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.
In the Catholic Church’s vision of youth ministry, ministries with teenagers are not driven by programs but relationships with faithful men and women who accompany them through the many challenges and transitions they face in adolescence. This course examines topics such as the missionary nature of Catholic youth ministry, pastoral accompaniment, proclaiming the Gospel to teenagers, engaging youth culture, partnering with families, adolescent catechesis, and mentoring teens in service and leadership.
This course examines effective principles and practices of relational-driven programs that help Catholic teenagers become disciples of Jesus Christ. Topics include applying the baptismal catechumenate to youth ministry, modeling ministry on the aspects of Jesus’ life, using social media to promote the Gospel, uncovering Christ within youth culture, creative preaching techniques, engaging families, and how to plan activities such as youth nights, small groups, and retreats.
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
This course examines leadership principles necessary for ministry with youth. Topics include the spiritual life of the youth minister, competencies of pastoral and professional leadership, ministerial discernment, an overview of ministries with youth (diocesan, parish, missionary, camps, etc.), time management, working within a community, and finding successful career paths in youth ministry.
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.
Provides an introduction to the history, methods, and contemporary practice in catechetics. The Church's catechetical documents are studied in depth, providing the necessary foundations for the other religious courses. Catechetical skills will be developed by analyzing specific doctrines in order to learn how to handle them in catechetical presentations, determining what is essential in presenting a catechesis that is systematic and organic. In addition, the students will be introduced to the life and educational practice of St. John Bosco.
Teaches students to see how Catholic doctrine is driven by Scripture, and how to effectively use the Bible in catechesis. The class examines the relationship of Scripture and Tradition, the Catholic hermeneutic in Scriptural interpretation, and the narrative of the Bible. Students will be exposed to various ways of using the Bible in passing on the faith to others, and be challenged to come up with creative ways to use Scripture in different catechetical settings.
This course begins by exploring the fundamental conviction that evangelization is the deepest identity of the Church and therefore influences every facet of her life. The Church's liturgy - because it makes present the Pascal Mystery - is both summit and font of this evangelistic mission. Students will investigate not only the nature and interdependence of evangelization and the liturgy, but also their importance to the contemporary renewal of catechetical practice. Students will additionally come to understand how a close study of sacramental theology can positively influence catechetical practice, particularly by way of well-conceived approaches to sacramental preparation and mystagogical catechesis.
"The 'study of the sacred page' should be the very soul of sacred theology. The ministry of the Word... pastoral preaching, catechetics, and all forms of Christian instruction... is healthily nourished and thrives in holiness through the Word of Scripture" (DV 24). This course focuses on the centrality of Scripture in the work of evangelization and catechesis. The content of the apostles' teaching and their use of Scripture, the scriptural basis of the catechesis of the Fathers and current magisterial documents related to Scripture and catechesis will be covered. Finally, this course explores the implementation of Scripture for evangelistic and catechetical purposes.
This course will explore the effective delivery of the content of the Deposit of Faith for the purpose of promoting conversion to Jesus Christ. Kerygmatic catechesis and its emphasis on the means of insertion into the Mystery of Christ will provide the foundation for this exploration. A technique for analyzing doctrine for effective delivery will be employed with specific emphasis on the way in which such a delivery informs the faith, hope and love of the prospective disciple. Finally the challenges to employing a doctrinal delivery in the catechetical field today will be discussed.
This course explores the foundational methodological vision and principles described in the magisterial catechetical documents. A theoretical study and practical application will be made of primary principles of catechetical methodology, including the interconnectedness which exists between catechetical methodology and the Deposit of Faith, the centrality of the pedagogy of God to a proper formulation and evaluation of catechetical methodology, the importance of teaching to the aim of conversion and the spiritual life of the catechist as the "soul of catechetical methodology."
All catechetical methodology must be rooted in the Divine Pedagogy-how God teaches. This course will study the pedagogy of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Because catechesis must always be Christocentric, methodologies will be examined in the context of incarnational dynamism. Since God is truth, beauty, and goodness, this course will also look at specific methodologies in the context of these transcendentals, particularly in the use of art, music, literature, and film. This course should be taken at the end of the program and will evaluate a student's graduate level research and catechetical scholarship.
This course will focus on a particular topic or area of importance in pastoral theology, or practical pastoral work. Examples of possible topics are: Youth Ministry, Parish Pastoral Ministry, Pastoral Structures (Church Government), and Pastoral Guidance (Spiritual Direction), Church Law and Discipleship.
Notes
This course may be taken more than once on different topics.
This course explores the sacramental life of the Church from the perspective that the hallmark of the adult Catholic life must be liturgical. We will discuss preparation for Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Matrimony and Anointing of the Sick in regard to their Rites, Canon Law, pastoral practice, and the truths they express. The primary objective is to understand how to prepare people to be fully conscious of what is happening in the sacraments, actively engaged in the rites, and enriched by them.
Opportunities to participate in supervised catechetical ministries such as the RCIA, parish adult programs, Catholic schools, or parish religious education are available for students to obtain teaching experience. This may be elected twice for different ministries.
This course studies the needs of the Church in the United States regarding current catechetical practice. Specifically, it covers family-based catechesis, Catholic schools, religious education, PSR, adult catechesis, catechesis for conversion, catechesis and culture, and alternative structures for catechesis. The theory and elements of each type of program are examined, and practice in the development of new programs for specific needs will be provided.
Students must have completed all other catechetics courses; may be concurrent with
THE 692.
This course addresses selected contemporary questions that demand a mature response from the informed Christian. This course emphasizes guided thought into specific dogmatic, moral, and spiritual issues.
This course studies the development of the Christian initiation process by the Fathers of the Church, highlighting their methods and the content of their catechesis. The revised Order of Christian Initiation is studied closely, highlighting its catechetical, liturgical, and pastoral components and the initiation into the Church of adults and children.
"Even if it is not always easy to approach young people, progress has been made in two areas: the awareness that the entire community is called to evangelize and educate the young, and the urgent need for the young to exercise greater leadership" (Francis, EG 106). This course provides a sociohistorical examnation of youth culture and the Church's response to that culture (successes and failures) in the United States. It examines the role and definition of young people within the Church and society (tweens, teens, and emerging adults). Finally it seeks to propose effective models on how to apply what the Church has taught regarding evangelization to young people in various settings, such as parish youth ministry and campus ministry.
In Christus Vivit, Pope Francis proposed there was a need for “new styles and strategies” in ministry to youth as well as a need to recognize “those practices that have shown their value” (204). This course examines effective methodology in ministry with youth and young adults, helping students critically evaluate current practices as well as propose new styles and strategies to help young people become disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
The course examines the relationship between philosophy and catechetics. It is in two parts. The first part reviews the teaching of the magisterium on this relationship, in particular in Aeterni Patris and Fides et Ratio, and then goes on to treat of questions of truth and rhetoric in the transmission of doctrine, studying the role of the catechist as witness and communicator. The second part of the course is an examination of the thought of St Thomas Aquinas and the relation of this thought to themes in the Deposit of Faith. Thus this part of the course enables students to engage with a single figure in some depth, a figure who is philosopher, theologian and preacher of the faith and who is consistently presented by the magisterium as worthy of special study.
During his speech opening the Second Vatican Council, Pope John XXIII stated that one of the purposes of the Council was to "guard the deposit of faith." This course will look at Church history through a catechetical hermeneutic, examining both the successes and failures of catechetical endeavors by reading some major works concerning the handing on of the faith from the time of the apostles to the Second Vatican Council. This course will examine the documents of the Second Vatican Council and their catechetical implications. It will also address the positive developments as well as the challenges encountered in post-conciliar catechesis, and will stress the renewal of catechesis as a result of Vatican II.
THE 604.
This course, building on the work undertaken in the graduate class, CAT 602: Deposit of Faith, examines the transmission of the faith, analyzing the elements involved in this transmission in light of what the Church calls the "original pedagogy" of the faith. Learning the craft of transmission according to this pedagogy is understood as the fostering of faith, hope and love through an intellectual, affective and practical environment that nurtures the development of one's relationship with Christ. The pattern of transmission is analyzed through a study of the annunciation narrative, with the different elements of proclamation, dialogue, questioning,application to life and so on, being inspired by this narrative. A detailed examination is made of the theological virtues of faith, hope and love, gifts that enable us to share in the "dialogue of salvation" and respond to the promptings of God, making a full assent and adherence to him.
Through an examination of Gravissimum educationis, the Vatican II Declaration on Christian Education, as well as key post-conciliar documents on Catholic schools, this course facilitates the formation of a Catholic educational philosophy within the teacher and the school. Key themes include characteristics of a Catholic school, formation of personnel, implications for the curriculum, intercultural dialogue, and the service of the common good.
Students will examine significant periods, figures and texts in the history of catechetics, particularly as this came to be expressed in the Western tradition. Topics include: the classical paideia and its impact on formation of early Christian education and catechesis; the development of catechetical schools; the development of the Creeds; the development and features of the catechumenal model; monastic and cathedral schools in the Carolingian period; liturgy, culture and catechesis in the medieval period; the history of catechisms, with a highlight on the Roman catechism; catechetical movements in the twentieth century; the pivotal importance of Vatican II and trends and movements in post Vatican II catechetics. Students study the catechetical importance of certain perennial texts, including Clement of Alexandria, Paedagogus; Ambrose: de Mysteriis; de Saramentis; Cyril of Jerusalem; Catechetical Lectures; Augustine; De catechizandis rudibus; De doctrina Christiana.
This course will provide a survey of leadership, administrative, management, personal and public relations, policy, legal (civil and canonical), 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. It will also explore the mind of the Church and best practices in the variety of catechetical disciplines found in the field today. Specifically it will include discussion of adult catechesis, family catechesis, youth ministry, campus ministry, Catholic schools, parish school of religion, DRE/catechist training, textbook evaluations, chastity education, and catechumenal ministry.
Placed within the first residential week, this nine-day seminar introduces and explains the nature and aims of the doctoral thesis project which is the crown and culmination of the degree. Students are helped to identify possible project topics related to relevant ministry areas, receive an overview of research methodologies (including qualitative, quantitative and survey research, and using church statistics) and undertake an initial review of their possible use for their project, explore how the taught courses might relate to their project and analyze ways of generating a theological framework for their research.
This course provides an examination of key principles of spiritual and sacramental theology to prioritize the spiritual and sacramental life necessary for those in ministry. Topics to be explored include one’s spiritual life and Christian witness as the soul of evangelization and catechesis; the need for docility to the Holy Spirit and contemplative prayer; the grace and missionary responsibility given through the sacraments; the unique call given to ministry leaders to carry out their ministry in sacramental union with Christ and the Church; and how the liturgy serves as a means of lifelong evangelization
Students will examine significant periods, figures and texts in the history of catechetics as it came to be understood within the wider ministry of evangelization, exploring implications and connections with contemporary catechesis in students’ own contexts. Topics include: the classical paideia and its impact on formation of early Christian education and catechesis; the development of catechetical schools; the development of the Creeds; the development and features of the catechumenal model; monastic and cathedral schools in the Carolingian period; liturgy, culture and catechesis in the medieval period; the history of catechisms; catechetical movements in the twentieth century; the pivotal importance of Vatican II and trends and movements in post Vatican II catechetics. The course will include an historical study of the Church’s evangelistic and catechetical outreach in the United States from initial evangelizing activity in the 16th century to the establishment of the Catholic school system to the present day.
This course examines the core theological foundations of an understanding of Catholic pastoral leadership, both at the theoretical level and in its concrete expression. The Scriptural foundations of leadership, especially that manifest in the public ministry of Jesus, are analyzed alongside the dogmatic, moral, and canonical teachings of the magisterium with regard to pastoral oversight and responsibility. Significant elements in theological anthropology are unpacked for their relevance to an explicitly Catholic understanding of leadership, including the relationship of nature and grace, the significance of human work and the vocation of the laity the development and exercise of virtues, and the complementary nature and vocation of men and women, together with ecclesiological teachings and perspectives relevant to questions of hierarchy, authority and co-responsibility in the Church and with regard to her mission. The course includes comparative studies with non-Catholic understandings of leadership, both modern and postmodern.
This course aims to explore the interconnections between Christian anthropology and moral questions, especially those that have surfaced in the past few decades. The course includes a critical investigation of several accounts of the human person in the Christian tradition, together with their philosophical and theological frameworks. The examination of specific twenty-first century moral questions will be driven by which of those issues represent critical points of leverage in the evangelization of culture. The course will provide material for a consideration of how one might approach those moral questions today. The course will also unpack the anthropological and moral aspects of choices regarding research methodology.
This course examines the Church’s mission to penetrate, transform and elevate cultures through the proclamation of the Gospel. This course will consider concepts of culture and inculturation, including the challenges posed by Modern and Post-modern philosophy and the opportunities for developing new methods and new expressions for evangelizing. This course identifies pastoral principles and practices for intercultural communication which lead to ecclesial integration and inform the evangelist’s capacity to communicate effectively with ethnic groups and cultures different from one’s own.
This seminar investigates and explores the call to discipleship, as seen in the Scriptures and in the Church’s magisterial vision, together with the importance of an orientation towards missionary discipleship orientation for all Catholic evangelization and catechesis.
Building on the Missionary Discipleship—Foundational Principles Seminar, CAT 881 critically examines a range of methods and trends in the formation of missionary disciples with a specific emphasis on how those models could apply to the student’s Thesis Project.
On this course, students work through the steps to complete their thesis project proposal. This course is overseen by the DMin Thesis Director who assigns the Primary Advisor, Secondary Advisor, and Data Analysis Advisor for their project (if a student doesn’t already have them). The completed project proposal is approved by the DMin Committee and the advisors involved. The elements of the thesis project proposal include: project outline, aims and objectives, theological framework, literature and key concepts review, relationship of project to taught components, research methodology, and timeline for completion (no more than one academic year after completion of CAT 890).
The student works on his or her approved thesis under the supervision of the DMin Thesis Director and the student’s Primary and Secondary Advisor. The usual length of the thesis is 50-60,000 words, with a maximum of 60,000 words. The usual structure of the thesis is:
- Introduction, including outline of topic and its foundational significance; key research questions and rationale; research methodology; presentation of structure of the thesis and key elements,
- Four-six chapters of 7,000-10,000 words, yielding key principles that will be used to develop the ministerial/educational project. Literature review elements will be placed in the introduction and individual chapters as appropriate.
- Conclusions
The student works on his or her approved project under the supervision of the DMin Thesis Director and the student’s Primary and Secondary Advisor (with Data Analysis Advisor if deemed necessary). The usual length of the project is 30-40,000 words, with a maximum of 40,000 words. The project is introduced with a rationale in terms of significance, aims and learning outcomes, structure and content outline, ministerial/educational philosophy, forms of assessment, and a map of the principles derived from the thesis which will shape the project. The project is an original, complete and coherent piece of work which is field-ready and which demonstrates and instantiates the principles articulated and defended in the thesis.