Theology Mini-Courses
Theology, as St. Anselm said, is faith seeking understanding. Through a series of short courses taught by staff and visiting professors, we hope to both engage the mind and enflame the heart as we seek to understand more fully the wonders of Christ through the richness of our Catholic tradition.
Courses, Spring 2008
LEARNING TO FORGIVE:
Making our way to Good Friday and Easter Resurrection
Dr. Robert Enright, Professor
Department of Educational Psychology
University of Wisconsin-Madison
In this 5-week course, we will be exploring the principles involved in forgiving those who hurt us. This will be from a decidedly Catholic perspective. We first will examine the Biblical basis of forgiveness as seen in such passages as Joseph forgiving his brothers (Genesis 37-45) and the prodigal son story (Luke 15:11-32). We then turn to Catholic theology, particularly centered on Pope John Paul II's Apostolic letter, Salvifici Dolores, centered on redemptive suffering. We then turn to how your own forgiving is connected to the word of The Body of Christ. Practical points for forgiving those who have been unfair to you will be emphasized.
Professor Enright has been a member of the UW faculty for 30 years. He has won three distinguished teaching awards and was recently given one of the UW-Madison's highest awards, the Hilldale Aware for excellence in research, teaching and public service. He has been scientifically studying forgiveness for the past 23 years.
When and Where: Wednesdays 4:35 to 5:35pm, St. Paul's (Kutchera Library) February 13-March 12
CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
Dr. Connie Nielsen
Teacher, St. Ambrose Academy
Connie (Fr. Eric's sister) has a Ph.D. in theology from Marquette University, specializing in Catholic Social Teaching. She will present an engaging introduction to the rich, beautiful and challenging social teachings of the Church, which often go unnoticed by many Catholics today. The seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching are: 1) Life and Dignity of the Human Person 2) Call to Family, Community and Participation 3) Rights and Responsibilities 4) Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable 5) The Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers 6) Solidarity and 7) Care for God's Creation
When and Where: Mondays, 4:30-6:00pm. St. Paul's (Kutchera Library) 5 classes February 11-March 10
CATHOLICISM 101
Sisters Raffaella, Michela, & Cele
Apostles of the Interior Life
Who is God? Who is Jesus? How can I say that He is truly God? Who is the Holy Spirit? Why should I believe in the Church?
If you have ever asked yourself these and other questions and you would like to find answers, come to the Sisters' class. A presentation on the basic topics of the Catholic faith will be offered together with time for Q&A. Bring your friends and your questions!
When and Where: Sundays 7:15-8:30pm at St. Paul's (Kutchera) 4 Classes: Feb. 10, 24, March 2 & 9
CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS:
In Defense of Hope
Paul Mantenaer
Director of Religious Education
St. Ann Parish, Stoughton, WI
"Always be prepared to make a defense for the hope that is in you" (1 Pet 3:15)
In the last 500 years, we have seen a systematic rejection of the pillars of our faith: the Catholic Church under the guidance of the Successor of St. Peter, the divinity of Christ, the existence of God, and the existence of truth. Come join us as we demonstrate some of the preambles of our belief, learn more about the reasonableness of our faith and make a defense for the hope that is in us.
Feb. 12 Faith, Reason and Truth
Feb. 19 The Existence of God
Feb. 26 The Human Soul
Mar. 4 Liar, Lunatic, Legend or Lord
Mar. 11 Scripture and Tradition
Mar. 18 No class-Spring Break
Mar. 25 The Papacy and Infallibility
Apr. 1 The Eucharist and Mary
When and Where: Tuesdays 4:30-5:45pm 7 classes, dates above
ARE YOU SAVED?
Exploring the Catholic Understanding of Salvation
Andre Lesperance
Director of Student Ministries, St. Paul's
Has anyone ever asked you if you've been saved? How did/might you respond? What does God save us from? How does God offer salvation, and why would we want it? Do we "get to heaven" by "faith alone"? What role do "good works" play? What role do Baptism and other sacraments play/ How do we view non-Catholics and non-Christians in terms of the salvation question? Is there more to 'salvation' than the heaven/hell question? What's the deal with purgatory?
Whether we ponder these questions or not, we all have "embedded theologies" -hidden assumptions and attempted answers to these questions-that influence our experience of God, how we treat others, and how we view those of other faith traditions. In this class we will examine these embedded theologies, look at some history of the salvation debate, and explore what the Catholic Church currently has to say on the matter. Be prepared both to think and to be surprised.
When and Where: Thursdays, 4:30-6:00pm at St. Paul's (Kutchera Library) 4 Classes: Feb. 14, 28, March 6, 13
BIBLE TIMELINE SEMINAR
An 8 week, part DVD, part discussion-based overview of the 14 narrative books of the Bible, giving a bird's eye view of the story of our faith from the beginning of time, and helping us piece together all of the various elements of scripture, history and our lives as part of the greater story of God's interaction with humanity. This is the Jeff Cavins Great Adventure Bible Timeline that Catholics and others all over the country are using to make sense of the bigger picture of our faith tradition.
When and Where: Fridays 2:30-4:00pm at St. Paul's (Kutchera) 8 classes, starting Feb. 15, skipping Spring Break
Courses, Spring 2008
LEARNING TO FORGIVE:
Making our way to Good Friday and Easter Resurrection
Dr. Robert Enright, Professor
Department of Educational Psychology
University of Wisconsin-Madison
In this 5-week course, we will be exploring the principles involved in forgiving those who hurt us. This will be from a decidedly Catholic perspective. We first will examine the Biblical basis of forgiveness as seen in such passages as Joseph forgiving his brothers (Genesis 37-45) and the prodigal son story (Luke 15:11-32). We then turn to Catholic theology, particularly centered on Pope John Paul II's Apostolic letter, Salvifici Dolores, centered on redemptive suffering. We then turn to how your own forgiving is connected to the word of The Body of Christ. Practical points for forgiving those who have been unfair to you will be emphasized.
Professor Enright has been a member of the UW faculty for 30 years. He has won three distinguished teaching awards and was recently given one of the UW-Madison's highest awards, the Hilldale Aware for excellence in research, teaching and public service. He has been scientifically studying forgiveness for the past 23 years.
When and Where: Wednesdays 4:35 to 5:35pm, St. Paul's (Kutchera Library) February 13-March 12
CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
Dr. Connie Nielsen
Teacher, St. Ambrose Academy
Connie (Fr. Eric's sister) has a Ph.D. in theology from Marquette University, specializing in Catholic Social Teaching. She will present an engaging introduction to the rich, beautiful and challenging social teachings of the Church, which often go unnoticed by many Catholics today. The seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching are: 1) Life and Dignity of the Human Person 2) Call to Family, Community and Participation 3) Rights and Responsibilities 4) Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable 5) The Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers 6) Solidarity and 7) Care for God's Creation
When and Where: Mondays, 4:30-6:00pm. St. Paul's (Kutchera Library) 5 classes February 11-March 10
CATHOLICISM 101
Sisters Raffaella, Michela, & Cele
Apostles of the Interior Life
Who is God? Who is Jesus? How can I say that He is truly God? Who is the Holy Spirit? Why should I believe in the Church?
If you have ever asked yourself these and other questions and you would like to find answers, come to the Sisters' class. A presentation on the basic topics of the Catholic faith will be offered together with time for Q&A. Bring your friends and your questions!
When and Where: Sundays 7:15-8:30pm at St. Paul's (Kutchera) 4 Classes: Feb. 10, 24, March 2 & 9
CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS:
In Defense of Hope
Paul Mantenaer
Director of Religious Education
St. Ann Parish, Stoughton, WI
"Always be prepared to make a defense for the hope that is in you" (1 Pet 3:15)
In the last 500 years, we have seen a systematic rejection of the pillars of our faith: the Catholic Church under the guidance of the Successor of St. Peter, the divinity of Christ, the existence of God, and the existence of truth. Come join us as we demonstrate some of the preambles of our belief, learn more about the reasonableness of our faith and make a defense for the hope that is in us.
Feb. 12 Faith, Reason and Truth
Feb. 19 The Existence of God
Feb. 26 The Human Soul
Mar. 4 Liar, Lunatic, Legend or Lord
Mar. 11 Scripture and Tradition
Mar. 18 No class-Spring Break
Mar. 25 The Papacy and Infallibility
Apr. 1 The Eucharist and Mary
When and Where: Tuesdays 4:30-5:45pm 7 classes, dates above
ARE YOU SAVED?
Exploring the Catholic Understanding of Salvation
Andre Lesperance
Director of Student Ministries, St. Paul's
Has anyone ever asked you if you've been saved? How did/might you respond? What does God save us from? How does God offer salvation, and why would we want it? Do we "get to heaven" by "faith alone"? What role do "good works" play? What role do Baptism and other sacraments play/ How do we view non-Catholics and non-Christians in terms of the salvation question? Is there more to 'salvation' than the heaven/hell question? What's the deal with purgatory?
Whether we ponder these questions or not, we all have "embedded theologies" -hidden assumptions and attempted answers to these questions-that influence our experience of God, how we treat others, and how we view those of other faith traditions. In this class we will examine these embedded theologies, look at some history of the salvation debate, and explore what the Catholic Church currently has to say on the matter. Be prepared both to think and to be surprised.
When and Where: Thursdays, 4:30-6:00pm at St. Paul's (Kutchera Library) 4 Classes: Feb. 14, 28, March 6, 13
BIBLE TIMELINE SEMINAR
An 8 week, part DVD, part discussion-based overview of the 14 narrative books of the Bible, giving a bird's eye view of the story of our faith from the beginning of time, and helping us piece together all of the various elements of scripture, history and our lives as part of the greater story of God's interaction with humanity. This is the Jeff Cavins Great Adventure Bible Timeline that Catholics and others all over the country are using to make sense of the bigger picture of our faith tradition.
When and Where: Fridays 2:30-4:00pm at St. Paul's (Kutchera) 8 classes, starting Feb. 15, skipping Spring Break
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