(Incorporating Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies)
The Living Ministry course is a two-year course exploring questions of faith and ministry from an adult perspective.
Who is the course for?
The course is for all adults interested in exploring their faith – from all backgrounds, walks of life - and for those involved in areas of ministry such as teaching and the various ministries involved in parish life today – catechists, eucharistic ministers, parish pastoral councils, youth work, justice and peace…..
The course seeks to provide the opportunity to explore and reflect on questions of faith, belief and every day living as a member of the Catholic Community today. Through prayer, shared reflection, group discussion and study the course seeks to enable people to take up their ministry with greater confidence.
What are the aims of the course?
The overall aim of the course is to help people explore their faith as adults and recognise their call to service. It takes account of the experience that we bring and encourages us to grow through shared experience.
- provide those in ministry in parishes and schools with knowledge and understanding of the teaching and beliefs of the Catholic Faith
- employ and encourage sound adult educational processes which express Gospel values
- enhance understanding of education and formation within the Church as a life-long process
- enable all participants to make an informed contribution to their chosen field of work in the Church
- develop an appreciation of the principles of Catholic Education at all levels
- highlight the role and function of Religious Education within the school curriculum
We do this through:
- Prayer and liturgy
- Pastoral reflection
- Study
- Group discussion
Course Content
The content of each of the modules is that outlined in the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies Handbook. The specialist modules in Year 2 are chosen by Easter of Year 1 to allow for planning and booking tutors. It may not be possible to offer the full complement of Specialist Modules in both venues. For a specialist module to run there must be a minimum group of 7.
The modules are supported by prayer and reflection:
- Advent Day of Recollection in each year
- Lenten Day of Recollection in each year
- End of Course Retreat and Graduation
How is the course delivered?
From September 2011, the Living Ministry (CCRS) course will be offered at The Diocesan Centre, Mornington Crescent, Mackworth Derby.
Each module is 10 hours study time and will consist of one Saturday study day and one evening study session plus a personal tutorial (this could be internet/e-mail based or face to face)
In the first year this means 10 Saturdays, 6 Monday evenings.
In the second year this means 5 Saturdays and 3 Monday evenings.
Course Information
To be awarded the CCRS the six core modules and two specialist modules are assessed by an assignment of 1500 words or equivalent. For those not wishing to receive the CCRS a Diocesan Living Ministry Certificate will be awarded. For successful completion of both courses 80% attendance at each module is required and attendance at one retreat day in each year.
Entry requirements:
An interest in exploring faith issues
Openness to reflection on life experience
Willingness to share
Ability to listen to and respect the views of others
Commitment to learn and study
At least 80% attendance for each module
CORE MODULES
The Bible: Old Testament
The purpose of this module is to introduce participants to the writings in the Old Testament in order to help them to recognise God's revelation contained there and its continuing relevance in Christian life today.
The Bible: New Testament
The purpose of this module is to familiarise participants with the process through which the New Testament writings came into being and to help them interpret the material presented and understand its significance for the life of a Christian today.
Jesus Christ
The purpose of this module is to deepen participants' awareness of the significance and centrality of the person and work of Jesus Christ in the daily life of the Christian as well as in the worship of the Church.
The Church
The purpose of this module is to enable participants to reflect on the nature of the Church and its mission in the world today.
Sacraments
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 .
Christian Morality
The purpose of this module is to help participants develop the skills of moral decision making, to examine Christian teaching in its relation to the universal search for what constitutes "human good", and to explore the application of Christian understanding to some contemporary moral issues .
SPECIALIST MODULES
The two specialist modules can be selected from the following:
Liturgy
The purpose of this module is to enable participants to gain an overview of liturgical principles and to be able to relate their learning to their specific parish situations.
Justice and Peace
This module offers an introduction to Justice and Peace, the development of this area of Church life in history and the teaching of the Church, and Justice and Peace in the modern world and current issues.
Parish Catechesis
The purpose of this module is to enable participants to reflect on the nature of catechesis, and the relationship between evangelisation, catechesis and culture.
Religious Education and the Catholic School
This module explores the nature and purpose of Catholic Education and its historical development, questions of mission and ethos and issues concerned with Religious Education.
Ecumenism
The purpose of this module is to introduce participants to theology and practice of ecumenism today and how these relate to their own settings.
Bereavement
The purpose of this module is to familiarise participants with the bereavement process and to equip them to work in Bereavement Ministry in the Catholic Parish.
Specialist Study Module
This module allows students to follow a chosen path of study of interest to them and not included in any of the above specialist modules. The study is developed with and monitored by a course tutor.
Course Co-ordinator
Julia Palmer
Course Administrator
Janet Hornsby
Course fee: £440
This includes all modules, retreat days.
This may be paid on a modular basis at £55 per module
For further information please contact:
Living Ministry
The Diocesan Centre
Mornington Crescent
Mackworth
Derby
DE22 4BD
01332 293833 ext 220
Fax: 01332 293305
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