Course Catalogue 2024-2025

This is an integrative course that seeks to harness the student's past and current vocational experiences, and learned theories and practices through the Master of Sacred Music program culminating in a project that reflects the student's vocational intention and leadership ability for ministry.

This course will examine the biblical, theological, spiritual, historical, and liturgical roots of the celebration of Holy Orders and the Holy Eucharist in the ordinary form of the Roman Rite and develop a comprehension by the students of the present form of its liturgical celebration. Students will be required to demonstrate an understanding of the course's content through written assignments and in class presentations. Successful candidates will have the capacity to communicate course content in a ministry setting.

This course is intended to prepare candidates for ordination to preside at the liturgical celebrations of the Roman Rite.

How does the biblical portrayal of Jesus relate to the narrative movement(s) of the Hebrew Bible? To what extent do the OT themes of exile and return, old age and new age, help deepen our understanding of the birth and crucifixion of the Messiah? If we worship Jesus, are we to worship his humanity as well as his divinity? Does Mary’s encounter with Gabriel, who is a named presence in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament only in the Book of Daniel, indicate that her conception of Jesus is to be read apocalyptically? Is it significant that Elizabeth initially greets Mary with words otherwise associated with Jael and Judith? These are some of the exegetical and theological questions we will consider in this engagement with issues at the edge, and at the heart, of contemporary Christology. Conversation partners will include: James Dunn (Did the First Christians Worship Jesus?), Jane Schaberg (The Illegitimacy of Jesus), and N.T. Wright (The Day the Revolution Began).

How does the biblical portrayal of Jesus relate to the narrative movement(s) of the Hebrew Bible? To what extent do the OT themes of exile and return, old age and new age, help deepen our understanding of the birth and crucifixion of the Messiah? If we worship Jesus, are we to worship his humanity as well as his divinity? Does Mary’s encounter with Gabriel, who is a named presence in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament only in the Book of Daniel, indicate that her conception of Jesus is to be read apocalyptically? Is it significant that Elizabeth initially greets Mary with words otherwise associated with Jael and Judith? These are some of the exegetical and theological questions we will consider in this engagement with issues at the edge, and at the heart, of contemporary Christology. Conversation partners will include: James Dunn (Did the First Christians Worship Jesus?), Jane Schaberg (The Illegitimacy of Jesus), and N.T. Wright (The Day the Revolution Began).

The course intends to examine the dialogue between spirituality and culture in a post-modern world. It will trace the development of faith from the end of the mediaeval period to the present time and show why the narratives of our time with regard to spirituality are situated in that historical context and how they affect a reading of and engagement in our world today. Students will be presented with 1. a knowledge of contemporary critical theory and praxis. 2. development of research skills. 3. an exposure to the main issues of contemporary faith and culture. 4. an exposure of the ways these issues are dealt with in contemporary art/film/poetry. 5. A way of appropriating their lives through interiority analysis. For Basic Degree Students: class participation and papers. For Advance Degree Students: active, intelligent and focused class participation, short papers and a major paper.

A 200-hour supervised program to deepen and/or extend the personal and ministerial growth of IFM IMAMS participants. Several options available to students in consultation with Directors of IFM and MAMS programs.

This course uses the book of Amos as a means of introducing the covenantal values that lay beneath Israel's approach to social justice. Through a site visit and classroom activities, students will reflect on the Church's call to social justice and the way in which this can be realised in the lives of individuals and congregations. Additional emphasis will be placed on the content and shape of the book of Amos and the task of interpreting it as Scripture of the Church.

The course introduces the student to the dynamics of grace presented in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, situating the Exercises both in their historical context and within its interpretations in contemporary culture. The goal of this course is 1. to prepare a student to engage in the role of directing the spiritual exercises, 2. to allow the student to understand the dynamics of these exercises, 3. to see the underlying anthropology and theology of these exercises. Although not a pre-requisite, some personal experience of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius would be an asset.

This an introduction to the main concepts and terminology developed by thinkers between the fifth and fourteenth centuries. Special attention is given to scholastic philosophy. We will cover topics such as the relation between faith and reason, the existence and nature of God, human life and happiness, virtue and vice, and the difference between divine and human law.

Secondary Practicum in Spiritual Direction: A two-week intensive course consisting of integration of theory and practice of spiritual direction. A model of non-residential Retreat in Everyday Life is used for this practicum.

Study of theory and practice of spiritual direction, and of depth psychological, humanistic, and cognitive behavioural therapeutic practice. Emphasis on Christian tradition.