Appropriating the Faith

AP • PRO • PRI • ATE: To take for one's own use; to render suitable.

FAITH (fa' th; fe' th):  A firm belief in what another states, affirms, or testifies simply on the ground of his truth or veracity; especially (as distinguished from mere belief), practical dependence on a person, statement, or thing as trustworthy; the assent of the mind or understanding to the truth of what God has revealed; belief in the testimony of God as contained in the scriptures.

APPROPRIATING THE FAITH is a program designed for those people who want to develop an ongoing understanding of their faith by way of thoughtful reception of the gospel tradition, critical reflection on its message, for the purposes of strengthening personal conversion to Christ and his Church.

APPROPRIATING THE FAITH is topically divided into the following four theological sections covering the essentials of the faith.

• The Notion of God and the Nature of Revelation

• The Jesus of History and the Christ of Faith

• The Sacraments: Signs of Faith and Grace

• Contemporary Catholic Moral and Social Thought
  
  
  

Course Syllabus

The Notion of God and The Nature of Revelation

• The Human Condition and the Phenomenon of God

• Israel and the Experience of God: Covenant, Torah, Cult

• Jesus: The Fulfillment of Revelation

• The Primitive Community:  The New Israel

• A Question of Interpretive Authority: Tradition and Scripture

The Jesus of History and the Christ of Faith

•  Jesus and His Jewish Contemporaries: First Century Phariseeism and Messianic Prophecy

•  Jesus and the Torah: A Crisis of Authority

•  Jesus: Death and Resurrection

•  Interpreting Jesus:  Authority and the Primitive Church

• The Gospel of Christ in the Gentile World

The Sacraments: Signs of Faith and Grace 

• Jesus and Sign: Scriptural Foundations for the Sacraments

• Symbol and Grace: Sacraments in the Patristic Period

• Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation

• Sacraments of Healing and Reconciliation

• Sacraments of Vocation

Contemporary Catholic Social and Moral Thought

• A Specific Catholic Morality?

• Human Acts: Foundations in Morality

• Moral-isms: Contemporary Moral Theories

• Sexual Ethics: Morality of Responsibility

• Social Ethics: Morality of Accountability
  
  
  

Options

OPTION # ONE -- A two week catechetical series based on the fundamental teachings of the Catholic Church.  This series is topically divided into four theological sections covering the essentials of the faith.  Fifty hours of teaching Monday through Friday, daily Liturgy and Sunday preaching.  See the complete course outline on the following page.

OPTION # TWO -- One week of catechesis based on a selection of two topics.  Twenty-five hours of teaching Monday through Friday, daily Liturgy and Sunday preaching.

OPTION # THREE -- One week of catechesis based on the RCIA Lectionary cycle.  The seasonal liturgical readings are the guidelines for theological inquiry, exegesis, and discussion.  Excellent for Advent, Lent, and Eastertide (Mystagogia).  Twenty-five hours of teaching Monday through Friday, daily Liturgy and Sunday preaching.

OPTION # FOUR -- One or two weeks of instruction based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, topically covered.  Twenty-five or fifty hours of teaching Monday through Friday, daily Liturgy and Sunday preaching.

OPTION # FIVE -- Weekend of catechesis based on any of the topics previously mentioned.  Selection is chosen by the pastor.  Six hours of teaching on Saturday, with preached liturgy.  Presiding at two Sunday Liturgies and preaching at all Masses.

Contractual Rate*

APPROPRIATING THE FAITH is conducted by Fr. Jude R. Eli, O.P. in conjunction with Western Dominican Preaching.  This program is secured by contract only.

• Option # ONE: $4,000

• Option # TWO & THREE: $2,000

• Option # FOUR: $2,000 - $4,000

• Option # FIVE: $800

 * Consideration is given to financially disadvantaged parishes.
    All proceeds go to the education of Western Dominican Priests and Brothers.

For further inquiry please contact:

Western Dominican Preaching
APPROPRIATING THE FAITH

Fr. Jude Eli, O. P.
5877 Birch Court
Oakland, California 94618-1626
Phone: (510) 682-8770
Office Phone: (510) 658-8722 ext. 307
Fax: (510) 658-1061