CAT - Catechetics Course Descriptions
Will provide foundational material for further work in catechetics and evangelization. Based on key catechetical documents, this course will help students to understand the identity and role of the catechist, together with the basic content and methodology of catechesis in the service of the Church’s ministry of evangelization. A particular focus of this course is the spiritual life of the catechist, including a study of Part IV of the Catechism, on prayer. This course will also analyzes the role of the catechist in relation to the universal Church and the local parish through a detailed study of Christifidelis Laici. Finally, this course willgive an overview of topics and challenges pertinent to professional catechetical ministry. Students will be provided with opportunities to formally address the class.
Is a course that teaches students how to always present doctrine in reference to the love that never ends." Students will study basic speech communication skills, discover ways to make Scripture "come alive, and be given many opportunities to give catechetical presentations. This class is also an excellent opportunity for students who struggle with speaking anxiety. The course is graded as Pass/Fail.
For CAT majors only.
Is designed to introduce students to American Sign Language. The students will develop a basic sign language vocabulary, with the ability to form simple sentences, as well as common phrases and some idioms. They will also learn about the characteristics of the deaf community in the United States.
Is a continuation of Introduction to Sign Language I. The students will add to their sign vocabulary, progressing to storytelling. In addition, students will receive an introduction to American Sign Language grammar. They will also gain a deeper knowledge of the deaf community.
This course will provide a survey of the history, methods, content and contemporary practice of handing on the faith, inspired by God’s pedagogy of revelation and the response of faith, for the purpose of familiarizing future catechists with the mind of the Church concerning catechesis. Essential catechetical documents of the Church will be studied for the purpose of providing an understanding of the nature and scope of catechetics while establishing a basis for further catechetical study. An introduction to catechetical methodology will include certain post-Conciliar methodologies that interfere with the delivery of the Deposit of Faith and the conversion of those being catechized. Typical deficiencies in catechetical materials will be discussed. Finally, the content of catechesis will be addressed by introducing the technique of analyzing doctrine for effective delivery. Thus the content will be studied as well as its application.
Pre/Co-requisite:
CAT 120. For CAT majors only.
Introduction to Music Ministry examines both theoretical and practical applications for music ministry within the Catholic Church, in both liturgical and non-liturgical environments. This course exposes the student to a wide variety of experts in the field of Catholic music ministry. Numerous musical genres will be studied so that a student may learn to draw from the richness of the Catholic musical tradition as well as incorporate contemporary expressions of Christian praise and worship. It will also address basic music fundamentals necessary to be effective in music ministry.
Will address the content of catechesis, the Deposit of Faith, especially as presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It will explore magisterial guidance on the characteristics of the content, its integrity, organic unity, and the need for its systematic delivery. Kerygmatic catechesis will be presented as the delivery system for doctrine. The right ordering of catechetical material will be presented and exercise in the development of curricula for a variety of catechetical ministries such as Catholic schools, youth ministry, Christian initiation, and others will be provided. Finally, the process of analyzing doctrine for the purpose of delivering it more effectively will be explained and demonstrated for various individual doctrines.
Teaches students to see how Catholic doctrine is driven by Scripture, and how to effectively use the Bible in catechesis. Students will get a catechetical overview of Scripture and be challenged to come up with creative ways to use Scripture in different catechetical settings.
Will offer a deeper understanding of the content, method, and inculturation of evangelization and catechesis through the lives of the saints who spent their lives engaged in handing on the faith. By examining these saints within the context of the 2000 year history of the Church, the students will gain a more profound understanding of the richness of the catechetical endeavor and come to know these catechetical saints as models of holiness.
Will examine the catechumenal model as the paradigm for all catechesis, and the way in which the stages of evangelization correspond to and are informed by the periods of the RCIA process. Students will come to understandthe pedagogy of God according to its pastoral, catechetical, and liturgical dimensions. The nature and means of conversion will be analyzed in light ofthe initiation sacraments in general and the explicit desire for baptism in particular. Finally, the course will explore the restoration of the catechumenate in the Second Vatican Council in light of the twentieth century catechetical renewal and the ancient catechumenate.
Has a two-fold objective. First, the course explains the four-fold framework for teaching Scripture to conversion and biblical catechesis: 1) A Theology of Revelation, the horizontal foundation; 2) A Divine Pedagogy of Salvation History, one side of the framework rising out of the foundations; 3) The Interpretation of the Senses of Scripture, the other vertical side of the framework; 4) Theologia (Mystery) and Oikonomia (Story) the capstone of the framework, the narratio" of biblical salvation history. Second, the course teaches the skills for teaching to conversion and biblical catechesis and exercises the student in these skills."
This course will examine the origins, content and implications of the new evangelization based on Scripture, the Second Vatican Council, post-conciliar ecclesiastical documents, and contemporary theological commentaries. The pastoral dimensions of the new evangelization will be analyzed with a particular emphasis on the pedagogy of God, the process and limits of inculturation, the central role of the family, and the ‘new movements’ that buttress and support parish life. Students will focus on the spiritual life as the essential basis for proclaiming the Gospel with new ardor, methods, and expression. Finally, students will review the obstacles of the new evangelization, including universalism, various forms of relativism, and the false dichotomy between faith and reason.
Will explore the dynamics of the Church’s mission of evangelization, particularly as it applies to every baptized Catholic on the personal level and to every Catholic parish in the lived expression of its community life. Students will gain an understanding of the central Gospel Message, the kerygma, “the Mystery of Christ,” and how it may be fruitfully shared with others. Strategies and best practices in parish evangelization will be explored, engaging questions of how a parish can nourish the faith of its members while also reaching out to those who are indifferent, searching, or “fallen away.” Anchoring ourselves on the vision of evangelization set forth by Saint Paul VI, Saint John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis, and the U.S. bishops, this course will help students develop a confidence in sharing the Gospel Message and the abilities necessary to help a parish embrace its missionary identity.
Identifies the basic principles of ministering to youth (ages 12-18) as set forth by the National Conference of Catholic Bishop's document, Renewing the Vision." The class studies the history of the youth culture and youth ministry, especially as it pertains to the United States. Students in the class will learn about techniques for evangelizing teens, how to systematically catechize through youth ministry settings, and will review various national Catholic youth ministry programs."
Provides students the opportunity to give numerous presentations and prepare actionable plans in the field of youth ministry. The class will study large and small group meetings, retreats, discussion groups, and volunteer development, as well as building a comprehensive, multi-year program for youth that would get them involved in service experiences and leadership opportunities.
Is a work-experience opportunity with the purpose of expanding education by applying accumulated knowledge in catechesis. The availability of internships is limited to upper-level students, normally seniors with a 3.0 quality point average. Students are approved individually by the academic department. A contract can be obtained from the Career Planning and Services Office in Starvaggi Hall. Internships count as general electives.
For CAT majors only. Internships must be preapproved.
Will introduce the methodological principles of evangelistic catechesis that fosters Christian discipleship. This course will build teaching proficiency by examining principles such as: Christian anthropology and human learning as applicable to faith development, the selection of methods suited to communicating content, fruitful use of memorization, the proper role of experience, and the methodological vision of St. John Bosco. Students will build essential teaching skills such as writing objectives, lesson planning, storytelling, and related techniques needed by the catechist.
Will build upon the methodological foundation established in CAT 401 by considering two essential elements of the Catholic worldview and their impact on how we teach: beauty as a way to God and the liturgy as the locus of maximum encounter with God. Students will prepare to teach the content of the Faith in ways that make manifest its beauty (most notably by employing art, music, literature, and film) and by drawing upon the ritual texts of the Church’s liturgy—both of which are essential to a Catholic way of teaching and making disciples. Students will continue to grow in proficiency in lesson planning, oral presentation skills, and in the thoughtful engagement of methodological trends prevalent in the Church today.
Presents a survey of the elements and the content for each area of catechetical ministries in the Church, such as teaching in Catholic schools, RCIA, adult faith formation, parish catechetical programs, youth ministry, campus ministry, and others
Is focused on preparing a student for full-time professional work in the field of youth ministry. In addition to developing deeper insight into ways of ministering to youth (based on the principles studied in Youth Ministry I Foundations of Catholic Youth Ministry ), this course also looks at recruiting and developing volunteers, dealing with teens in crisis situations, and the common challenges youth ministers face when working in parish and diocesan environments. Enrollment is restricted to students in the Youth Ministry Concentration.
CAT 310 and
CAT 311. For CAT majors in the Youth Ministry Concentration only.
Is an opportunity for students to experience the many facets of full-time professional youth ministry and discern whether or not this ministry is right for them. Students are required to do a six-week internship at a Catholic parish that has a full-time youth minister and an active youth ministry program.
For CAT majors only.
Is designed to be proximate preparation for entry into the professional catechetical field. This course will be a survey of administrative, management, personal and public relations, leadership, policy, legal, and professional development topics from a Gospel perspective for the purpose of facilitating a successful transition to a parish or diocesan position within the Church.
Senior status
Is designed to assist students in the proximate preparation for entrance into the professional catechetical field. This class meets once a week for discussion and practical application (doctrinal and pastoral) of the theoretical content and methods learned in the theology and catechetics courses. The majority of the credit hours are earned through the assigned catechetical fieldwork. This course will expose students to actual catechetical opportunities in local Catholic schools and parish based ministries such as PSR, junior high and high school youth group, RCIA and other adult education opportunities.
Will apply the principles of catechesis specifically to the high school classroom setting. Students will learn to teach for understanding of the Mystery of Christ and for conversion to the person of Christ through discussion and practical assignments related to the following topics: (1) The Church's vision of the mission of a Catholic school; (2) Crafting lesson plans, assignments, and tests, for students of varied abilities and learning styles; (3) Developing classroom management policies and procedures; (4) Navigating relationships with students, parents, faculty, administration and parish/diocese.
Is the capstone experience for the CAT major. Students may choose between doing a scholarly thesis paper on a catechetical topic, or doing an in-depth catechetical presentation. This paper/presentation should be reflective of the particular field of catechetics in which the student would like to do ministry.
Is the capstone experience for the CAT major. Students may choose between doing a scholarly thesis paper on a catechetical topic, or doing an in-depth catechetical presentation. This paper/presentation should be reflective of the particular field of catechetics in which the student would like to do ministry.