.

Burke-Sullivan wrote numerous articles about Ignatian spirituality and co-wrote books with her brother, Jesuit Father Kevin Burke, and with Creighton colleagues.

At the time of her death, she had just completed her work as general editor of a forth-coming “Volume II of The Jesuit Spirituality Reader.”

Burke-Sullivan served as a retreat and spiritual director, a leader of Ignatian pilgrimages and a champion of ecumenical dialogue. With a trained soprano voice, she also connected people with God through her singing.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and four brothers: Lawrence, Daniel, James and Michael Burke.

Survivors include two sisters, Maureen Emrich of Castle Rock, Colorado, and Anne Burke Bell (Christopher Bell) of Denver; three brothers, Father Burke of Denver, Dr. Thomas Burke (Dr. Mary Frances Burke) of Casper and Brian (Jean Burke) of Denver; sisters-in-law Carolyn Gregor Burke of Casper and Patricia Burke of Spirit Lake, Iowa; many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; cousins; and other family members.