LIVING MINISTRY/ CCRS

MODULE OUTLINES

SACRAMENTS

Aim
The purpose of this module is to develop participants' understanding and appreciation of Sacrament in the life of Catholics as a sign of Christ's continuing presence with the Church .

Learning Outcomes

Participants should :

recognise the symbolic use of word and action in daily life

understand the relevance and purpose of the seven sacraments in the life of the individual and the Christian community

appreciate Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist as sacraments of Christian initiation

appreciate the sacraments as celebrations of the covenant relationship between Christ and the Church

be able to communicate what they have learned from an adult stance .

Learning Process

This will include:

reflection on personal experience

related input to deepen understanding

the gathering of information through reading and listening

group discussion .

Syllabus Outline

Study of the use of signs and symbols in daily life

Reflection on the Church as the sacrament of Christ's presence

An overview of the seven sacraments

Study of the process and sacraments of Christian initiation .

Assessment for CCRS Students

Participants will be credited with this module upon satisfying both of the following conditions:

Attendance for at least 80% of the ten hours' contact time

Successful completion of an Assignment based on some aspect of the content of this module and related to one or more of the identified learning outcomes .

Recommended Reading

Contemporary Catholic Theology: a Reader
edited by Michael A Hayes & Liam Gearon, 1998 Gracewing

Catechism of the Catholic Church
1994, Geoffrey Chapman

The Book of Sacramental Basics
Tad Guzie, 1981, Paulist Press

Scripture, Sacrament, Spirituality
Michael T Winstanley. 2002 SPCK

Sacraments Revisited
Liam Kelly, 1998, Darton, Longman & Todd

Focus on the Sacraments
Peter Wilkinson, 1987, Kevin Mayhew

How to Understand the Sacraments
Beguerie, Duchesneau 1989 SCM

Rethinking Sacraments
Bill Heubsch,

Sample Assignment Titles

Choose a sacrament. Describe its symbolism. How would you develop it so that it is a real celebration?

Consider the signs and symbols used in the sacraments and in liturgy generally. How may their effectiveness on a symbolic level be improved? What are the signs and symbols which tend to be used with great effect by the communicators of our time? How may they be Christianised?

Penance: Confession: Reconciliation: Whith each name change there seems to be a shift in emphasis in nature of celebration. Which aspects appeal to you and why?

Fellowship meal, Eucharist, Liturgy, Mass. Whith each name change there seems to be a shift in emphasis in nature of celebration. Which aspects appeal to you and why?