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Theology
THEO165 Foundational Theology I 1 credit
This course provides students with a broad overview of foundational Catholic doctrines and beliefs,
their bases in Scripture, and their historical development within the Church. This course helps students
gain a basic, theological understanding of God’s self-revelation in creation, Scripture, and the person of
Jesus; the basic principles of Christian anthropology (e.g., nature, grace, sin, redemption); the historical
and faith dimensions of the life, mission, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; and the Christian
doctrine of the Trinity.
THEO170 Pastoral Theology and the Practice of Ministry I 1 credit
This course assists students in understanding themselves as persons and ministers, and in developing
personal and pastoral skills which support effective and faith-filled ministry, and which foster healthy
and constructive ministry relationships. Students are first invited to reflect on their own personalities
and personal development, and then to relate these insights to their ministry exploring areas such as
communication and listening skills, conflict management and confrontation, consensus-building, and
group process and collaborative skills.
THEO175 Foundational Theology II 1 credit
This course continues the work begun in THEO170 Foundational Theology I in providing students
with a broad overview of foundational Catholic doctrines and beliefs, their bases in Scripture, and
their historical development within the Church. This course helps students to gain a basic, theological
understanding of the nature and mission of the Church; the history and foundations of Christian
spirituality; the Church’s teaching on, and devotional practices relating to, Mary; and the place of canon
law in the Church’s life.
THEO180 Pastoral Theology and Practice of Ministry II 1 credit
This course provides students with a basic understanding of the dynamics of spiritual growth and how
to support and nurture such growth. The first session examines how a person’s faith may change and
develop over the adult life cycle. In this context, the relationship between spiritual growth and pastoral
care is considered. The second session explores two means of nurturing faith and spiritual development:
theological reflection – a process of relating faith to our life experiences; and spiritual direction – the
sharing of one’s spiritual journey with a trained spiritual guide.
THEO181 Prayer and Spiritual Foundations for Ministry 1 credit
This course provides students with a reflection on, and exploration of, the essential and central role that
individual and communal prayer and ongoing spiritual formation have in the lives of lay ministers in the
church. Students are led in examining the question: How can I, as a lay minister, come to an ever deeper
awareness and experience of God’s redeeming activity at work in my life – through prayer, discernment,
and spiritual formation – and then integrate this awareness and experience into my ministry?
THEO182 Moral Theology and Catholic Social Ethics 1 credit
This course provides students with an introduction to the church’s teaching tradition in the areas of
moral theology and social ethics. The scriptural, theological, and philosophical foundations and
principles for Catholic moral teaching, conscience formation, and decision-making is examined,
especially with a view to applying this teaching in a pastoral context. The development of the church’s
social teaching tradition is also be explored as it relates moral principles to the common good and to
issues affecting the broader needs and well-being of the community.
THEO183 Pastoral Theology and the Practice of Ministry III 2 credits
In this course, students reflect on their calling and vocation as lay leaders in the life of the Church. The
first session explores the dynamics of leadership in relation to ministerial settings. It assists students
in working effectively in church systems and structures (e.g., parish, diocese, etc.), and helps them to
reflect on the gospel call to be “servant leaders” faithful to the example of Jesus. In the second session,
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