- CS Course Descriptions

THE CREED: What Catholics Believe
We say the words of the Nicene Creed during each Sunday liturgy, but do we really know what we are professing to believe as we pray? Studying the Creed deepens our love of God which brings life and renews hope. Looking at the creed in a deeper way brings us closer to the mystery of the Trinity and challenges us to live out our faith daily. The Creed summarizes the most fundamental truths of our faith, in a way best suited to the catechetical formation of ourselves and those we teach.

SACRAMENTS AND LITURGY, Part I
(Christian Mystery)
This first part will provide you with a deeper understanding of the nature and role of sacraments in our life. Then we will look closely at the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) and the Sacraments of Healing (Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick).

LIFE IN CHRIST - CHRISTIAN MORALITY
We are called to live a moral life as a Christian. What does this mean as it relates to our day to day experiences? How are we as Catholics to form our consciences? What does the Church teach about the moral issues we face today?

CHRISTIAN PRAYER
(Prayer and Spirituality)
All of us are called to a life of holiness and prayer, in the imitation of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. We have many rich prayer traditions in our Catholic faith. Come learn about the many ways we have to get closer to our God! Our text is the fourth "pillar" of the Catechism on Christian Prayer.

THE STORY OF GOD'S PEOPLE:
Introduction to the Old Testament
This class helps you to make sense of salvation history as presented in the Hebrew Scriptures. You will gain a deeper understanding of how God prepared His people for the coming of Christ through the series of covenants. This introductory Bible course includes a discussion of how God speaks to us in Scripture, and how we as Catholics are to interpret and apply what we read.

PROPHETS, PSALMS, AND WISDOM WRITERS
"Taste and see that the LORD is good!" This course introduces the rich, evocative, and often challenging variety of literature found in the second half of the Old Testament. We will learn how to form our thinking, prayers, and actions according to the wisdom of God.

THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS: MATTHEW, MARK AND LUKE
Come and learn about the Scripture writings of Matthew, Mark and Luke. By adding new life to readings that are familiar to us, we are able to hear the deeper and richer meanings that are present.

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
The Fourth Gospel is unique in its inspiring presentation of the life and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. Come join us for a close look at one of the most engaging and profitable books of Scripture you can read!

WRITINGS OF ST. PAUL
We have listened to St. Paul for years during our liturgies. But how much do we really know about Paul and the times and peoples for whom he was writing? His letters are some of our greatest treasures in the Scriptures, and this class will open them up for you in an understandable and inspiring way.

REVELATION, SCRIPTURE, AND FAITH
This course provides you with a necessary foundation for future theological studies and faith formation. Based on the first three chapters of the Catechism, it introduces the Catholic approach to understanding our search for God, His loving revelation of Himself and His plan for us, and our response of faith. It explains how God speaks to us, and how we form our thinking and behavior according to Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, as authentically taught by the Magisterium (teaching authority) of the Catholic Church. The course includes a basic overview of salvation history, the inspiration and interpretation of Scripture, and the central role of the Bible in the life of Catholics.

CHURCH HISTORY, Part I
This two-part course gives a brief overview of the history of the Catholic Church. These are much richness and beauty in our Church, as we see the Holy Spirit active in our life story. In order for the Church to move and grow we must know about our roots and what has gone before us. The first session will begin with the history of the early Church and will end at the Middle Ages.

CHURCH HISTORY, Part II
This class continues with the discussion of our Church's faith journey. We will begin with the Reformation and will end in our modern era, up to the time of the Second Vatican Council. Even if you have not taken CHURCH HISTORY, Part I, you are welcome to attend Part II.

HISTORY AND DOCUMENTS OF VATICAN II
The second Vatican Council produced documents which serve as the modern basis for authentic Church teaching, renewal, and evangelization. This course examines the history of ecumenical councils, the context of Vatican II, and the application of its teaching today. We will study the four major constitutions on the Liturgy, the Church, Divine Revelation, and the Church in the modern world.

CHRISTOLOGY: WHO IS JESUS CHRIST?
This course presents an interesting and challenging look at who Jesus is. What do the Scriptures tell us, what does the Church teach about Him, and what are modern theologians saying? This class promises to make Jesus more alive in your heart and more a part of your life. Come and learn, come and grow!

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
Our church revers Mary, the Mother of Jesus. This course presents Mary's role in God's plan of salvation as our spiritual mother and as Mother of the Church and explains the four Marian dogmas. As these dogmas present the fundamental truths about Mary, their foundations in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium will be closely studied in studying the truths about Mary, we hope to love her better and be drawn more deeply into a filial relationship with her, so that she may bring us closer to her Son, Jesus.

THE LAST THINGS: DEATH, JUDGMENT, HELL, PURGATORY AND HEAVEN
The study of the last things reveals God's loving plan of salvation for each of us. In our culture, it is not easy to see and live the Christian meaning of death and life after death, but as Catholics we recognize the realities of sin and redemption, death, judgment, hell, purgatory and heaven. As we seek to better understand these mysteries in our lives, we grow in knowing God's love and mercy, and are strengthened in our daily journey toward being with Him eternally.

THE CHURCH: MYSTERY AND SACRAMENT
Born from our crucified Savior's side and manifested through the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Catholic Church has never ceased drawing all men into the love of the Father. Dwelling in the mystery of the Trinity, she is in the nature of sacrament as sign and instrument of communion with God and of unity. Seeing her as a divine institution made of fallen members, this course will study the Catechism of the Catholic Church to better understand the Church's authority and hierarchy, who we are as the people of God, the role of the laity, the universal call to holiness and how Mary, Mother of Jesus is also Mother of the pilgrim church.

INTRODUCTION TO THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Designed to familiarize adults with our Catechism. There will be a brief overview of each of the four Pillars of the Catechism, as well as a history of catechisms and their importance in our faith tradition. Pope John Paul II says "The Catechism of the Catholic Church is offered to every individual who asks us to give an account of the hope that is in us and who wants to know what the Catholic Church believes."

SPIRITS: ANGELS AND DEMONS
This course presents an interesting and challenging look at Spirits. What do the Scriptures tell us, what does the Church teach about the spiritual realm, and what are modern theologians saying? This class promises to make spirits more alive in your heart and more a part of your life. Come and learn, come and grow!

Christian Life Component

SACRAMENTS AND LITURGY, Part II
In Part II we continue to look at the sacraments, focusing on a deeper look at the Eucharist, and appreciation of Holy Orders and Christian Marriage, and how the Church is experienced as sacrament through our liturgical life. You are welcome to attend this class even if you missed the first part.

FAITH DEVELOPMENT:
HOW WE LIVE AND GROW IN FAITH
Join us for a very interesting look at how our faith develops and grows from infancy through adulthood. We begin by looking at the gift of faith, both God's revelation to us, and our response in faith back to God. As we look at the various stages of faith development, it will help us to better understand where we are on our faith journey, and the pastoral implication of living, and working with people at these various levels who make up the family of God.

HEALTHY FAMILIES, HOLY FAMILIES
The Catholic faith enriches and empowers our family life in many different ways. This class helps us to look more closely at the family of today, traits of healthy families, the life cycles of a family, and how to strengthen the faith life of our families. This course is based on Pope John Paul II's Letter to Families, available for purchase in class.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
The Pope and U.S. Bishops have told us that Catholic Social Teaching is a central and essential element of our faith. It is through these teachings that Catholics develop a moral framework, which guide our everyday actions. The purpose of this course then is to provide clergy, religious, lay leaders, teachers principals and catechists with an in-depth understanding of the social teachings of the Catholic Church and the tools necessary for incorporating these principles into all areas of school curriculum, religious education and parish faith formation programs.

GOD'S PLAN FOR A JOY-FILLED MARRIAGE
God wishes to shower upon spouses the joy of sharing in his love. Christ himself teaches us the meaning of love so that his joy might be in us and our joy might be complete (see Jn 15:11). In the face of so much marital unhappiness, it makes sense to turn to God, the author of marriage, to rediscover his plan for married love. Therein lies the key to a joy-filled, lasting marriage.

This two-part course explains in a positive, contemporary way the timeless wisdom of Catholic teaching on God's plan for marriage and offers practical suggestions on how couples can implement it in their own lives. While geared specifically towards engaged couples, it's open to anyone interested in gaining a Catholic understanding of marriage and sexuality. The morning session, Catholic Faith & Your Marriage, provides an overview of biblical teaching on marriage (drawing primarily from Genesis 1-3, Matthew 19, and Ephesians 5) and explains the meaning and importance of the commitments made in the exchange of vows. The afternoon session, Sacramental Sexuality, draws from the scriptural foundation already laid to present the beauty and goodness of God's plan for sexual union, explaining the whys behind the what's of Catholic teaching in a way that makes sense to men and women today. Honest, positive discussion throughout the day aims to demonstrate the true joy of embracing God's plan for marital love.

LECTIONARY AND THE LITURGICAL YEAR
Join us for a very interesting look at the Scriptural foundations of the Liturgy in the Catholic celebration. We begin by looking at the history and tradition of the Liturgy of the Word in the Roman Missal and what changed since Vatican II. What was the foundation used and how was the Liturgical year changed. The Liturgy of the Word is founded on Scripture and exposes every Catholic to more of Sacred Scripture every year.

The Sunday Lectionary: Ritual Word, Paschal Shape; Fr. Normand Bonneau, O.M.I., Th.D.; ISBN: 0-8146-2457-X; Liturgical Press, 1998; Collegeville, MN.

Methodology Component

BASIC SKILLS FOR NEW CATECHISTS
This class is for new catechists, who are just beginning or are within their first year and will aid them in teaching and passing on the faith to young people. Some of the topics covered in this class will be the call to ministry and the qualities of a Christian teacher. Practical applications include communication with parents, room environment, lesson planning, prayer, and how to's. Come and get energized and equipped for your new catechetical ministry.

THE CREATIVE CATECHIST
This is a wonderful opportunity for catechist, who have been teaching one year, to learn some fresh and creative ways of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom to their students. It will give helpful ideas and tools to facilitate making your class a more productive and fun place. Come and get energized and equipped to continue in your catechetical ministry (And bring a good idea of yours to share!)

FOUNDATIONS OF CATECHETICS
- Designed specifically for parish catechists.

Catechetics is the art and science of sharing our faith with others, through our life witness and the systematic teaching of the good news in Jesus Christ. It presupposes and includes the necessity of evangelization - the clear proclamation and personal acceptance of the truth that leads to eternal life. Catechesis develops one's love of God and neighbor, by explaining the faith and encouraging Christian understanding, maturity, worship, community, and service. We will consider the nature, aims, basic content, and appropriate methods of faith information, based on official Church documents.

FOUNDATION OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION
- Designed specifically for Catholic school educators.

Although this course is especially designed for Catholic School teachers and administrators, parents will find it also beneficial in educating their children. It examines Church teaching on the nature, goals, basic content, agents, and means of Catholic education. We will seek to develop a foundational Catholic world-view upon which an effective educational ministry may be built. The primary sources for this course are the Sacred Scriptures and Church documents on education.

TRANSFORMING CULTURE THROUGH CATHOLIC EDUCATION
- Designed specifically for Catholic School teachers, who are not Catholic.

Teaching in the Catholic school system provides unique challenges for non-Catholic teachers. This course is designed to encourage non-Catholic teachers to see the importance of their participation in Catholic education, and to share the Catholic vision for educating students in a holistic and integrated manner.The distinctive opportunity of providing education from a Christ-centered perspective is that teachers are able to do more than train the students in skills. Every teacher knows that each student is a unique individual with concerns and needs of their own. This course will look at the wonderful freedom that Catholic education allows for the teacher to care for the soul and not just the mind. To provide education concerning the "why's" of life and not just the "how's". We will address the meaning that underlies the methods of education by examining how a Christian approach to education can strengthen all of our efforts.

For textbooks, please see Course texts , reading assignments.

Special Course Tracks
(four courses in each series)

APOLOGETICS TRACK
(Four courses in the series: APL, APL2, APL3, APL4)

Apologetics is defined as - a branch of theology, defending or proving the truth of Christian doctrines; or formal argumentation in defense of something, such as a position or system.

These four classes provide an introduction into why Catholics believe what they believe and how they explain it to others. The subjects are:

APL - The Eucharist, the Bible and Apostolic authority
APL2 - The Saints, Mary, Atheists and the New Age
APL3 - Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons and The Trinity
APL4 - Tough Moral Questions and Life Issues

THE EVANGELIZATION TRACK
(Four courses in the series: EVA, EVA2, EVA3, EVA4)

These courses introduce how the first Evangelist, Jesus of Nazareth, evangelized. The Church exists to evangelize and these courses provide an opportunity to learn how and why we should imitate Jesus in our own Evangelization. Useable and practical information which will empower people to go forth and do as Jesus did is involved in each course:

EVA - Evangelization Foundations
EVA2 - The Gospels and evangelization
EVA3 - JPII and the New Evangelization
EVA4 - Evangelization and the New Catechumenate

Registration is open now.
For questions and registration,
please call the Catechetical School at 303-715-3195.