ACADEMIC NEWS
Online Formation for the New Evangelization
Before spearheading the
distance education program at Sacred Heart Major Seminary Dr . Matthew Gerlach , the Dean of the Institute for Lay Ministry ( ILM ), was quite skeptical about online learning for subjects like theology . “ I ’ m very traditional in terms of how I understand education ,” Gerlach explains . But after actually teaching a few online courses and seeing the impact such courses could have on students , he quickly became a convert , “ It ’ s a different type of learning but it can be a powerful way to learn , and to teach , with many benefits .”
Since launching their first fully online program a little over two years ago , the seminary has since expanded online offerings at both the undergraduate and graduate level . As a center for the New Evangelization for many years now , and encouraged by the vision in Archbishop Allen Vigneron ’ s Pastoral Letter Unleash the Gospel to form missionary disciples , Sacred Heart set out to expand its resources and expertise into online programming through the Institute for Lay Ministry . In the winter term of 2019 , the first free online learning course launched , a Lenten course entitled “ The Beauty of Belief .” It was an overwhelming success with over 3,000 enrolled from 46 states and 38 total countries . That success , and the ongoing commitment of Sacred Heart to offer the seminary as a resource for all Catholics in the archdiocese and beyond , inspired a robust commitment to offering a free , open online course several times per year , especially every Advent and Lent . Since the first in 2019 , six courses have been offered , largely the work of two current ILM staff : Mr . Ryan Cahill , Director of Distance Education and Online Learning and Melissa Pordon , Coordinator of Special Projects .
Gerlach sees this as an evangelistic endeavor , “ Through these non-credit courses the seminary can reach people and provide resources that have traditionally been kept inside classrooms .” Gerlach explains , “ It ’ s an opportunity for the laity to be enriched by what the faculty are bringing to the classroom .” Unlike the courses taken for credit , these courses cater to the average lay Catholic sitting in the pew looking to grow deeper in their faith or to supplement their ministries with more resources . They are a shallowentry , free , online course with widelyappealing topics .
“ The distinctive nature of their vocation calls the laity to engage in family , work , volunteering , civic responsibilities , and many other commitments ,” explains Gerlach . “ Managing all the complexity of lay life is already a challenge . So the question is : how does the Church reach people in the ordinary , busy circumstances of their lives ? How can we bring rich learning and formation experiences to where people are already ?” The answer to that question is found in courses such as those being offered by the seminary this Advent and Lent .
The Advent course will invite participants to better foster a relationship with Mary , who prepares the way for Christ ’ s coming . It includes a series of four lectures given by Dr . Robert Fastiggi , explaining what the Catholic Church believes about Mary . The lectures focus on Mary ’ s role in salvation history , the significance of her Perpetual Virginity , the Immaculate Conception , and the role of Mary as a spiritual mother , intercessor , and eschatological sign . There will also be four short presentations by other Sacred Heart professors on the different Marian apparitions approved by the Church . Along with each lecture , participants will find short quizzes , recommendations for further reading , and Scriptures for reflection and prayer , and a discussion board to share what they learn .
The 2021 Lenten course , “ Growing in Sexual Integrity ” will explore how all Catholics , regardless of state in life , are called to journey toward sexual integrity . Rather than viewing sexuality as an obstacle to our relationship with God , this course presents sexuality as an avenue of God ’ s grace . The six-week course will consist of six modules featuring videos by highly regarded speakers from a diversity of backgrounds , including seminary faculty , who share their personal stories and professional insights about their quest for sexual integrity and spiritual health , along with learning activities and resources on the topic presented . There are weekly discussion boards , a lectio divina exercise , a short quiz and a resource page with links to books , articles , and Church documents for those who wish to learn more . The course presenters are also all contributors to a book edited by Dr . Patricia Cooney- Hathaway , Sex and the Spiritual Life : Reclaiming Integrity , Wholeness and Intimacy just released this past September .
In addition to these Advent and Lenten online courses , a series of Catechist Formation courses are in the works and will be made available for the Catechist Formation Process for certification of parish and Catholic school catechists of the Archdiocese of Detroit . In collaboration with the AOD Catechesis Office under Sr . Kathleen Matz , Sacred Heart ’ s ILM will be offering four robust courses ( with a total of 20 modules ) structured around topics related to the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church : Profession of Faith , Celebration of the Christian Mystery , Life in Christ , and Prayer . Half the presenters will come from the seminary faculty , half from various ministries , parish leadership , or the Archdiocesan Evangelization and Mission Department . These courses are a central piece in a newly revamped Catechist Formation Process inspired by Unleash the Gospel .
24 Sacred Heart Major Seminary | Mosaic | Fall 2020 / Winter 2021