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The University of Dayton
Catechist Formation Program
2011-2012
Overview
Spirituality:
Grounding in the Mystery of God
September 2011
Spirituality and Religion:
Challenges and Opportunities
Rev. James Heft SM
This article focuses on the current conversations
that flow regarding the questions of the relationship and
perspectives individuals are articulating regarding spirituality
and religion today. We explore both the conversation and a
creative response for Catholic educators and Catechist to
address the issues and questions that students may pose in our
faith formation programs.
October 2011
Schools of Spirituality
Bill
Johnston, PhD
This article focuses on select spiritual traditions
and practices within our Catholic Treasury. There are many
schools of spirituality from which individuals or communities
have imagined pathways for perusing their divine quest for
nurturing a deeper relationship with God. Here we will explore
a few dominant pathways that offer us valuable clues for
supporting our spiritual journey along the way of our life.
November/December, 2011
An Introduction to the Great
Spiritual Classics
Rev. John McGrath SM
This article is an introduction to a few of the
Great Spiritual Classics that have inspired Catholic Christian
Spirituality over many years. Catechists and Catholic educators
need to familiar with the wisdom flowing from these classics. We
need to set time aside to become more acquainted with the
spiritual clues that may inspire us to mature in the spiritual
life. These are primarily clues. Each one of us must define a
pathway that is designed for us alone. Possible classic
selections to choose from could be: St. Ignatius Loyola, St. Theresa of Lisieux, St. Bernard of Clairvax,
St. Frances de Sales, St. John of the Cross, Thomas a Kempis,
Thomas Merton, St. Augustine, St. Benedict, Blessed John
Henry Newman, or others.
January, 2012
Spirituality
and Popular Culture
Vincent Miller, PhD
We live in a rapidly accelerating culture of
distraction. Speed, immediacy, connectedness and relativity can
prevent us from nurturing a deeper reality of connectedness with
God and one another. How is spirituality influenced by popular
culture? What is the meaning of popular culture? How does
popular culture influence the naming and living a particular
spiritual reality each day? These are important realities that a
catechist today must face as they strive to cultivate a deeper
communion with God amidst a culture of distraction.
February, 2012
Spirituality and World Religions
Sr. Judith Martin
There are many expressions of spirituality found in
various world religions. The globalization of our world,
particularly through media, is heightening our consciousness to
how spirituality is experienced and expressed in diverse world
religions. It is imperative for catechists and Catholic
educators to be acquainted with these expressions. First,
knowledge helps us to understand and appreciate the diversity
and similarity of the religions; and, second, it enables us to
know how to dialogue with them. Here are hidden clues for
nurturing a culture of non-violence, respect and dignity.
March, 2012
Spiritual Heroes for the 21st Century
Michael Daley, MA
Today the Vatican seems busier than ever raising
our consciousness of ordinary women and men who have lived
extraordinary lives. John Paul II canonized over 130 in his 25
years and Benedict is keeping pace. The Church identifies
blessed and saints not for their benefit but for the Churchs
sake to show that holiness is possible in every century,
every walk of life, every part of the globe and every
circumstance of life. We discover from the saints that there is
only one holiness (Gods) though there are different ways of
reflecting and living a holy life. Chapter Five of Vatican IIs
Dogmatic Constitution on the Church is entitled The Universal
Call to Holiness.
This article introduces our readers to the importance of
Catholic heroes - called Saints - and approaches for incorporating
a study of the lives into our catechetical programs.
April/May, 2012
E-Spirituality--Resources and Best
Praxis
Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski
E-Spirituality is advancing as Social Networking, expanding
e-applications (apps) and growing access to the Internet is
becoming the norm in our lives. Every day copious new websites
and resources are projected into cyberspace offering a vast menu
of immediate pre-packaged spiritual programs that can be
implemented into our catechetical programs. This article
addresses the meaning and impact of E-spirituality within the
catechetical field. Clues for identifying the best e-resources
and praxis that are making a difference within catechetical
experiences will be explored.
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Formation Main Page
Posted 04.26.09
Last Update: 06.07.11
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