Diocese of Joliet Cohort
M.A. in Pastoral Studies Cohort In Diocese of Joliet
The Diocese of Joliet Office of Ministry Formation and the Institute of Pastoral Studies, Loyola University Chicago sanctioned the formation of the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS) Cohort Group for Spring Semester 2007. For the most part, courses do not need to be taken in sequence. Please see Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies for more information about the degree.
This new cohort follows the general M.A. in Pastoral Studies core curriculum, with one course taught per semester and completion after four years continuous enrollment. The program consists of eight core courses, with three additional elective courses to be chosen by the group as a whole and taken in Year IV; or, the group can choose for individuals to complete the three courses during summer sessions. In addition, the M.A. in Pastoral Studies curriculum includes a practicum experience (1 course).
Deacons who have completed diocesan formation can receive the equivalent of 12 semester hours of advanced standing. Advanced standing may be available for other candidates as well. Please inquire with IPS.
Please note: Students are expected to have internet access.
CHRISTIAN MORAL THEOLOGY AND ETHICS
(IPS 553-001)
Class Number: tba
Joliet Cohort Program: Site to be announced
Instructor: Edward van Merrienboer
6 Saturdays, 10:00a.m. - 4:00p.m, dates tba
This course examines the fundamental insights of Christian ethics as they relate to everyday living as disciples of Christ and citizens in this time/place. Topics covered will include: history of Christian ethics, formation of a Christian ethical community discipleship, theological anthropology (including human dignity, rights, agency, freedom, natural law, stages of moral development and commitment), models for decision-making, resources for ethical living (Catholic traditions, the scriptures, human experience, social & human sciences), conscience, methods of ethical thinking, (social) sin, conversion and virtue. These foundational issues and Catholic social teachings will be integrated with pastoral application through the use of case studies on economic justice, violence, human sexuality, environmental justice and biomedical ethics.
Required Books:
---Evans, Bernard F. Lazarus at the Table. Liturgical Press.
---McCormick Patrick T., Russell B. Connors. Facing Ethical Issues: Dimensions of Character, Choices & Community. Paulist Press 2002.
---USCCB. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. USCCB Publishing.
LITURGY AND THE CHRISTIAN SACRAMENTS
(IPS 541-001)
Class number: 6025
Joliet Cohort Program:
St. Michael's Parish
Class location will be in the "Faith Center", 1st floor, Adult Ed Room
315 West Willow Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
http://www.stmichaelcommunity.org/
6 Saturdays, 10:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. on September 6 and 20, October 4 and 11, November 1 and 15
Instructor: Todd Williamson
Humans search for ultimate meaning. This is perhaps the difference between "man" and "man's best friend." Since we can't touch the ultimate, and can't fully comprehend it, we turn to symbols which bridge the gap between what we know and what our Divine instinct senses and seeks. Sacraments are the church’s way of making this connection between the worldly and the sacred (body and spirit) making our awareness of this partnership real. The Catholic sacramental vision of the world sees God in and through all things. God gives us the ultimate sacrament in Jesus, with us in human form. The Church - the body of Christ’s presence - is "the sacrament of Jesus."
The course will look at the seven Catholic sacraments from three perspectives: 1) what is a sacrament, 2) what is the place of sacraments in our life and in the human story 3) how do we live them?
Scope of the Course's Objectives:
-Gain a Deepened Understanding of the Organic as well as Catholic Nature of Sacraments and Sacramental Life -Acquire a Greater Sensitivity of Sacramental Awareness
-Formulate a Personal Theology of Sacraments
-Reclaim the Vatican II Sense of the Immanence of the Sacraments
-Refocus the Spotlight of the Sacraments on the People’s Lives
-Grow in the Ability to Teach, Counsel and Administer and the Sacraments
Dimensions of the Course:
-Organic Nature of Sacraments and Ritual
-The nature of symbol
-Catholic sacramental imagination (Jesus, Mary, Church, and Sacrament)
Required Readings:
CHURCH AND MISSION
(IPS 402-002)
Class number: 2437
2 weeks, June 2 - 13, 2008
Monday through Friday, 1:30p.m. - 5:00p.m.:
at: St. Isidore Parish
427 West Army Trail Road
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
Term: A
Instructor: Robert O’Gorman
This course is based on the postmodern encounter of religion and science and the new view of cosmology that has resulted, this course proposes a new paradigm from which to understand the church and its ministries. This course involves us in communion as the heart of church, with attention to authentic human development. It examines the relationships of community and institutional structure and highlights the mission of the church to society. We focus on the church as an evolving experience of reform and its aftermath. Jesus to Augustine, Christendom, Tridentine Reform and Vatican II are the historical periods that anchor this course. The church is both product and transformer of culture--each age bringing new challenges. Entering as we are the third millennium this course will look at four contemporary themes: Feminization, Spiritualization, Globalization and the Next Generation seeing Catholic identity (one, holy, catholic and apostolic) from the perspective of a new (quantum) cosmology or story of the universe. We’ll explore how existing resources can be used to respond creatively to best teach and minister in new times, and identify new resources as needed.
Required Readings:
---Küng, Hans. The Catholic Church: A Short History. Modern Library, 2003.
---Lumen Gentium & Gaudium et Spes (available on the internet): http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html and http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_cons_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html
-----Mahon, Leo. Fire Under My Feet: A Memoir of God's Power in Panama. Orbis Books , 2007 (Paperback).
---O’Gorman, Robert and Mary Faulkner. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Catholicism, 3rd Edition. Alpha, 2006.
---Sanks, T. Howland. Salt, Leaven, and Light: The Community Called Church. Crossroad, 2001.
---Wessels, Cletus. The Holy Web: Church and the New Universe Story. Orbis Books, 2000.
CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE AND ITS HISTORY: GRACE, CHRIST AND THE SPIRIT
Joliet Cohort*
(IPS 531-002)
Class Number:
Instructor: Robert Ludwig
Saturday, 9:00a.m. - 3:00p.m. on: January 12 and 26, February 9 and 16, March 15 and April 12
*The Joliet Cohort will meet at:
Christ the King Parish
1501 South Main Street
Lombard, IL 60148-4501
Today many Christians have little or no understanding of how the New Testament experience became translated into Christian doctrine; many have little or no insight into how Christian theology today understands the dynamics of sin and grace, the notion of salvation, the role of Jesus Christ as understood by Christian faith. This course is an overview of fundamental Christian theology--from the New Testament, to Augustine, to Aquinas, to Karl Rahner--focused on the core doctrines of grace, Christ, and Trinity. Students will pursue an understanding of the experiential foundations of core Christian doctrine and see the evolution of interpretation from early centuries to the present. Much of the course will explore contemporary, pastoral understandings of Christian doctrine. We will move between experience and doctrine and back to experience, helping students gain insight into both as they come to understand the dynamic process that leads from experience to doctrine-and, in theology, back again to experience and to ministry. What theolgians refer to as "soteriology"--theology of salvation--is the heart of this course, which will involve significant reading and writing assignments as well as in-class discussions. This is a basic theology course for anyone involved in Christian ministry.
Required Readings:
---Fischer, Mark F. The Foundations of Karl Rahner. Crossroad, 2006.
---Kung, Hans. Great Christian Thinkers. Continuum, 1996.
---Ludwig, Robert. Essays on Grace. Jesus and Christology:Selected Essays.
Available through the IPS Office for a total of $13.
---O'Meara, Thomas. God in the World. Liturgical Press, 2007.
Click here for a copy of the syllabus.
CHRISTIAN ORIGINS: An Exploration of the New Testament
(IPS 416-001)
Class number: 4981
Joliet Cohort Program:
St. Petronille
420 Glenwood Avenue
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137-4588
Saturdays, 9:00a.m. - 3:00p.m. on September 8 and 22, October13 and 27, November 3 and 17
Instructor: Robert Ludwig
This course serves as an introduction to and overview of the New Testament. Students explore the world of Jesus and his interpreters from both an historical and a biblical perspective and learn about the religious and cultural world of Palestinian Judaism during the Roman occupation. The course considers the life and teachings of Jesus in Galilee; the beginnings of the Christian movement in the revelatory experience of Christ risen and the preaching of the gospel focused on his life, death, and resurrection; the missionary movement of the Church into the Greco-Roman world (the life and writings of the apostle Paul); and finally the development of the four canonical gospels, each with their unique portrait of Jesus Christ and the path of discipleship. Throughout the course, students make connections between then and now, Christian origins and the world of today.
Required Readings:
---Ehrman, Bart D. *A Brief Introduction to the New Testament. Oxford Univerity Press, 2004.
---Ludwig, Robert. Selected Essays. Available at the cost of duplication from the IPS Office by contacting Susann Ozuk, 312/915-7400 or sozuk@luc.edu
---New Testament texts (Paul's letters to the Galatians, I Corinthians, and Romans; the four canonical gospels; the Acts of the Apostles.)
---Shea, John. *Gospel Light. Crossroad, 1998.
*These two books are available from Amazon.com as new and used books at great discounts.
Click here for a copy of the syllabus.
Please follow up as soon as possible by applying online. Time is short and space is limited!
For more information about the Joliet cohort, please contact the IPS Office at: 312.915.7400; or e-mail: ips@luc.edu. Please mention the Diocese of Joliet cohort group in your e-mail.
