The St. Bernard’s Course Catalog is a document of record issued every academic year containing information related to the courses offered throughout the curriculum. This document sets out the “beating heart” of the School: its mission to form and to educate takes place primarily in the classroom, in the midst of an encounter between faculty and students as they seek together ever greater knowledge and love of God. To view our 2023 - 2024 Course Catalog, click here.
The location of a course is designated below by one of two geographic areas, indicating the location from which the live course is taught. Students who are within commuting distance to that location are encouraged to attend class in person. All Catholic theology courses online can be accessed synchronously for those unable to attend in person or not in commuting distance. Live course times are listed in Eastern Standard Time (EST) and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Further details on distance learning can be found here.
Spring 2025 Courses
January 6th - April 25th, 2025
(Note: Add/drop deadline is January 31st)
ROC (Rochester Campus)
A203: New Testament (Matthew Ramage, Ph.D.)
New Testament will introduce students to the literature, history, and theology of the New Testament. It focuses on key books of the New Testament with a primary focus on Jesus of Nazareth, the four canonical gospels, and the development of early Christianity.
3 credits | Online
Every other Wednesday, 6:30 — 9:30pm EST, 1/15, 1/29, 2/12, 2/26, 3/12, 3/26, 4/9, 4/23
A327: Biblical Wisdom Literature (Matthew Ramage, Ph.D.)
An exploration of the search for wisdom in classical biblical wisdom literature, with an emphasis on such topics as the quest for meaning, happiness, and coping with unanswered questions. This exploration will be compared with contemporary searches as revealed through human experience, life’s tasks, joys, and disappointments, and, above all, in the human search for God. The course will include a treatment of the psalms, the classic prayers in the Bible and Jewish/Christian prayer life.
3 credits | Online
Every other Wednesday, 6:30pm — 9:30pm EST, 1/8, 1/22, 2/5, 2/19, 3/5, 3/19, 4/2
B/C310: Catholic Social Teaching (Michael Sauter, MATS)
This course examines the development of Catholic Social Teaching from an historical and theological perspective. Students will become familiar with the numerous social documents of the Church, beginning with Rerum Novarum. The content and implications of these documents will be discussed and evaluated. The life and work of Dorothy Day and other key figures in the area of Catholic social teaching will be offered as examples of how we can integrate social teaching into our ministries and spirituality.
3 credits | ROC and Online
Every other Wednesday, 6:00pm — 9:00pm EST, 1/15, 1/29, 2/12, 2/26, 3/12, 3/26, 4/9, 4/23
B/C470: Secularism and the Relevance of Belief (Marco Stango, Ph.D.)
“Secularism” is the epochal phenomenon that has determined over the past centuries a progressive emancipation of society and culture from the centrality of religion in general and Christianity in particular. While some tend to interpret secularism as a merely political phenomenon, this course explores the genesis, development, and nature of secularism understood as a broader spiritual attitude of the West, born in modern times and still shaping our minds today. More precisely, the course puts to test the interpretative thesis that the process of secularization of the West began when the Christian experience could not be perceived any longer as the “concrete universal” of Europe. In engaging contemporary theorists of secularization, the course will focus upon Charles Taylor’s A Secular Age and related texts.
3 credits | Online
Every other Tuesday, 6:00pm — 9:00pm EST, 1/7, 1/21, 2/4, 2/18, 3/4, 3/18, 4/1, 4/15
B301: The Gift of Meaning: The History of the Church (Lisa Lickona, S.T.L.; Matthew Kuhner, Ph.D.)
“All those in history who have really done anything with the future have had their eyes fixed upon the past” (G.K. Chesterton). This course will provide a survey of Church history, tracking the Church of God across time and space from Pentecost to our present day. The course content will privilege a theological approach to history: it will investigate the historical unfolding of the Church’s doctrines, charisms, and spiritualities, and will assess the temporal development of the institutional Church. The investigations undertaken will be accompanied by a determined effort to learn from history for the sake of the present.
3 credits | ROC and Online
Every other Tuesday, 6:00pm — 9:00pm EST, 1/7, 1/21, 2/4, 2/18, 3/4, 3/18, 4/1, 4/15
C/D334: Catholic Bioethics at the End of Life (Peter Colosi, Ph.D.)
This course examines a range of issues and controversies, from the determination of death itself, to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, advance directives, hospice and palliative care options, organ donation, extra/ordinary care, and artificial nutrition and hydration. Topics are grounded in a broader discussion of Church views on suffering and death. Additional cutting-edge bioethical issues such as gender dysphoria, artificial wombs, CRISPR gene editing, and COVID-related ethics, are considered, alongside classic landmark ethical cases, and helpful narratives from the rich history of Catholic health care. Secular bioethical frameworks and arguments are examined. Issues are considered in a highly practical light, with emphasis given to real-world applications in pastoral, academic, and health care settings.
3 credits | Online
Tuesdays, 6:30pm — 8:30pm EST, 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/22
C/D398: Catechesis and the New Evangelization: Content, Method, and Challenges (Matthew Kuhner, Ph.D.)
In Catechesi Tradende, Pope St. John Paul II contends that “the definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ...” (§5). Taking this statement as a point of departure, this course explores the nature, content, and method of catechesis. It does so in the context of the call for a New Evangelization, which proposes a renewed emphasis on the Church’s missionary nature and the mission-character of discipleship itself. After addressing the history of catechesis and its sources in Scripture and Tradition, the course will focus upon the Church’s penetrating reflection on catechesis in the 20th and 21st centuries. Attention will be given to present-day challenges, as well as recent catechetical models which attempt to address these challenges. The general aim of the course is to answer two fundamental questions: (1) “what is catechesis?” and (2) “how can catechesis bear fruit in our age?"
3 credits | ROC and Online
Every other Tuesday, 6:00pm — 9:00pm EST, 1/14, 1/28, 2/11, 2/25, 3/11, 3/25, 4/8, 4/22
C215: Introduction to Theological Studies (Lisa Lickona, S.T.L.)
This course orients students to the various aspects of Catholic theological studies and the way Catholic theology functions in the faith community. Key issues such as faith, revelation, scripture, tradition, the magisterium, and theological method are explored with an eye to how they are integrated into the entire discipline of theology. The course aims at helping to develop a framework in which to understand how one engages in theological reflection. Specific theological terms will be defined and discussed. (Formerly "Orientation to Theological Studies")
3 credits | ROC and Online
Every other Thursday, 6:00pm — 9:00pm EST, 1/16, 1/30, 2/13, 2/27, 3/13, 3/27, 4/10, 4/24
C216: Grace, Nature, and Christian Anthropology (Lisa Lickona, S.T.L.)
This course will examine Christian Anthropology through the lens of the relationship between nature and grace. Main themes considered include predestination (of Jesus Christ, and of humanity in Jesus Christ), human nature in relation to grace, the meaning of the person, original sin, and justification.
3 credits | ROC and Online
Mondays, 6:30pm — 8:30pm EST, 1/6, 1/13, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14
C228: Ecclesiology and the Theology of Ministry (Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.)
A historical and theological overview of the Christian understanding of ecclesiology and ministry, with the Second Vatican Council as a primary point of reference. Topics include: the foundations of ecclesiology and ministry in the New Testament, the expressions of ecclesiology and ministry in the history of the Church, Apostolic succession, the nature of and relationship between the hierarchy and the laity, the local and the universal Church, and the Church and the world. Ecumenical engagement will also be addressed through the course. (Formerly "Theology of Church and Ministry")
3 credits | Online
Mondays, 6:30pm — 9:30pm EST, 1/13, 1/27, 2/10, 2/24, 3/10, 3/24, 4/7, 4/21
CP605: Beyond Deception: Logic and the Freedom of the Mind (Stephen Loughlin, Ph.D.)
An examination of the three activities that define reason (Understanding, Judgment, and Discursive Reasoning), and the development and practice of the techniques that perfect them (definition, the judgment of truth and falsity, the manipulation of propositions, and the formation of a sound argument). The course considers the defects that commonly affect sound reasoning (fallacies), the distinction between sound and cogent reasoning (deductive vs. inductive reasoning) and the criteria that govern the difference between the two, and lastly what constitutes Normative Persuasion Dialogue and how such is to be distinguished from other speech acts.
3 credits | ROC and Online
Wednesdays, 6:00pm — 8:00pm EST, 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/23
CP612: History of Philosophy: Medieval (Marco Stango, Ph.D.)
A survey course beginning with St. Augustine, through the rise of Scholasticism, and to its end. Emphasis is placed upon the thought of St. Augustine, Boethius, St. Anselm, St. Bonaventure, St. Thomas Aquinas, John Duns Scotus, and William of Ockham. The relations between faith and reason, and metaphysical, anthropological, and ethical teachings will be emphasized as they develop the thought received from the ancient Greek philosophers and prepare the way for the rise of modern philosophy.
3 credits | Online
Every other Tuesday, 6:00pm — 9:00pm EST, 1/14, 1/28, 2/11, 2/25, 3/11, 3/25, 4/8, 4/22
CP671: Classic Texts in Catholic Philosophy (Marco Stango, Ph.D.)
This course introduces the students to a close reading of a classic work from the Catholic philosophical tradition. For this reason, the works that may be studied include texts from the ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary age. According to the model presented in Fides et Ratio by St. Pope John Paul II, “faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth.” The classics of philosophy selected for this course are examples of the attitude described in the encyclical letter, either because they present an understanding of reason that is open to faith, or because they present in an exemplary way the modality in which philosophical reason works once informed by faith. This course is the capstone course for the Master of Arts in Catholic Philosophy.
3 credits | Online
Thursdays, 6:00pm — 9:00pm EST, 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3/, 4/10, 4/24
D207: Canon Law and Ministerial Leadership (Rev. Aaron Kelly, J.C.L.)
An introduction to Canon Law, especially as applicable to parish ministry. A particular focus will be given to the canon law of marriage. In addition to a brief summary of the history and development of Canon Law, and a brief survey of the structure of the Roman Curia, an overview will be given according to the organization of the 1983 Code of Canon Law:
I. General Norms (canons 1–203)
II. The People of God (canons 204–755)
III. The Teaching Function of the Church (canons 756–833)
IV. The Sanctifying Function of the Church (canons 834–1258)
V. The Temporal Goods of the Church (canons 1259–1310)
VI. Sanctions in the Church (canons 1311–1399)
VII. Processes (canons 1400–1752)
3 credits | ROC and Online
Every other Thursday, 6:00pm — 9:00pm EST, 1/16, 1/30, 2/13, 2/27, 3/13, 3/27, 4/10, 4/24
D218: Issues in Pastoral Care (Jessica Cole, D.Min.)
This course examines a variety of issues surrounding pastoral care and ministry in the parish. We will explore stages of faith development, OCIA, ministering to Gen Z, family ministry, Eucharistic affiliation, death and dying, and the current USCCB Strategic Initiatives. The course focuses on practical application of pastoral theology in ministry
3 credits | Online
Every other Tuesday, 6:30pm — 9:30pm EST, 1/7, 1/21, 2/4, 2/18, 3/4, 3/18, 4/1, 4/15
Fall 2024 Courses
August 26th - December 13th, 2024
Application deadline for Fall is August 16th; add/drop deadline is September 6th.
BUF (Buffalo Campus) | ROC (Rochester Campus)
A/C392: The Book of Revelation and the Catholic Eschatological Imagination (Rev. David Tedesche, S.T.L.)
This course centers on a close reading of the final book of the Bible, the book of Revelation. We will be reading Revelation, however, not only in terms of contemporary biblical scholarship and its exploration of the Old Testament inspiration and first-century Christian context of Revelation, but also in terms of Revelation’s historical reception. How did authors from the patristic, medieval, and early modern periods read and interpret Revelation? What is chiliasm or millenarianism? What did it mean for ancient Christians that Rome was thought to be the final kingdom? What about the legend of the ‘Last Emperor’? How important is the medieval figure of Joachim of Fiore? In what way does the classic protestant idea of the papal antichrist find its origins among medieval groups of Franciscans? What about the so-called ‘viri spirituali’ and the idea of the ‘Pastor angelicus’? How important to medieval thought was the hope that one day, before the Second Advent, the Jewish people as a whole would convert to Christ? By studying such questions in light of the history of the interpretation of Revelation, we will be exploring the Catholic eschatological imagination. What does this imaginative vision communicate to us today about our place in the drama of salvation history, the importance of the Second Vatican Council, the relationship between Church and state, war and peace issues, and the Catholic spiritual and social vision more generally?
3 credits | ROC and Online
Every other Friday, 6:00 — 9:00pm EDT, August 30th, September 13th, September 27th, October 11th, October 25th, November 8th, November 22nd, December 6th
A202: Introduction to the Old Testament (Matthew Ramage, Ph.D.)
Introduction to the Old Testament introduces exegetical methodology and theology of the Old Testament. Students will consider the fruits and the assumptions of exegesis, using and examining its methodologies both as helpful tools and as products of a particular era. Hebrew poetry and narrative, ritual and ethical instruction, prophecy, historiography, and novella will be analyzed as literature, and students will also examine the development of traditions within the texts of the canon. Since Sacred Scripture is double-authored, by both man and God, and interpreted in the context of the Catholic Church, A202 will also emphasize the theology of the Old Testament, with a special focus on the People of God, and will read spiritual readings of the Old Testament from the Church Fathers to present.
3 credits | Online
Every other Wednesday, 6:30 — 9:30pm EDT, September 4th, September 18th, October 2nd, October 16th, October 30th, November 13th, December 4th, December 11th
B/C490: Political Engagement as a Catholic: Principles, Sources, and Historical Engagements (Matthew Kuhner, Ph.D.; Taylor O'Neill, Ph.D.)
When discussing political authorities, St. Paul famously wrote that “there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1). Some decades later, Pope St. Clement of Rome prayed for political authorities, so that they “may exercise without offense the sovereignty that you, Lord, have given them” (Ad Cor, 61). These passages reveal the Church’s concern for the political realm since the beginning; this concern has unfolded over the past two millennia through consistency of principle and with the dynamism of development. This course attempts to unfold the Church’s vision of political authority, the nature and demands of the political community, and the responsibility of the Catholic vis-à-vis political action. In order to provide a systematic and synthetic response, the course will consider principles elucidated by the Magisterium, sources in Scripture and Tradition, and historical examples of Catholic participation in political life. The question of Catholic political responsibility today will be discussed throughout, with particular attention given to the tradition of political Liberalism as practiced in America and the major political crises of the 20th century (Communism and Fascism).
3 credits | ROC and Online
Every other Tuesday, 6:00 — 9:00pm EDT, September 3rd, September 17th, October 1st, October 15th, October 29th, November 12th, November 26th, December 10th
B/D340: Twentieth-Century Holiness (Lisa Lickona, S.T.L.)
In the twentieth century, the world experienced two World Wars, the Holocaust, the dropping of the atomic bomb, ongoing regional conflicts and genocide, and an emerging environmental crisis. Pope Benedict XVI aptly observed that we have been living through the “Holy Saturday” of history — a time in which God’s voice is apparently silent and His Son has disappeared into the realm of the dead. Yet, in this apparent absence, a Presence remains: God makes Himself known in the flesh of His saints. This course seeks to understand the twentieth century through their lives and writing. Miguel Pro, Dorothy Day, Franz Jaegerstaetter, Edith Stein, Maximilian Kolbe, Takashi Nagai, John Paul II, and Henri de Lubac will be among the figures who will lead us through the course. Along the way, we will deepen our understanding of how God works in time and the circumstances of life — no matter how awful — to draw us to Himself.
3 credits | ROC and Online
Mondays, 6:30 — 8:30pm EDT, August 26th, September 9th, September 16th, September 23rd, September 30th, October 7th, October 14th, October 21st, October 28th, November 4th, November 11th, November 18th, November 25th, December 2nd, December 9th
C/D202: The Revelation of God: Doctrine, Liturgy, and Sacraments (Catechism 1 and 2)
This course introduces us to those teachings that are central to the Catholic Faith as guided by Part One of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “The Profession of Faith” §§1-1065, and to the liturgical practices and sacraments of the Catholic Faith as guided by Part Two of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “The Celebration of the Christian Mystery” §§1066-1690.
3 credits | Online
C/D333: Catholic Bioethics at the Beginning of Life (Jean Baric Parker, D.Be.)
This course concentrates on bioethical topics and ethical principles that are most relevant at the beginning of human life. It commences with a biological examination of the beginnings of embryonic life, leading to an in-depth discussion of abortion, artificial contraception, natural family planning, NaPRO Technology, in vitro fertilization, gamete donation, surrogate pregnancy, fetal research, and other related topics. All topics are grounded in a discussion of the history of Catholic health care and fundamental Church teaching on natural law, human status, the human act, conscience, theology of the body, and the common good. Common secular arguments opposed to Church teaching in these areas are critiqued. All issues are considered in a highly practical light, with emphasis on real-life applications in pastoral, academic, and health care settings. This course will benefit health care professionals, clergy, chaplains, pastoral workers, life science researchers, ethics committee members, and ‘Catholics in the pew’ who are interested in learning more about applying Catholic bioethical principles to real life situations that they and their loved ones routinely encounter.
3 credits | ROC and Online
Tuesdays, 6:30 — 8:30pm EDT, August 27th, September 3rd, September 10th, September 17th, September 24th, October 1st, October 8th, October 15th, October 22nd, October 29th, November 5th, November 12th, November 19th, November 26th, December 3rd, December 10th
C217: Fundamental Moral Theology (John Meinert, Ph.D.)
This course introduces the field of moral theology. Students will contemplate the purpose of moral theology in the life of the Church, its methods, and the problems it addresses. Topics will include happiness, action theory, sin, conversion, vice and virtue, and methods of moral decision making.
3 credits | Online
Every other Tuesday, 6:00 — 9:00pm EDT, August 27th, September 10th, September 24th, October 8th, October 22nd, November 5th, November 19th, December 3rd
C226: Liturgical and Sacramental Theology (Rev. Peter Van Lieshout, S.T.L.)
An historical, anthropological and theological investigation of Christian worship and sacrament with special attention to the Roman Catholic Sacraments of baptism and Eucharist; historical overview of liturgical practices, texts, and theology from Jewish and scriptural origins to the 20th-century reforms of the Second Vatican Council; basic principles of liturgical and sacramental theology; and groundwork for interpreting liturgical documents and ritual texts from pastoral practice, multi/inter-cultural concerns, and ecumenical considerations. (Formerly “Worship and Sacraments”)
3 credits | ROC and Online
Every other Monday, 6:00 — 9:00pm EDT, August 26th, September 9th, September 23rd, October 7th, October 21st, November 4th, November 18th, December 2nd
C302: Christology and Trinitarian Theology (Rev. Anthony Barratt, S.T.L., Ph.D.)
This course treats the biblical, historical, and dogmatic dimensions of Christology and Trinitarian theology. It aims to treat the person and mission of Jesus Christ showing the mutual illumination and inseparability of anthropology and Christology, as well the unfolding of Trinitarian theology from the revelation of God fulfilled and completed in Christ. Central to the course will be an in-depth reflection on the statement of Gaudium et spes 22: “(…) Only in the mystery of the incarnate Word does the mystery of man take on light (…) Christ, the final Adam, by the revelation of the mystery of the Father and His love, fully reveals man to man himself and makes his supreme calling clear”. The course will thereby introduce students to an understanding of Jesus Christ as a union of two natures in one divine person, and the One Triune God as a communion of three persons in one divine nature.
3 credits | Online
Every other Wednesday, 6:00 — 9:00pm EDT, August 28th, September 11th, September 25th, October 9th, October 23rd, November 6th, November 20th, December 4th
CP421: Contemplation and the Other Shapes of Happiness (Marco Stango, Ph.D.)
When we hear the word “life” today, we are almost inevitably lead to think of two things. On the one hand, we understand life as that messy total sum of activities, experiences, obstacles, and opportunities we all go through. On the other hand, we think of the subject of study of the natural sciences, especially biology. Almost nobody, however, would think of life as, chiefly, contemplation. The reason is that the idea of contemplation often seems to point to something too abstract, too stiff, and too arid to express the vast richness, tumultuous mutability, and flesh-and-blood drama which are essential to life. Plato, Aristotle, and St Thomas Aquinas, while stressing each in his own way the importance of the active life and the virtues that shape it, still believe that contemplation is the center of gravity of a human life. The aim of this course is to explore the problem of what makes a human life good and happy by paying particular attention to the relation between the active and the contemplative. The course will mainly focus on some texts from Plato, Aristotle, and St Thomas Aquinas, but will also explore concomitantly texts from other thinkers.
3 credits | Online
Every other Thursday, 6:00 — 9:00pm EDT, August 29th, September 12th, September 26th, October 10th, October 24th, November 7th, November 21st, December 5th
CP601: Introduction to Catholic Philosophy (Stephen Loughlin, Ph.D.)
This course centers the student upon the discipline of philosophy as it has been developed and practiced within the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. The methods particular to philosophical investigation will be examined as the philosopher seeks to articulate the nature of wisdom, how it can be attained, and especially incorporated into the entirety of one’s life. The student will understand the differences between philosophy, the sciences, and theology, as well as their respective complementarities, with a focus upon the supportive and illuminative role that philosophy plays in theological education.
3 credits | ROC and Online
Wednesdays, 6:00 — 8:00pm EDT, August 28th, September 4th, September 11th, September 18th, September 25th, October 2nd, October 9th, October 16th, October 23rd, October 30th, November 6th, November 13th, November 20th, December 4th, December 11th
CP611: Our Search for Meaning: The Beginning of the Greatest Conversation (Ancient Philosophy) (Marco Stango, Ph.D.)
A survey course from the beginning of philosophy with the pre-Socratics, through Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, and ending with the Cynics, Skeptics, Epicureans, Stoics, and Neoplatonism. In particular, those problems posed by Heraclitus, Parmenides, Socrates, and Plato that are important to the philosophical tradition will be considered, Aristotle’s philosophy will be surveyed as a whole, and the themes that are central to post-Aristotelian philosophy will be examined.
3 credits | Online
Every other Tuesday, 6:00 — 9:00pm EDT, August 27th, September 10th, September 24th, October 8th, October 22nd, November 5th, November 19th, December 3rd
CP631: Metaphysics (Marco Stango, Ph.D.)
This course examines the basic concerns and principles that undergird the whole of reality and guide the way by which we think of the ultimate things to which the mind can aspire: existence, essence, the categories of being, the transcendentals, the analogy of being, and the existence and creative activity of God. This course acts as a capstone study to the whole of philosophy and is preferably engaged upon at the end of one’s certificate/degree studies.
3 credits | Online
Every other Tuesday, 6:00 — 9:00pm EDT, September 3rd, September 17th, October 1st, October 15th, October 29th, November 12th, November 26th, December 10th
D211: Discernment and Formation for Ministry (Lisa Lickona, S.T.L.)
This course is an introduction to formation for diaconal ministry. The first half of the course is an exploration of the historical development of and the theological basis for the diaconate. Special attention will be given to the unity and relation of the four dimensions of formation and the deacon in his state in life (either marriage or celibacy). The second half of the course will focus on the integration of the spiritual and human dimensions of formation through attention to one’s lived encounter with God in and through the daily circumstances of life. To aid one in this pursuit of holiness through life — which is to “seek God in all things” — key aspects of Ignatian spirituality will be explored, including the importance of spiritual accompaniment, the function of spiritual direction, the basic principles of discernment of spirits, and the practice of the daily examen.
3 credits | ROC and Online
Every other Wednesday, 6:00 — 9:00pm EDT, September 4th, September 18th, October 2nd, October 16th, October 30th, November 13th, December 4th, December 11th
D214: Spiritual Formation (Lisa Lickona, S.T.L.)
This course seeks to approach the world of prayer in its unity with lived experience. Beginning with a consideration of the witness of the Son of God who “teaches us how to pray” in and through His relationship to the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, we will then move to consider the lives of various saints, including Ignatius of Antioch, Anthony of the Desert, Benedict of Nursia, Bernard of Clairvaux, Teresa of Avila, Ignatius of Loyola, Francis de Sales, Therese of Lisieux, Charles de Foucauld, Teresa of Calcutta, and Tagashi Nagai. The attention to each figure will include both an awareness of their place in the history of Catholic spirituality and a consideration of their contribution to the life of prayer. Asynchronous lectures will focus on particular topics in the “practicum” of prayer, including spiritual direction, prayer to Mary, lectio divina, and Ignatian meditation/contemplation.
3 credits | ROC and Online
Every other Thursday, 6:00 — 9:00pm EDT, August 29th, September 12th, September 26th, October 10th, October 24th, November 7th, November 21st, December 5th
D215: Introduction to Pastoral Theology (Jessica Cole, D.Min.)
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the nature and function of pastoral theology. The discipline of pastoral theology is the practical application of theological study to ministry and practice. Through basic pastoral skills, best practices, self-reflection, as well as case studies, we will engage in theological reflection on the act of ministry, ever mindful of how to best communicate and encourage people to come into or deepen their relationship with Christ and his Church.
3 credits | Online
Every other Tuesday, 6:30 — 9:30pm EDT, September 3rd, September 17th, October 1st, October 15th, October 29th, November 12th, November 26th, December 10th
W500: Academic Research and Writing
This course is intended for students who have never written or have been long removed from the task of writing a research paper. It will focus on research methods and techniques with an emphasis on: selecting a topic, identifying sources, as well as writing and grammar principles and style. Students will be afforded guidance and suggestions on how to compose a research document written on a scholarly level. Students will also receive helpful information for constructing theological questions and arguments.
1 credit | ROC and Online
