ACADEMIC NEWS
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’ m not ashamed to admit it . I was nervous . But I am so glad that I was a part of it .
Twenty-four new students were gathering in our satellite classroom at St . John Vianney Catholic Church on a warm September evening , and as each new face appeared , I had that nervous first-day-of-school energy coursing through my veins . My mind was racing , and my stomach was in knots . I closed my eyes , said a prayer of thanks , and welcomed the chaos of newness for a moment .
Never mind that I am a 46-year-old who has spent almost every year of my life taking or teaching courses . It didn ’ t matter . All of the jitters and anxious thoughts came flooding back like it was my first day of school all over again . Not because I was worried or ill-prepared . In my role as Director of Admissions , I had worked with all of these students as part of their application to Sacred Heart Major Seminary — I had learned their stories and heard how the Lord had brought them to this next step in their growth as disciples . And now , as their instructor , I felt the weight of the moment that was about to take place .
But not long after those first moments passed , the anxious uncertainty of this new beginning for all of us was replaced with grace , understanding , broader thinking , and deeper faith in Christ and his Church . The jitters gave way to laughter and thoughtful nods . The nervous energy was channeled into our passion to come to a deeper appreciation for God ’ s divine revelation and to unpack it , like a treasure chest , discovering the layers of richness beneath the surface .
This past fall , in partnership with many neighboring parishes , Sacred Heart Major Seminary began offering satellite courses at St . John Vianney Catholic Church in Shelby Township , a parish in the northeast suburbs of the Archdiocese of Detroit . Over the next three years , Seminary instructors will teach the six introductory theology courses that comprise our Certificate in Catholic Theology .
This latest venture is part of a decades-long tradition of Seminary faculty traveling to local parishes to offer courses for college credit , giving parishioners , staff , and clergy a chance to study close to home and to grow in their ministry and their own discipleship . Though not the first of its kind , this particular partnership could not have come from a more ideal place : a pastor ’ s heart .
“ Seminary courses give people confidence in their own discipleship — a chance to ‘ connect the dots ’ of their faith and understanding ,” Father Jim Grau told me recently . In March 2022 , I approached Father Grau when he was only months into his ministry at St . John Vianney . I led the meeting with the question , “ Is there more the Seminary can do to support you in your ministry ?”
He needed little time to think . “ I have several staff and
John Lajiness
If you or someone you know would like more information about future satellite course options , contact our admissions team at ( 313 ) 883-8696 or admissions @ shms . edu .
parishioners that would be perfect for seminary courses if we could host them here . Online opportunities are great . But I believe this community needs to gather again .”
About six months later , through the collaboration of many parishes and the Seminary administration , this pastor ’ s vision was realized .
But this isn ’ t just a story about ecclesial partnerships , success in logistical planning , or even the realization of a pastoral plan . This is a story about people who had an opportunity to meet Christ anew and experience the Church in a more profound way — people who , before this opportunity arose near their home , would not have had that chance .
Judy , a lifelong educator and self-proclaimed “ perpetual student ,” is clear in her opinion about these courses . “ I had been considering Sacred Heart courses for about two years ,” she said , “ but the drive was always the biggest deterrent . What I like most about this experience is that I ’ m learning with others and forming new relationships — a community .” Judy desired to understand the connections between Church teaching , scripture , and history . “ I ’ ve learned amazing amounts .”
Over the past few years , Michael had sensed a “ deep yearning for more ” when it came to understanding his faith . He was reading Catholic books and websites and watching videos , but he was still hungry to put the full picture together . “ I ’ m already reaping the rewards ,” Michael said when I last spoke with him . Even basic truths were being explained in new ways — like the fact that God , the Trinity , is in himself a relationship . “ It was so simple , like I should have known it a long time ago ,” but the way it was explained in class , “ I think about that every day now .”
Jon , a doctoral candidate at a protestant seminary , was speaking to a local priest about returning to the Catholic faith . He had been raised Catholic as a young child , but his family later connected with a different denomination . Now , 35 years later , that same priest encouraged him to consider the satellite classes . As Jon says , these courses are helping him “ graft my theological understanding to a Catholic lens .”
Sure I ’ ll admit it . That first night of class I was nervous — I think we all were . But every student I ’ ve spoken to reiterates the same idea — whatever jitters , doubts , or uncertainties we had going into the class were eclipsed by how glad we are to be a part of it . To quote Paul , a St . John Vianney parishioner enrolled in the courses , “ I learned more than I had in my entire life .”
Sacred Heart Major Seminary plans to launch more satellite programs at parishes , including St . Thomas More Parish in Troy , Mich ., in the fall of 2023 . Msgr . Tom Rice and the staff at this vibrant Oakland County parish are eager for Catholics in the area to have this opportunity to experience their faith in higher learning . Other locations will be announced soon .
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