Course Catalogue 2026-2027

This course considers the sacraments of the Catholic Church as the means whereby Christians are mystically united to the life of Christ. While a historical approach places course material in context, direct attention is focused upon the theological dimensions of Christ as the primordial sacrament, the Church as the sacrament of Christ, and the sevenfold sacraments as privileged, engraced ways of encountering the risen God-ma

This course will include a comprehensive overview of both the Middle Ages and the Reformation Era, including: the critical movements of Catholic renewal and reform during the Middle Ages, including the study of the Crusades, the development of monasticism is the medieval period, encountering heresy, social life, and the flowering of the Renaissance. The course will also engage with the central Reformation movements encouraged by figures such as Erasmus, Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin, the special circumstances of the English Reformation(s), and the spiritual renewal of the Counter-Reformation. Particular attention will be placed on the age of exploration and the globalization of the Catholic faith, as well as issues around colonialism. A special emphasis is placed on the use of primary sources, which will aid students to better understand the historical realities of the period being studied and learn how primary sources may be used in historical research.

In a world where rehabilitation and transformation are often overlooked, this course delves into the vital role of spiritual care within the correctional context. "Spiritual Care and Transformation: Ministering to Incarcerated Souls" is an enriching exploration of the spiritual dimension of rehabilitation, designed for students at the intersection of theology and psychotherapy. Throughout this course, students will embark on a profound journey, discovering the unique challenges and opportunities in ministering to incarcerated individuals. We will delve into the complexities of mental health, the impact of incarceration on the human spirit, and the transformative power of faith and spiritual care within correctional facilities.

Pastoral Counselling for the non-professional counsellor engaged in ministry. The goals of the course include acquiring basic counselling skills, developing awareness of counter-transference and exploring how to refer to other professionals.

This course builds on the content of KNP1512, Foundations in Counselling and Spiritual Care, and has been designed to prepare students for practicums that integrate spiritual care and/or psychospiritual therapy. Students will gain an understanding of the impact of spiritual struggles and how spiritual listening and engagement with spiritual practices and beliefs can foster healing and wholeness. Students will be exposed to theological perspectives on spiritual care, the history of care of the soul, and ideas on the experience of spiritual pain as a force for transformation or despair. The themes of professional formation and communication styles will be discussed. Students will experience a variety of contemplative spiritual healing practices such as writing a lament, walking the labyrinth, and the practice of awe. The second half of the course will review and build on skills covered in core MPS courses with a focus on experiential learning to further prepare the student for their practicum. Skills may include but are not limited to building (and repairing) the therapeutic alliance, spiritual assessment, clinical documentation, engaging in spiritually integrated psychotherapy.

As an introduction to the major mental disorders, this course aims to prepare students for working with clients with serious mental health problems in private, institutional and community settings. The course focuses on a biopsychosocial and spiritual understanding of mental health and well-being. Utilizing the holistic approach to mental health, this course will explore classifications and symptomatology of the more severe and chronic forms of psychiatric disorder, their etiology and nature, and their diagnosis. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) will be used as a reference point. The students will also be introduced to the critical influence of culture, class, race and ethnicity, religion, and social values of the individual, family, group, and social institutions in the assessment of mental health disorders. The course will critically review current classification systems and major theories regarding the nature of mental disorders, their diagnoses and etiologies, the treatment approaches available to help people in their recovery, and culturally relevant variables. As a result, the students will be able to critically utilize terminology and concepts in the DSM-5 and identify best practices in psychotherapy practice.

This course is an exploration of the following themes in the light of Christian revelation: creation, the human person, sin, grace, and eschatology.

This course is an exploration of the following themes in the light of Christian revelation: creation, the human person, sin, grace, and eschatology.

This course focuses on personal contemplative prayer as essential for our relationship with God and the soil out of which healthy and effective ministry grows. The course covers Biblical teaching on prayer; the contemplative tradition arising from the early desert fathers and mothers; spirituality, theology and psychology of prayer; and various Christian traditions of prayer including lectio divina, Ignatian prayer, other forms of scripture prayer, centering prayer, Christian meditation, and the awareness examen. The course concludes with suggestions for planting and growing a prayer-based parish ministry. The course is offered at the SSJD convent in North York.

The course begins by looking at what the church is from an historical, biblical and functional perspective with special attention being given to the context in which it exists and to the epochs of Christianity as laid down by David Bosch. Then an examination of evangelism is given which defines it and looks at its history. Afterwards a theology of evangelism is explored with a focus on missio Dei. Then the practice of evangelism, as it is practiced in the church today, Is examined. The course closes by looking at both challenges and opportunities going forward. This is done with an in-depth look at the Missional Church Movement, Demographics and Marketing, Bernard Lonergan's concept of mutual self-mediation and giving some practical tools.

The course begins by looking at what the church is from an historical, biblical and functional perspective with special attention being given to the context in which it exists and to the epochs of Christianity as laid down by David Bosch. Then an examination of evangelism is given which defines it and looks at its history. Afterwards a theology of evangelism is explored with a focus on missio Dei. Then the practice of evangelism, as it is practiced in the church today, Is examined. The course closes by looking at both challenges and opportunities going forward. This is done with an in-depth look at the Missional Church Movement, Demographics and Marketing, Bernard Lonergan's concept of mutual self-mediation and giving some practical tools.

Using various methods of interpretation, this course offers a more focused approach to the Synoptic Gospels, and the Book of Acts. Special attention will be paid to the themes and theology of each book, including an examination of authorship, date, and context. An exegetical study of select texts will guide some of the discussion.