Certificate in Catholic Catechesis

Saint Joseph’s College offers a Certificate in Catholic Catechesis for those serving as parish catechists or teaching the Catholic faith in the Catholic school system, as well as those interested in general adult faith formation.

Program Highlights

• This program professes fidelity to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the doctrine and heritage of the Roman Catholic Church.
• The curriculum provides a theological education for those who seek to serve the needs of the Catholic Church and society.
• Students develop an understanding and appreciation of the Catholic faith.
• The curriculum is derived from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Curriculum (Six 1-credit courses)

TH 106 - Foundations of Catholic Doctrine

An introduction to the concept of Divine Revelation, its sources, and its relationship to human reason. The course considers the importance of a Catholic catechesis on creation for one’s understanding of the meaning of life (its origin and end), and how different beliefs about creation result in conflicting worldviews.

TH 107 - Liturgy and Sacraments

An introduction to the theology of the sacraments, including the biblical roots and the relationship to the Paschal Mystery of each of the seven sacraments. The course examines the conditions for valid and fruitful sacramental participation.

TH 108 - Catholic Spirituality

An introduction to Catholic spirituality and the vital role of liturgy within it. The course examines the theological aspects of prayer that are distinctively Catholic and the variety in expression of prayer in the Christian life. It offers guides to a fruitful life of prayer in the Church.

TH 109 - Catholic Moral Theology

An introduction to the foundations of Catholic moral theology. The course explores the concepts of the dignity of the human person, the vocation to beatitude, freedom, and conscience.

TH 110 - Introduction to Sacred Scripture

An introduction to the revelation of God through His Word. The course offers a summary of the story of the covenant, and introduces the major figures and events of salvation history.

TH 111 - The Trinity and the Church

An introduction to the doctrine of the Trinity and its revelation in the person of Jesus Christ. The course examines the Trinity as a communion of persons united in love and explores the Incarnation as the means by which this love is made known to human beings and by which human beings are brought into union with the divine life through the Paschal Mystery.