Kenrick School of Theology

"Whatsoever is true, honorable, or just, whatsoever is pure, lovely, or of good grace,
if there be any note of excellence, anything worthy of praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

NAB

CCC

I applied and was accepted as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Omaha the summer of 2005. I began classes that fall semester at Conception Seminary College in Conception, Missouri. (For information about my studies at Conception go to my CSC page.) I graduated from the two year Pre-Theology program in the spring of 2007 with a second degree in Philosophical and Theological Studies. I have discerned, with the help of the Church, to continue formation in preparation for the priesthood. I began fall of 2007 at Kenrick School of Theology in St. Louis. Below are the classes I am taking and what I am studying. (Course descriptions are taken from the Kenrick Catalog. The descriptions may only partially represent what is actually covered in the course since course material and teaching style is developed between semesters.) Read my past letters giving a summary of my time in the seminary. Check my reflections on my blog.

(Since my previous website is no longer available, I have now uploaded my Physics Pages and my Conception Academic Pages here for your studying enjoyment.)

Semesters
Theology I		Theology II	Theology III	Theology IV
FA 2007	IPF 2008	FA 2008	FA 2009	FA 2010
SP 2008	MA Thesis	SP 2009	SP 2010	SP 2011

Spring 2010
Class	Description	Year
Summative Evaluation Seminar	The Summative Evaluation Seminar 2 (spring semester, 1 credit) is designed to assist students in the preparation of a first draft of their master’s theses or comprehensive exam answers in partial fulfillment of the ordination requirement. The specific focus of the course will be on the integration of quotes relevant to the ideas each is intended to support and the completion of a first draft of the entire project. Envisioned outcomes: a development of the thesis paper or examination questions, a completion of the thesis or examination questions by the semester’s end.	SP10
Modern and Contemporary Chruch History	A general survey of the history of the Church in the Modern and Contemporary periods. Envisioned outcomes: an understanding of the historical roots of the present divided state of Western Christianity; an appreciation of the social, devotional, and theological currents arising from the late medieval struggle for reform; a sense of the complexity of the Church’s interaction with absolutism, scientism, rationalism, and enlightened thought; an understanding of 19th century movements such as liberalism, nationalism, and ultramontanism, and of their effect on the Church; an understanding of the 20th century modernist crisis and its aftereffects; an appreciation of the historical developments leading up to the Second Vatican Council.	SP10
Spiritual Theology and Spiritual Direction	A three part study: first, a consideration of the tenets of traditionally Catholic spiritual theology with attention given to the three processes of purification, illumination, and union; second, a consideration of prayer as faith, trust, and surrender to God with focus on John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, and Elizabeth of the Trinity; third, a consideration of spiritual direction with emphasis on its aim, importance, and qualities required of the director. Envisioned outcomes: a knowledge of the principals of Catholic spirituality; an exposure to an in-depth consideration of prayer; an appreciation of the importance of priests being “specialists in promoting the encounter between man and God ( Benedict XVI); a knowledge of the purpose of spiritual direction and its importance in the life of every Christian.	SP10
Liturgy of the Eucharist	A consideration of the Mass of the Roman Rite and the Mystery of the Eucharist: its origin and shape in the early centuries; components of the Mass of the Roman Rite considered from historical, liturgical, theological, rubrical, and pastoral perspectives especially as evidenced in the Eucharistic Prayer. Excursus on the dogmatic theology of Real Presence; on Eucharist as Sacrifice; on the relationship between the Last Supper, the Lord's Supper and the cross. Attention will be given to the worship of the Eucharist outside of Mass. Envisioned outcomes: an understanding of the biblical foundations of the mystery of the Eucharist, of the teaching of Tradition and the magisterium through the centuries, and of the contributions of systematic theology, both traditional and contemporary; a more focused understanding of the contemporary magisterium's teaching of the Eucharist, from Pius XII through the Ecclesia de Eucharistia and Redemptionis Sacramentum; a renewed appreciation for certain doctrinal truths, especially the Mass as a sacrifice and the real presence and the importance of Eucharistic Adoration.	SP10
Marriage and Orders	An historical and systematic overview of the sacraments of Marriage and Holy Orders, An examination of the Rite of Marriage and the Rites of Holy Orders. Envisioned outcomes: a knowledge of the Church’s doctrine concerning Marriage and Holy Orders; a familiarity with the creative teaching of Pope John Paul II on these subjects; a critical sense of the sources of contemporary difficulties with these subjects; an ability to articulate a positive and personally compelling rationale for the Church’s understanding and practice on these subjects; an understanding of the structures and symbolisms of the rites of Marriage and Holy Orders.	SP10
Marriage Preparation		SP10
Deacon Practicum	A practical preparation for the liturgical ministry of the deacon, based on the normative liturgical documents of the Church. Envisioned outcomes: an understanding of the role of the presider in public worship; awareness of the rubric for presiding at public celebrations of the Liturgy of the Hours; awareness of the rubrics for presiding at infant baptisms, Christian funerals, and Christian marriage; an understanding of the Book of Blessings; an understanding of the norms for celebrating Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.	SP10
Supervised Ministry IIIb	A concentration on religious education, particularly classroom teaching. Can additionally include teaching in RCIA, RCIC, and/or Parish Adult Education programs.	SP10

Fall 2009
Class	Description	Year
Summative Evaluation Seminar	The Summative Evaluation Seminar 1 is designed to assist students in the compilation of a bibliography for their master’s theses or comprehensive exam questions in partial fulfillment of the ordination requirement. The specific focus of the course will be on the collection of quotes relevant to the point or purpose of the project and the development of a comprehensive outline and introductory chapter. Envisioned Outcomes: an ability to develop a cohesive thesis statement or examination questions, an understanding of the outlining process, an ability to synthesize and collate significant quotations from appropriate sources to support the thesis or examination questions.	FA09
Marriage, Family, and Sexuality	An investigation of authentic Catholic thought on the family and human sexuality, and an introduction to Natural Family Planning for clergy. Envisioned outcomes; a familiarity with the anatomy, physiology, and theology of the body in the context of conjugal love; a knowledge and understanding of the virtues of family life and sexuality as found in Tradition and Scripture, and as presented in the teaching documents of the Church; an understanding of the relationship between conscience and truth in sexual ethics; an understanding of the relationship between life and love in sexuality and marriage, with special emphasis on the role of the modern science of Natural Family Planning in the maintenance of the conjugal relationship. This course is conducted in collaboration with the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction, Omaha, Nebraska, the leading center for the scientific study of NFP in the United States. Medical consultants, educators, and practitioners of Natural Family Planning participate in the presentation of materials. At the conclusion of the course, students will receive a certificate issued jointly by Kenrick School of Theology and the Pope Paul VI Institute, Omaha.	FA09
Advanced Homiletics	An advanced-level study and practicum in the art and skill of preparing and preaching homilies. Envisioned outcomes: a familiarity with various homiletic resource materials; a knowledge of the verbal and non-verbal dynamics involved in public communication; an ability to derive homiletic themes from any given set of lectionary readings; an ability to synthesize homiletic themes theologically and creatively, and to present them attractively; an ability to integrate social justice issues into one’s preaching; an ability to listen to oneself critically, to hear oneself as the congregation does; a facility with the elements of storytelling and the language of story as a vehicle for showing one’s faith; an ability and willingness continually to update one’s development as a minister of the Word.	FA09
Pastoral Issues	An in-depth investigation of counseling issues such as alcoholism, co-dependency, sexual abuse, marital infidelity, and other frequently presented client concerns. Special attention to crisis work with aging adults, terminally ill patients, family survivors of suicide, and incest victims. Envisioned outcomes: advance counseling skills in interpretation, intervention, and appropriate confrontation.	FA09
Religious Education	An introductory study in catechesis which covers the essential elements of education. This course will emphasize the catechetical vocation to make disciples of Jesus, with the broader pastoral view of formation and care in the life of faith in all its dimensions. Envisioned outcomes: An ability to organize and orient catechetical methods and materials effectively in conveying doctrinal truth; an ability to creatively teach the faith primarily through the spoken word, employing illustrative techniques; an ability to evaluate oneself critically, to hear oneself with an awareness of students’ cultural and social environment; a facility to catechize dynamically and personally to all age levels: children, young people, and adults.	FA09
Grief Counseling	An in-depth investigation of the grieving process, with specific attention to the role of the pastoral intervention in complicated grief. Envisioned outcomes: a variety of counseling strategies for assisting the bereaved, including circumstances such as suicide, multiple, accidental, or child death; an ability to facilitate mourning tasks for those in denial, depression, and the throes of grief; an awareness of loss issues in the context of life transitions such as unemployment, divorce, infidelity, retirement, disability, and terminal illness; an enhanced consciousness of the student’s own Personal Death Awareness (PDA).	FA09
Fides et Ratio	I am auditing this class.	FA09
Deacon Practicum	Class to learn how to function as a transitional deacon. This class started half way through the semester and will continue next semester.	FA09
Supervised Ministry IIIa	A concentration on religious education, particularly classroom teaching. Can additionally include teaching in RCIA, RCIC, and/or Parish Adult Education programs.	FA09
ITEST	I was given the opportunity to attend The Institute for Theological Encounter with Science and Technology 2009 Conference: "Environmental Stewardship in the Judeo-Christian Tradition"

Spring 2009
Class	Description	Year
Prophetic Literature	A survey of the development of Israelite prophecy, with a focused study of selected prophets, prophetic texts, and their historical contexts. Envisioned outcomes: a familiarity with the works which comprise the major and minor prophetic writings of the Old Testament; an understanding of how the message of the prophets was influenced by the historical periods in which they were each immersed; an appreciation of the prophetic vision of God’s Word active in history.	SP09
Baptism and Confirmation	An exploration of foundational issues in liturgy and sacraments: the nature of liturgy, the Trinity in the liturgy, nature and reality of the sacraments. An overview of the history and spirituality of the liturgy. An investigation of basic questions in sacramental theology. Building on this foundation the course studies baptism and confirmation from a historical, liturgical, theological and pastoral perspective. Particular attention is given to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and its relationship to the Rite of Baptism for Children.	SP09
Social Ethics	An investigation of the meaning of justice in Catholic tradition, teaching, and theology. Envisioned outcomes: an understanding, based in Tradition and Scripture, of the good of the human person in relation to society and the common good; an understanding of the meaning of the virtue of justice in the thought of St. Thomas; a familiarity and conversance with the social encyclicals and the social teaching of the Second Vatican Council; a thorough knowledge of the natural law on the issues of labor and capital, private property, and the universal destination of created goods. Format: lecture and discussion.	SP09
Introduction to Canon Law	An introduction to the nature and history of canon law; an investigation of selected canons in Book One of the 1983 Code of Canon Law (cc.1-128); an investigation of the power of government in the Church, focused in the hierarchical constitution of Church, as found in Book Two of the 1983 Code (cc. 330-572). Envisioned outcomes: an appreciation for the role of Canon Law in the life of the Church; an ability to interpret the law, given the context and subject matter of a particular Canon; a sense of canonical equity as a tool for the work of a shepherd in the Church; an ability to fulfill the function of Church leadership by empowering the people of God in their rights and obligations.	SP09
Introduction to Homiletics	An introductory study and practicum in the art and skill of preparing and preaching homilies. Envisioned outcomes: a familiarity with various homiletic resource materials; a knowledge of the verbal and non-verbal dynamics involved in public communication; an ability to derive homiletic themes from any given set of lectionary readings; an ability to synthesize homiletic themes theologically and creatively, and to present them attractively; an ability to integrate social justice issues into one’s preaching; an ability to listen to oneself critically, to hear oneself as the congregation does; a facility with the elements of storytelling and the language of story as a vehicle for showing one’s faith; an ability and willingness continually to update one’s development as a minister of the Word.	SP09
Ministry in a Hispanic Cultural Setting	A general overview of key elements in ministering to the Hispanic people, especially as they differ from a more traditional perspective; popular religiosity, role of men and women, family structure, leadership, immigration, demographics, liturgy, preaching evangelization, and special issues. We will approach this study primarily from the point of view of the documents of the U.S. Catholic Bishops on Hispanic Ministry in the U. S.: National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry - 1987. Other key documents, from both the universal Church and the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, will also be included. Envisioned outcomes: an awareness of and sensitivity to the specific needs of the Hispanic community, a desire to look for ways to initiate a process to help include this community in the larger church community.	SP09
Priestly Identity, Celibacy and Ethics	A continuation of the study of the life and identity of a priest. An examination of the professional ethics of the ordained ministry. A consideration of the doctrine and theology of the requirement of priestly celibacy in the Western Church. Envisioned outcomes: an appreciation of the vocation to the priesthood; a knowledge of the ethics of the ordained ministry; an awareness of the theology of celibacy.	SP09
Supervised Ministry IIb	A concentration on care of the elderly, homebound, sick and dying. Includes home visits and hospital and nursing home ministry.	SP09

Fall 2008
Class	Description	Year
Pauline Literature	An exegetical survey of the 13 letters of the Pauline tradition. Envisioned outcomes: an ability to interpret the letters as literary-rhetorical communications within their milieu of Greco-Roman culture and Jewish apocalyptic eschatology; an ability to derive key concepts, themes, and messages from these texts for personal formation and pastoral ministry.	FA08
Anthropology, Sin and Grace	An historical survey of theological reflection on the life of grace in the Christian tradition. An overview of key developments: scriptural sources, especially Paul; patristic sources, including the Greek Fathers; the Pelagian controversy and Augustine’s highly influential response; the theology of Thomas Aquinas; the position of Martin Luther and the response of the Council of Trent; contemporary theologies of grace; the anthropology of the Second Vatican Council’s constitution, Gaudium et Spes. Envisioned outcomes: an ability to distinguish and relate the many layers of theological meaning in the term, “grace”; an appreciation of all grace as a gift of Christ, the New Adam, who reveals man to himself; an appreciation of the fundamental but fragile unity of the human person, and of the restorative, liberative, and elevating aspects of the gift of grace.	FA08
Fundamental Moral Theology	An investigation of the elements of Catholic moral teaching in the magisterial documents of the Church, particularly in the documents of the Second Vatican Council, in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and in the Encyclical Veritatis Splendor. Envisioned outcomes: an understanding of the influence of Scripture, especially the Pauline letters and the Sermon on the Mount, on Christian ethics; an understanding of the moral teaching of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, particularly on the relationship among virtues, grace, and law; an understanding of the influence of nominalism on contemporary moral theology; and an understanding of the relationship among freedom, conscience, and truth.	FA08
Pastoral Theology		FA08
Latin I		FA08
Science and Theology		FA08
Supervised Ministry IIa	A concentration on care of the elderly, homebound, sick and dying. Includes home visits and hospital and nursing home ministry.	FA08

Institute of Priestly Formation 2008
Class	Description	Year
Christian Prayer and Virtue		IPF08
Christian Spirituality and Sexuality		IPF08
Spirituality of the Diocean Priesthood		IPF08
Mystery of the Liturgy		IPF08

Spring 2008
Class	Description	Year
Synoptic Gospels and Acts	An exegetical survey of the three Synoptic Gospels. Envisioned outcomes: an introduction to the current state of research on the Synoptic Gospels, an understanding of the spiritual implications of the Gospels’ writings on the New Evangelization and the preaching munus, an appreciation of the Gospels as literary-rhetorical communications with an oral pattern addressed to first century Mediterranean audiences, an ability to exegete passages for use in preaching and pastoral ministry, an ability to articulate major Synoptic theological themes and concepts.	SP08
Medieval and Reformation Church	A general survey of the history of the Church from Charlemagne to the Reformation. Envisioned outcomes: an understanding of the Muslim invasion of the west and the influence of Feudalism on the church; an appreciation of the rise of religious orders, the beginnings of the university system, and the great scholars; an understanding of the causes of the Western Schism, the rise of Protestantism, and the church’s reformation.	SP08
Pastoral Counseling		SP08
Christology and Soteriology	An examination of the doctrinal theology of the central mystery of the Christian faith, Jesus Christ. After a review of methodological considerations, an historical approach begins with New Testament Christology, continues with Christology in the Tradition, focusing on patristic-conciliar and medieval Christology, and concludes with the Christological teaching of the contemporary Magisterium, especially as presented by the International Theological Commission and the writings of Pope John Paul II. Envisioned outcomes: a knowledge of the foundations of Christology in the sources, both scriptural and historical; an overview of the development of subsequent Christological thought to the present time; an understanding of the contemporary Magisterium’s contribution to Christology; an appreciation of Christology as the lynchpin of theology; a growing ability to reflect on the Christological foundation of priestly identity, ministry, and spirituality.	SP08
Ecclesiology and Ecumenism	An examination of the theology of the Church from a Eucharistic and Trinitarian perspective. Topics include: the mission of the Church and the nature of evangelization; the structures of the Church; the relation of the churches to one another; the magisterium; the necessity of the Church for salvation; the Church as the universal sacrament of integral salvation. Envisioned outcomes: an ability to think theologically about the mystery of the Church, one, holy, catholic, and apostolic; a thorough familiarity with the documents of the Second Vatican Council concerning the Church, especially Lumen Gentium, Unitatis Redintegratio, and Ad Gentes; a familiarity with selected current theological approaches to ecclesiology.	SP08
Liturgical Formation II	A continuation of Liturgical Training I, with specific focus on the Word and the Eucharist, based upon the Lectionary, the circular letter for Holy Week, and Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist outside of Mass. Envisioned Outcomes: an understanding of the liturgical calendar, especially the unique celebrations of Holy Week; an understanding and appreciation for the worship of the Eucharist outside of Mass; knowledge of the ritual for taking Communion to the hospitalized and homebound. Application of all the above to the ministries of Reader and Acolyte; an understanding of these ministries and an ability to execute them correctly and prayerfully.	SP08
Supervised Ministry Ib	A concentration on pastoral care of the poor, such as the St. Vincent de Paul Society or charitable outreach within the parish.	SP08
Hebrew	Postponed until further notice.	SP08

Fall 2007
Class	Description	Year
Pentateuch and Historical Books	A survey of the Pentateuch and the historical literature of the Old Testament, with a focus on three key events in the history of ancient Israel: the Exodus, the United Monarchy, and the Exile. Envisioned outcomes: a familiarity with the major traditions of the Pentateuch; an ability to distinguish the features of Chronicler’s history from the Deuteronomist’s history; a generic recognition and appreciation of the diverse ways in which biblical authors speak of their experience of God; an ability to read and interpret the Old Testament responsibly as both literature and sacred text.	FA07
Patristic Church	A general survey of the history of the Church in Patristic and Medieval Periods; highlights Tradition as “all that the Church is and believes" (DV 8); gives special attention to seminal contributions of the Fathers and significant developments in the Medieval Church. Envisioned outcomes: a deeper understanding and love of the Church as it is today; a habit of reading critically, with a sense of history; an understanding and love of the Fathers of the Church, and of their seminal contributions to the Church’s life; an understanding of the Church’s everyday dynamism and struggles in these eras, especially with heresies and various types of movements; a sense of the importance of the councils in the history of the Church, as an example of the bishops exercising their office in communion with one another, a pattern which endures to this day; a sense of the organic rise of the papacy as a service to unity in the universal Church; an historical understanding of the division of the Eastern and Western Churches.	FA07
Fundamental Theology and Biblical Hermeneutics	An examination of major themes in fundamental theology, namely: religious experience and the question of God; revelation; faith and its expression in creeds and doctrines; Tradition; Scripture; magisterium. A presentation on culture and its relation to theology. Envisioned outcomes: an understanding of the individual teachings and the unified vision of Dei Verbum and the Catechism of the Catholic Church; the establishing of a common theological foundation and vocabulary for the further study of systematic theology at Kenrick School of Theology; an appreciation for the role of culture in the transmission and interpretation of revelation; a critical appreciation of the difficulty of belief in contemporary culture; an understanding of the challenges of the new evangelization.	FA07
Intro to Liturgical and Sacramental Theology	This course is an introduction to the liturgical/sacramental life of the Church with an exploration of the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. The class explores foundational issues in liturgy and sacraments: the nature of liturgy, the Trinity in the liturgy, nature and reality of the sacraments. An overview of the history and spirituality of the liturgy. An investigation of basic questions in sacramental theology. Building on this foundation the course studies baptism and confirmation from a historical, liturgical, theological and pastoral perspective. Particular attention is given to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and its relationship to the Rite of Baptism for Children.	FA07
Liturgy of the Hours		FA07
Intro to the Spiritual Life of the Priest	Human Component: An interactive study of Affective Maturity, that is, the place of love in the life of a seminarian involving the entire person in all his aspects including an education for sexuality which, “should be truly and fully personal and therefore should present chastity in a manner that shows appreciation and love for it as a ‘virtue that develops a person’s authentic maturity and makes him or her capable of respecting and fostering the ‘nuptial meaning of the body,’’’ (Familiaris Consortio 37, as found in PDV 44). Envisioned outcomes include an understanding of, and an appropriate lived response to, God’s love for us and our response; types of relationships; components of healthy relationships; responsibilities in relationships; self-knowledge and personal identity; and intimacy. Spiritual Component: An interactive study of the basics of the spiritual life. Envisioned outcomes: a better understanding of and encouragement in the regular practice of prayer (active and passive prayer), examen, devotional confession, reading of scripture (lectio divina and active reading), and spiritual reading; an appreciation of the relationship of the pastoral charity of a seminarian (namely, his commitment to study) to the spiritual life.	FA07
Choir Practicum	Training in vocal and choral techniques, for use principally in liturgical settings.	FA07
Liturgical Formation I	A basic introduction to the mechanics of liturgy, based on the Ordo, the Sacramentary, and the Liturgy of the Hours. It includes a unit of musical, vocal, and choir training. Envisioned outcomes: an enhanced ability to participate in the Mass and the Hours; an ability to prepare specific weekday and Sunday liturgies; skill in organizing and preparing the worship space for the celebration of liturgies; knowledge of the rubrics for serving at Mass at the seminary and in a parish; familiarity with the music repertory of the seminary’s liturgies and an ability to participate in liturgical song; a sense of personal and communal comportment in the activities of liturgy; a cultivated sense for the esthetics of liturgical environment. Format: Lecture, practicum, and actual participation in various liturgical roles.	FA07
Graduate Research and Writing	A class in which we learned about gradute level writing. We split into groups to integrate a philosophical area with teachnology and the priesthood. My group explored the metaphysics of online environments.	FA07
Supervised Ministry Ia	A concentration on pastoral care of the poor, such as the St. Vincent de Paul Society or charitable outreach within the parish.	FA07
Hebrew		FA07
ITEST	I was given the opportunity to attend The Institute for Theological Encounter with Science and Technology 2007 Symposium: "Astronomy/Cosmology Breakthroughs And The God Question"