Monday, February 8, 2010

Spring Semester - School's Back in Session!


Last week, I wrote about the Pastoral Workshops offered here at the Seminary to ease us back into the Spring Semester. Well, the easing in is over as the Spring Semester is in full swing.

The courses, like those in many good programs, build on previous learning and experience and, it appears they will give us many relevant and applicable experiences for parish ministry. So here’s a look at the schedule with a little explanation of what’s involved…maybe you’ll want to take a few of these courses!

Pauline Literature: This course examines many of the Letters of Paul found in the New Testament. We hear from Paul on most Sundays at Mass so this will provide me, I hope, with a good foundation for the future.
Passion Narratives: This second Scripture course is an online or distance learning course. I am in this class with six other people who are involved in ministry and work throughout the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre. It promises to be interesting – not just for the knowledge I’ll gain – but for this unique way of learning.
Special Issues in Moral Theology: Here we will be focusing on issues related to health care and sexuality. I am not sure you can have enough information in these two areas but the course promises to leave me with a lot to think about.
Sacramental Theology: Working with others to prepare and celebrate the sacraments is important for any priest. This course will give not only the history of the sacraments but what the sacraments offer each of us.
Theology of Marriage: No I’m not getting married! Yet, working with married couples and the Sacrament of Marriage is important for all who work in the Church. This class will help us to look at the theological foundations of marriage as well as many of the practical issues that arise in today’s society.
John Henry Newman: I know next to nothing about him. This class, particularly as his canonization approaches, will give me some good insight into this man – who liked to write a lot (I know because I have to read most of it!)
Spanish: I am still working at this – we’ll see what happens as the semester progresses!

So are you signing up? Even though we are only a week in, it looks like it will be a pretty interesting semester! If you know anything about these topics, let me know!

Have a great week!

No comments:

Post a Comment