New Frontiers in Preaching Academy

 

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Calendar Cohort 2025

Student Orientation: February Date
Graduation: June 28 – 29
Mentorship Program:
       Mentor/Mentee Orientation, September 2025
       Mentorship Program Begins, October 2026

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Course Schedule 2025

Pastoral-Theological Foundations of Preaching

    Course Dates: Feb. 17 – Feb. 28, 2025

    Instructor: timone davis, DMin

    Course Description:

This hybrid course (synchronous/asynchronous) examines the pastoral and theological foundations of preaching. Guiding and framing this study leads the student to the question of how preaching is evangelization. As such, the course will exhort the preacher to be intentional in connecting the Good News of Jesus Christ to the “signs of the times” vis-à-vis the reality of the people of God. A central learning outcome of the course is to provide insights into the art and science of preaching, especially in relationship to and in dialogue with the preaching tradition of Aquinas Institute of Theology and The Aquinas Way.

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Preaching the Bible:

    Course Dates: March 10 – March 21, 2025

    Instructor: Danielle Harrison, MA, JD

    Course Description:

This hybrid course (synchronous/asynchronous) examines concrete ways in which the Sacred Scriptures inspires, informs and guides preaching. This approach leads the student to the question of how to effectively integrate the Scriptures in preaching. As such, the course will exhort the preacher to be intentional in the use and interpretation (exegesis) of Scriptures, especially in relationship to the reality of the Black Catholic experience or lived reality. Central learning outcomes for the course are to provide insights and best practices related to the use of Scripture in preaching, as well as provide contextual knowledge of the Word of God in the Black Catholic ecclesial experience.

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Black Catholic History/Culture and Preaching

    Course Dates: March 24 - April 4, 2025

    Instructor: Fr. Manuel B. Williams, CR, MDiv, ThM

    Course Description:

This hybrid course (synchronous/asynchronous) examines the identity and place of the preacher in the community. Guiding and framing this study leads the student to the question of who the preacher is.  As such, this course exhorts the preacher to reflect on and come to greater understanding of his/her vocation as preacher in and for the Black Catholic community. Central learning outcomes for the course are to provide insights that can deepen the preacher’s own sense of integrity as preacher, “giving voice” (e.g., preacher as prophets, teachers, healers etc.) in the historical and cultural context of the community.

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Black Catholic Liturgical Preaching

    Course Dates: April 21 - May 2, 2025

    Instructor: Fr. Maurice Nutt, CSsR, DMin

    Course Description:

This hybrid course (synchronous/asynchronous) examines preaching in its liturgical context.  Its approach leads the student to deeply understand the Catholic Liturgical Calendar year in preaching. As such, this course exhorts the preacher to grow in his/her ability to integrate the diverse themes, feasts and celebrations of the larger Catholic community in his/her preaching, with particular emphasis on the pastoral-theological principles and praxes of inculturation. Central learning outcomes for this course are to provide insights to better integrate social pastoral issues into the liturgical season, as well as the Black Catholic cultural devotions, traditions, and other liturgical celebrations.

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Preaching Practicum

    Course Dates: May 5 - May 23, 2025

    Instructor: Fr. Maurice Nutt, CSsR, DMin

    Course Description:

This hybrid course (synchronous/asynchronous) examines the distinct modalities and contexts of preaching. Guiding and framing the “practicum” are practical considerations for effective delivery of the preaching content.  As such it exhorts the preacher to be attentive to the mechanics and best-practices associated with excellent preaching (space, sound, posture, etc.). Central learning outcomes for this course provide insights for effectively engaging the different cultural audiences (e.g., digital, in-person, generational, etc.), modalities (virtual or real time), and context in preaching.

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Acompañantes / Thought Leaders

Acompañantes / Thought Leaders in Black and Hispanic Ministry assist in assessing and guiding the priorities of the Preaching Academy by providing sustained pastoral accompaniment, intercultural competence, and direct connections to networks and communities of support. Key activities of the Acompañantes / Thought Leaders include identifying and recruiting potential students, advocating and promoting the Preaching Academy’s Mastery in Preaching Certificate Program in their faith community and professional networks.

Our Thought Leaders

Dr. F. DeKarlos Blackmon, Past Supreme Knight of the Knights of Peter Claver, Inc.
Ms. Donna Grimes, Assistant Director, Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church, USCCB
Deacon Lawrence Houston, Associate Director for School Faith Formation, Archdiocese of New Orleans
Dr. Kimberly Lymore, Convener, Black Catholic Theological Symposium
Deacon Mel Tardy, Academic Adviser, University of Notre Dame

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Mastery in Preaching Certificate Program

For Permanent Deacons and Pastoral Leaders serving the Black and Hispanic Catholic communities.

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• The certificate program invites you to a five-course academic learning experience designed to increase your intercultural competence and excellence in preaching, as lived in The Aquinas Way.

• Participants will engage courses through a hybrid learning environment connecting you to expert faculty informed by the preaching tradition of Aquinas Institute of Theology.

• The learning experience includes access to a network of peer preachers, mentors and resources dedicated to excellence in preaching for parish vitality and ongoing professional development.