A THEOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ADULTS:
Including those in Catechetical Ministry

The Archdiocesan Certificate in Theology is intended to give the laity an opportunity to grow in their knowledge and application skills in theology. All courses are designed to provide the participant with a survey of the particular theological topic and are not considered post secondary credit courses.

Registration Information

Watch for "Institute Registration Booklets" which are mailed to all pastors, parish secretaries, schools, and the coordinators of the parish ministries of (PREP) Parish Religious Education Program, (RCIA) Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, Adult Faith Formation, (LWC) Liturgy of the Word with Children and Marriage Preparation teams. Courses sponsored by the Office of Religious Education are offered during our Institutes in the Winter (January), Spring (April), Summer (August), and Fall (September).


Course Descriptions

*These courses can be taken as independent units. No specific sequence has to be followed.*

1. Scripture I - This course is a survey of the various types of writing in the Old Testament, with emphasis on the important themes that came to express Israel=s faith. Connections will be explored with the New Testament and Catholic life to understand the place of the witness of the old covenant in our faith today.
2. Scripture II - This course will build on Scripture I and will give an overview of the first century world as well as the New Testament writings. Major topics to be covered will be the synoptic gospels, the Johannine gospel and writings, St. Paul as missionary and his writings and other epistles.
3. Moral Theology I - Moral Theology I will explore basic principles of Catholic Morality including natural and divine law, conscience formation, and moral reasoning. An examination of contemporary moral issues and how we make moral decisions in our lives will comprise part of the course.
4. Moral Theology II - Building on the first course which laid groundwork in moral theology, this course will take a more in depth look at how the ten commandments give a framework for our moral life.
5. Ecclesiology - This course is an overview of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ. It will explore the attributes of the Catholic Church and discuss the call of the baptized within this context.
6. Theology of Liturgy - The fundamentals of liturgy will be examined so that participants will become familiar with liturgical principles, language, documents and resources and given an introduction to sacramentology.
7. Prayer & Spirituality - In this course the different prayer forms and spiritualities rooted in the tradition of the Catholic Church will be surveyed.
8. Trinity/Christology - This course is an introduction to the Catholic teaching on the Trinity - God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit - with emphasis on the life, mission, and ministry of Jesus Christ.
9. Church History - This course will give an overview of the peak moments in Church History from Pentecost to the Vatican Council II and how they have shaped the church today.
10. Theology of Sacraments - Each sacrament will be studied from the following perspectives: historical overview, theological understanding, symbols and form, and then there will be time given to examine the practical questions in pastoral practice.
11. Saints/Eschatology - The main themes explored in this course will be: the call to holiness and transformation as exemplified by saints, the "here and not yet" of eschatology, the four last things, and the communion of saints.
12. Theology of Ministry - This completion course will help the participants integrate their call in the mission of the Church through a study of the threefold call of baptism, as well as through theological reflection on ministry. Pre-requisite: This course can only be taken once at least 9 of the certificate courses have been completed. As this is a completion course for the Certificate, it is not open to audit students.