Spirituality and Ministry are profoundly related aspects of the Christian life. In this lecture/discussion course, we explore these disciplines separately and in relationship to one another across a wide variety of types and topics. These include: ministry on the margins, theological reflection on ministry, discernment and decision-making for ministry, and themes in personal and communal spiritualities. The course is scheduled to meet on a series of Saturdays at JST, from 9:00a to 3:00p on these dates: 9/7, 9/28, 10/12, 11/9 and 12/7. In addition, between on-site sessions students will be involved in several online exercises individually and in small groups. This schedule is meant to accommodate the work and study lives of busy students, but the topic also avails itself to a slower rhythm and pace associated with more contemplative processes.
This course will examine the Roman Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation from its historical, theological, moral, pastoral, liturgical and canonical perspectives. It is designed for those who will preside at the Sacrament of Reconciliation as presbyters. The emphasis will be an ongoing practicum on reconciliation rites and practices, utilizing role-playing of a variety of confessional cases and issues. The course will also involve an in-depth discussion of moral, liturgical and pastoral theology as it is related to the Sacrament. Attention will be paid to pastoral care in a variety of different contexts of sacramental confession, as well as related pastoral, moral and canonical issues which often surface in the celebration of the Rite of Reconciliation. This course fulfills the Society of Jesus' requirements for confessional rites and includes the ad audienda requirements of the Church for all candidates for ordination. [24 max enrollment; PIN code required]
This course is a combination of two aspects of the field of canon law. The first half of the course presents an overview of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, giving its origins and the legal traditions on which it is built. Special emphasis is on the pastoral application of the foundational principles of law and an examination of the rights and obligations of the Christian Faithful. The second half of the course covers the seven sacraments with an extended time on the sacrament of marriage. Both the celebration of marriage as the law prescribes and the work of marriage tribunals when a marriage ends in divorce are studied in detail.
Course offers a theoretical and experiential introduction to prison ministry to prepare ministry students for possible careers as prison chaplains. The course emphasizes the theological, psychological and pastoral needs of the incarcerated and examines the current state of corrections in the United States. The course explores the historical roots of correctional chaplaincy in the United States, punishment theory, prison culture, racism, restorative justice and alternatives to incarceration. Format includes both lecture and seminar discussion of reading materials as well as theological reflection based on both the reading and the students' (required for course) experience of spending 2 hours per week at San Quentin State Prison under supervision of the instructor. While the context is Catholic prison ministry, the course encourages collaborative, ecumenical and interfaith ministry. [Interview required; Faculty Consent required; 20 max enrollment; Auditors with faculty permission]
This course in the practice and theology of liturgical prayer is intended for those taking leadership in worshiping communities: as members/facilitators of worship committees, pastoral associates, and/or those leading liturgical prayer on behalf of the community. Although the primary focus is Roman Catholic and the liturgical/rubrical issues related to this tradition, the course invites an ecumenical reflection on the dynamism of the life of the Trinity expressed in the identity of the minister, the rhythms/dynamics of liturgical enactment, and the diversity of members in a worshiping community. Students will be prepared for lay presidency of rites in various settings and pastoral situations that are appropriately led by lay leaders. (MDiv, MA/MTS)
This course is designed to acquaint students preparing for presbyteral ordination in the Roman Catholic Church with the principle rites of the Church's liturgy. Its goal is to develop prayerful leaders of prayer and to develop in presiders the necessary skills for gathering the ecclesial body and celebrating the sacramental rites of the Church. Students will prepare and preside at rites and will also work together on larger liturgical rites. Small group gatherings outside of class for 1 � hours a week will enable more familiarity and personal critique. [Faculty Consent required; Auditors excluded]
What role does religion play in Hispanic culture? What are the many ways that such beliefs are manifested? How do the fields of history, anthropology, sociology, literature and art all contribute to a better understanding of how Latinas and Latinos experience the Sacred? This course provides an opportunity for students to explore such areas as popular religion, the historical roots of religious expressions, how religion appears in contemporary movies, art, and music, and also to learn about various perspectives. Although the focus is primarily Mexican and Mexican American, an attempt will be made to include examples from other Latino cultures. Aside from lectures and readings, the class features films, slides, and class discussions. Requirements: weekly Moodle postings, a book report, reflection paper on field visit, and one oral final. Knowledge of Spanish is helpful but not a requirement. Can count as a JST MDiv. praxis course and is intended for MDiv, MA/MTS, and STL students. [PIN code required; 12 max enrollment]
This course explores the theology of preaching in the Christian tradition and investigates the ways that different theological perspectives intersect with the preaching event. It gives primary place and focus to preaching as a liturgical event and seeks to integrate Word and Sacrament as a unitive proclamation of God's saving acts in Jesus. In addition, the relationship between shared literary texts and the community's reception, the cultural and social contexts of communities (their ""social location""), and the role of the preacher as ""one who proclaims"" in the name of Christ and the Church will help shape our discussion. The course welcomes ecumenical perspectives. Opportunities for shared preparation (lectionary based) and actual preaching integrate the practical ministry of the preacher with the theological investigation. [Faculty Consent required; 12 max enrollment]