what they learned. Students were invited
to share insights with their classmates in
the online discussion and relevant scrip-
ture passages were provided each week
with instructions on how to reflect on
them in Lectio Divina-style prayer. Each
week links to online readings from the
Catechism of the Catholic Church and
other helpful sources were available as
well as lists of recommended resources for
further study.
Sacred Heart’s primary goal was to sup-
port Unleash the Gospel by providing a
rich but easy educational and formational
experience for Catholics in the archdio-
cese and beyond. In addition, the semi-
nary hoped to share news of Sacred Heart
activities and raise awareness of the semi-
nary as a resource for all Catholics in the
archdiocese.
A survey of students at the end of the
course found that almost 14 percent had
not heard of Sacred Heart Major Semi-
nary before. This non-credit course also
appears to have stoked a fire in many of
the participants with many “Beauty of
Belief” students continuing in other aca-
demic courses at the seminary.
“Beauty of Belief” is just the beginning.
In July, Sacred Heart offered a three-
week introduction to the Mission of the
Laity. The instructors, Dr. Gerlach and
Dr. Gresham, both bring experience in
educating and forming laity as missionary
disciples. Each week was dedicated to one
of the three traditional roles: priestly, pro-
phetic, and royal; as well as the ways the
laity are called to live these roles – both in
the Church and the world.
Upcoming courses include one during
the Advent season taught by Dr. Dan-
iel Keating based on his new book “The
Adventure of Discipleship.” This course
invites students to respond to the adven-
turous call of discipleship in the gospels
as illuminated by great adventure stories
like J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, C. S.
Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, as well as popu-
lar movie and comic book heroes.
STUDENT COMMENTS SHOWED
APPRECIATION FOR THE CONTENT
AND THE CONVENIENCE OF THE
ONLINE FORMAT:
This was my first course and I completely enjoyed it.
It was just what I was looking for leading up to Easter.
As a busy working mom I LOVED that I could do this
online at my convenience.
This six-week course was amazing. I so appreciated hav-
ing this opportunity to participate in adult faith edu-
cation and from your beautiful seminary. Every week
was an engaging, fulfilling, educational, uplifting ses-
sion that I enjoyed and looked forward to…Thank
you, thank you, thank you.
It has been such an honor and joy to be a part of this
class. It was a wonderful experience. There are so many
excellent resources... The quizzes were fun!
Thank you very much to the Sacred Heart Major Sem-
inary faculty and staff for this online program and
sharing their expertise and spirit-filled presentations.
I’ve taken advantage of other online resources, but
I missed the discussion portion. So in general, this
course has allowed me to continue learning about the
Faith and grow spiritually by participating actively (as
opposed to passive learning).
W H O W E S E RV E D :
2,957
Active Participants
46
States
38
Countries
These and other upcoming courses can be
found by visiting www.equip.shms.edu.
shms.edu
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