Broaden your mind and feed your spirit with Aquinas Institute of Theology’s 2011 Summer course and workshop offerings. We offer credit, audit and non-credit opportunities; check the individual program listings below for details.
Tuition: $415/credit (audit $285), unless noted differently
To register for Summer Session courses or workshops, click here for a PDF form.
PSTD576 “Awakening the Creative Spirit in Spiritual Direction and Retreat Ministry”
Ginger Andrews, R.S.M. (AI D.Min.)
(1 credit, June 13 – 17, 9:00 am – noon: M and F at Aquinas Institute and T, W, and Th at Mercy Center; limited to 20 students)
Experience a variety of art modalities to enhance your creative expression in the quest for deeper relationship with the Divine. The class will engage in watercolor, labyrinth walking, body prayer, poetry/creative writing, and cosmic storytelling with reflection on these experiences as revelatory of the Sacred.
HOMD575 “Preaching Prophetically: Media Literacy for Preachers when the News Disturbs”
Rev. Audrey Borschel (AI D.Min.)
(2 credits, June 6 – 10, 9:00 – 11:30 am, 1:00 – 3:30 pm)
By studying Dr. Borschel’s book, Preaching Prophetically When the News Disturbs: Interpreting the Media (Chalice Press, 2009), in dialogue with the Bible and hometown newspapers, the class will learn tools for distinguishing facts from biases in media and acquire confidence for preaching prophetically when the local or global news is disturbing to the congregation.
“MIND512 Spiritual Direction Practicum IA”
Harry Byrne, O.P., Ginger Andrews, R.S.M., and Marian Love
(2 credits, June 20 – 24, 9:00 – 11:30 am, 1:00 – 3:30 pm)
This spiritual direction certificate course is taken in consecutive summers. It involves the practice of spiritual direction with directees and includes reflecting on this experience with a supervisor.
PSTD575 “An Introduction to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola”
Marian Love
(1 credit, May 23 – 27, 9:00 am – noon)
If you are a spiritual director, retreat or prayer leader, or are interested in gaining a better understanding of the Spiritual Exercises, this course will explore St. Ignatius’s experience of God that made a radical difference in his life.
HSTD500 “Church History I: Power, Politics, and People of Faith”
Sarah Sparks
(3 credits, completely online, May 23 – August 12, one week break at July 4)
This completely online course will expose students, within a historical context, to major theological, political, and social/cultural developments from antiquity to the end of the Middle Ages. The interaction of Christianity with Judaism, Islam, and other world religions also will be considered.
STHD532 “Ecclesiology”
Carla Mae Streeter, O.P.
(3 credits, May 23 – June 9, M–Th, T–F, M–Th, 1:00 – 4:00 pm)
This study of the Church surveys those major biblical, doctrinal, and theological themes used in history to define the Church, as well as the unique contributions of Vatican II and issues such as globalization, the changing shape of ministry, the role of laity, evangelization, and ecumenism.
Workshops – Non-credit
If you are interested in registering only for one of our non-credit workshops, click here.
“On the Common Good: A Retreat Aimed at Conversion for Leaders in Catholic Healthcare”
Jean deBlois, C.S.J.
(Th–F, July 14 – 15, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm)
—$285 (one day $150), materials, continental breakfast and lunch provided
The principle of the Common Good is one of the most misunderstood concepts in Catholic social thought. This retreat
will explore the deep meaning of the principle of the Common Good vis-à-vis the reign of God and its call to all people into deeper communion.
“Preaching Difficult Issues: Challenges, Risks, and Hopes”
José Santiago, O.P., M.S.W., D.Min.; F. Javier Orozco Ph.D. (Archdiocesan Director of Hispanic Ministry); and Fr. Dan Harris, C.M., D.Min.
(non-credit workshop, $200, July 5 – 7; T 1:00 – 4:00 pm; W 9:00 am – 4:00 pm; Th 9:00 am – noon)
—special rate $200
This workshop has been prepared primarily for parish priests and deacons. Bishops’ documents will be examined with a view to preaching on issues of immigration, domestic violence, and substance abuse in families.
“Un Retiro y Taller sobre el proceso de RICA para Parroquias Hispanas—en Castellano (Retreat and workshop on the RCIA Process for Latino Parishes—in Spanish, special rate $100)”
José Santiago, O.P. , M.S.W., D.Min.
(Un taller sin-crédito, $100, 8 – 9 de Julio, Viernes 6:30 – 9:00 pm; Sábado 9:00 am – 4:00 pm)
Participantes pasaran sobre el proceso de RICA celebrando los ritos en las etapas de Evangelización, Catecúmeno, Purificación y Iluminación, y Mistogogia. Examinaremos la diferencia entre un programa y un proceso para completar los sacramentos de bautismo, eucaristía, y confirmación para adultos y jóvenes. (Participants will go through the RCIA process by celebrating its rites through the stages of Evangelization, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogy. We will examine the difference between a program and process.)