Looking to expand theology knowledge? 
Register now for fall Church Ministries course

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
July 28, 2005

Summer is almost over and that means students will be headed back to the classroom before long. In some cases these students will be adults, looking to enrich their knowledge of the Catholic faith through the Church Ministries Program.

According to Bev Hurni, director of adult and family ministries for the diocese, the Church Ministries Program is a series of six theology courses taught over two years. These courses provide the foundation basics of Scripture and theology to foster and deepen the faith commitment of any Catholic adult.

While some take the courses as a means to enrich their own knowledge, others do so because of the leadership or ministry positions they hold in parishes. Still others opt to take the classes for college credit through Briar Cliff University. The Church Ministries Program is also a requirement for men seeking to become permanent deacons and Catholic school teachers are encouraged to take the courses.

"I would encourage anyone who is involved in some type of formal ministry with the church - paid or volunteer - particularly directors of religious education, youth ministers, pastoral ministers, liturgists and people who are on various parish committees to take the courses," said Hurni. Parish catechists, she added, might want to take the courses.

Each fall, the Church Ministries Program starts out the year with a Scripture course.

"The Scripture course is always a prerequisite for the classes that will follow later in the year. They provide good, foundational information to help participants understand the next courses," noted Hurni.

This year's Scripture course is New Testament and next year it is the Old Testament.

"The courses are offered in a format where the class meets five times for an extended period of time rather than a typical college course where students would meet several times a week for many weeks," noted Hurni. "This format is meant to help people who have jobs and family commitments."

Students are expected to attend every class.

The New Testament is the body of sacred, inspired writings of the earliest Christians that are foundational for all Christian denominations. Taught by Father Patrick Walsh, president of the Catholic Schools of Sioux City, New Testament will provide a background for understanding the origin, historical and cultural setting, and composition of the New Testament. Secondly, it will enhance the faith of participants by deepening their insights into the spiritual richness of the Sacred Scriptures.

New Testament classes will be held on Sept. 17, 24, Oct. 8, 22 and Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart Parish Center in Early.

The next course in the series will be Morality. Taught by Father Nickolas Becker, this course will investigate the good act and the cultivation of the good person. The course should ground students in official Catholic moral theology, probe the nature and role of the Bible as a moral resource, identify and explain the different models of Catholic moral theology, and use these models to analyze contemporary moral issues.

The dates for the Morality course are Dec. 3, 17, Jan. 7, 21 and Feb. 4. Again, each class will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart in Early.

This year's spring Church Ministries course is Church History. To be taught by Sister Michaela Galles of Briar Cliff University, this study of the church includes theological, historical and pastoral investigations of the community of believers.

Classes for Church History are slated for March 4, 18, April 1, 22 and May 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Early.

Next year's courses will be Old Testament, Introduction to Ministry and Sacraments.

"If people's intention are to the take all six courses, they can begin either this year or next fall," said Hurni.

The Church Ministries Program, a collaborative effort between the Diocese of Sioux City and Briar Cliff, was established in 1988 to provide "sound theology for people who are doing ministry in our parishes," noted Hurni.

Cost of the course is $85 with a $45 non-refundable payment due upon registration. Books will cost about $60 dollars more and the Briar Cliff fee for college credit is $125. Please register one month prior to each course. For the upcoming New Testament course, people are asked to register by mid-August.

Teachers in the Catholic schools are eligible to apply for a grant from the Catholic Schools Foundation to cover a portion of their expenses and others may wish to apply for financial assistance through the diocese's Partners in Empowering Leadership.

For more information, contact the Office of Adult and Family Ministries at (712) 233-7530. The registration form is available on the diocesan Web site - www.scdiocese.org.