Graduate Certificate in Catechetical Leadership

Graduate Certificate in Catechetical Leadership (GCCL)

“[M]inistries - such as catechists, directors of prayer and chant, Christians devoted to the service of God's Word or to assisting their brethren in need, the heads of small communities, or other persons charged with the responsibility of apostolic movements- these ministries are valuable for the establishment, life, and growth of the Church, and for her capacity to influence her surroundings and to reach those who are remote from her” - Pope St. Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 73

At the heart of St. Bernard’s exists the desire to form those discerning ministry – being Christ’s hands and feet to those around them. This certificate program provides a basic introduction to the tenets of the faith and ways to discern calls to ministry. It is comprised of five courses (15 credit hours), with the option to include one elective. These courses are available online either synchronously (in real time when the courses occur) or asynchronously (at a later time that works best for you).

The required courses are:

• C/D398 Catechesis and the New Evangelization: Content, Method, and Challenges
• CT671 The Revelation of God: Scripture, Tradition, Creed (Catechism 1 and 2)
• The Drama of Life in Christ: Action, Contemplation, Communion (Catechism 3 and 4)
• C319 Speaking the Truth in Love: Introduction to Apologetics
  • An approved elective from the following:
    • C/D365 - Theology of the Body: Sexuality and the Sacred
    • D217 - Pastoral Care
    • C/D332 - Catholic Bioethics: A Matter of Life and Death
    • C/D329 - The Gospel of Life: Life Issues and Contemporary Challenges
    • A205- Introduction to Catholic Biblical Studies

If for some reason any of these courses are not offered in a given semester, the Certificate Program Director will be in touch with you to work on a course substitution. Details on pricing can be found here.