Church Ministries courses offered

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
August 27, 2006

With a desire to provide the fundamentals in Scripture and theology, the Diocese of Sioux City continues to offer the Church Ministries Program.

The Church Ministries Program is a series of theology courses offered in collaboration with Briar Cliff University.

"The Church Ministries Program has been offered since 1988," noted Bev Hurni, director of the Office of Adult and Family Ministries. "Over 550 people have participated through the years."

Hurni mentioned that the program consists of a core six theology courses, with three offered each year.

"It started after the renew process. People were very interested in learning more about their faith and wanting to go deeper," she explained. "This is a deeper program in the sense that these are academic, college-credit courses. People can choose whether they want to receive college credit or not - but it's a wise option because they will never get a better price for college theology courses than this."

Some people opt to take these courses as they work toward a college degree and others take it merely for their own faith enrichment.

"This is a good, foundational program for people who are new to ministry," said Hurni, who added that many deacon aspirants take these courses. "It is a good foundational program for Catholic school teachers, especially if religion is part of their teaching responsibilities."

All of these courses will be presented from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Parish Center in Early.

The first course to be presented this year in the Church Ministries Program is Old Testament. It will be presented on Sept. 16, 30, Oct. 14, 28 and Nov. 11. Taught by Father Patrick Walsh, Old Testament will offer a guided tour through the Hebrew Scriptures; the Torah, the Writings and the Prophets.

The second course - Introduction to Ministry - will be taught by Sister Rose Hacker and Bev Hurni. Class will be held on Dec. 2, 16, Jan. 13, 27 and Feb. 10. This course is an introduction to the continuation of ministry and message of Jesus. It will explore the historical developments of the Catholic Christian ministry from Scripture and post-Vatican II church and models and definitions of church.

The final Church Ministries course to be offered for the year is Sacraments. Class dates are March 3, 17, 31 and April 14 and 28. Sister Michaela Galles will teach this course that will investigate the sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church from theological, historical and pastoral perspectives.

"Not only do people learn knowledge basic to Scripture and theology, but within the class they learn how to reflect and apply it to today's world and their lives," said Hurni.

Along with the Church Ministries Courses, two liturgical courses will also be available. The first is Liturgical Theology. Taught by Father Bruce Lawler this course will examine the ritual prayer of the church and the principles that guide its celebration. The course will be presented on Sept. 9, 30, Oct. 14, 28, and Nov. 11.

A second liturgical course will be presented in the spring. Initiation & Eucharist, also to be taught by Father Lawler, studies the Catholic Church's initiation sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. This course will be taught on March 3, 17, 31, April 14 and 28.

"These classes might be particularly helpful to those on liturgy planning committees, liturgists or RCIA teams," said Hurni.

Persons interested in a Church Ministries brochure and registration form may secure one on the Web at:

http://www.scdiocese.org/CMP-LCBrochure2006-2007.pdf.

People are asked to register at least one month prior to the start of the class. There is a registration fee of $85 for each course. Books are approximately $60 per course. There is a fee of $125 if people wish to take the Church Ministries courses for college credit. No college credit is available for the liturgical courses. Grants are available to Catholic schoolteachers, to people in parish leadership and those aspiring to become permanent deacons.

If people have questions, they can call Sandi at (712) 233-7530.