COURSES OFFERED:

• Theology of the Laity (Mar. 27 - Apr. 1)
• Principles of Christian Education (Mar. 27 - Apr. 1)
• Ecumenical Apologetics (Apr. 3 - 8)
• The Apostolate of the Christian Family (Apr. 3-8)
• Gospel of the Body & The Little Way (Apr. 18-22*)
• Ignatian Discernment (Apr. 24-29)
• TeenSTAR - Sexual Education Instructor Certification (Apr. 24-29)

REGISTRATION:

SCHEDULE:

1) Called for a Purpose: A Theology of the Laity (Jim Anderson)

An introduction to the Catholic Church’s teaching on the dignity, role, spirituality and mission of the lay faithful in the Church today.

• Discover the mind of the Church on the lay faithful through Scripture and Tradition, especially in the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, and the hearts of Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI.
• Understand the irreplaceable role and mission of the lay faithful in the New Evangelization and the Springtime of the Faith
• Learn principles of collaborative cooperation with priests and religious to better support the apostolic and pastoral life of your community, parish and family.
• Become a stronger catalyst of spiritual renewal in your unique spheres of influence in the world.
• Discover your unique call to the lay apostolate

2) To Know Christ Jesus: Principles of Christian Education (Nicholas Pierlot)

Christian education is first and foremost providing a person with the opportunity to have a relational encounter with the person of Jesus Christ and his transforming love and truth. This conference will provide students with a foundational understanding of catechesis and the philosophy of Catholic education, in light of the teachings of the Church on the subject, and the principles upon which to establish effective and dynamic catechetical ministry with children, youth, young adults and adults in a comprehensive model.

As well as the theological, pastoral and psychological principles, students will explore the practical aspects of catechetical ministry--pastoral approaches that can be applicable in a wide variety of situations: family, parish, school, ministry, and business.

3) Ecumenical Apologetics: Being Apostles of Hope (Matt Nelson)

Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence." (1 Peter 3:15)

• Learn to speak to the heart of those who would like to believe in God, to believe in Christ, understand the Catholic Church, and be actively faith-filled.
• How can we answer the questions like: Can you prove the God exists? Was Jesus divine? Why does the Catholic Church teach _____? What about the reality of evil in the world?
• How do we respond charitably to the divisions that exist among the disciples of Jesus today.
• How can the work of defending the faith really be used in service of unity among all believers?
• How can apologetics be used in service of building authentic Christian unity? How can apologetics be truly ecumenical?

"Welcome the new springtime which the Spirit is now bringing about in the Church… In his gifts the Spirit is multifaceted…He breathes where he wills. He does so unexpectedly, in unexpected places, and in ways previously unheard of… but he also shows us that he works with a view to the one body and in the unity of the one body." Pope Benedict XVI

4) Holy Family: The Apostolate of the Christian Family (Jim Anderson)

"As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live." Blessed Pope John Paul II

The family has been described as the “fundamental building block of society.” This conference will provide an introduction to the Catholic Church’s teaching on the dignity and nature of the Christian family, and the Christian family’s irreplaceable role, responsibility, and mission in the modern world. Conference participants will reflect with particular attention on the Apostolic Exhortation of Blessed John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio. Conference participants will come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the vocation to marriage and family life in this time of the New Evangelization and the Springtime of the Faith.

5) The Gospel of the Body and the Little Way: Living St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body with the Help of St. Therese of Lisieux (Pre-recorded sessions Christopher West; Facilitated by Nick Pierlot)

Using resources* from world renowned author and speaker Christopher West, join us as we unpack the Theology of the Body, Pope St. John Paul II’s integrated vision of the human person—body, soul, and spirit—as male and female. These teackings will be augmented through reflection upon the wisdom and insight of St. Thérèse of Lisieux — an exclusive component compiled by Christopher West specifically for this course at St. Therese Institute!

In an intimate environment of study and prayer, following the St. Therese students’ way of life, participants discover the deep significance of: what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God; why God created us male and female; how the physical union of man and woman is innately oriented toward life and love; and how this union is the essential foundation for a life-affirming society, all in the light of the doctrine of spiritual childhood and the Little Way of St. Thérèse.

We can come to an understanding of human existence only through a proper understanding of human sexuality. West’s presentation of Theology of the Body in the context of St. Thérèse thought and spirituality can enable students to live more wholly integrated lives and discover that seeing the world through the lens of ToB is a key to deep rooted peace and joy.

*pre-recorded video lectures, and accompanying course book.

6) An Introduction to Ignatian Discernment (Fr. John O'Brien, SJ)

Join St. Therese School of Faith and Mission Students for a week of instruction, workshop, prayer and reflection on an Introduction to Ignatian Discernment.

In this series of teachings drawn from the rich spiritual tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola, you will receive formation in how to...

• Identify the origins of spiritual influences on your interior life in order to respond properly to them and grow in holiness.
• Use the Rules for Discernment of Spirits as presented in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
• Establish the essential conditions in your spiritual life in order to discern God’s will for you.

This course is suitable for those whom have never studied the Ignatian principles, and as a refresher for those whom have had previous experience in Ignatian Discernment.

Following this introduction to Ignatian Discernment , the full-time students enrolled in the St. Therese Nine-Month Faith Formation Program will continue their study of Ignatian Discernment with second week of practical application in a guided, week-long, Ignatian retreat.

7) TeenSTAR: Sexuality Teaching in the context of Adult Responsibility – Teacher Certification Course – (Sr. Genevéive Gadbois, FM)

The program's name, Teen STAR (Sexuality Teaching in the context of Adult Responsibility) expresses the mission of the program. According to Dr. Hanna Klaus (OB/GYN and foundress of the Teen STAR Program), Teen STAR gives teenagers and young adults "concrete ways of responding to the corresponding emotional changes and pressures," while empowering them through a better understanding of their own biological fertility patterns. It is a powerful tools to live out the teaching of the Church on what is often called "Theology of the Body".

TeenSTAR (www.teenstar.org) is a developmental and age- and gender-appropriate curriculum for sexuality education for ages preteen to college-aged. The curriculum is rooted in sound moral, psychological and physiological principles, which uses the Billings method of understanding human fertility patterns "to teach responsible decisionmaking and communication skills in the area of sexual behavior and enhances teens' self-understanding and self-esteem." The TeenSTAR curriculum is consistent with the moral teachings of the Catholic Church on human sexuality and the understanding of the nuptial meaning of the human body as expressed in a theology of the body. TeenSTAR is taught effectively in countries throughout the world and can be offered in both secular and religious contexts.

TeenSTAR was developed in the 1980's by Sr. Hanna Claus, MD, an OB/GYN doctor, consecrated religious with the Medical Mission Sisters, and Director of the Natural Family Planning Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

This one week certification workshop will enable students to teach the TeenSTAR curriculum as a part of their individual apostolate. Registrants must be 18+.

 *Details for these marked items were updated no April 11, 2022, specifically to correct wrong information posted. All courses end 4:00pm on Fridays (not 12:pm noon). Checkout by 5:00pm Friday (not 2:00pm). ToB week ends on Friday April 22, not Saturday April 23.