Professional Certificate in Pastoral Ministries
Program Overview
An experienced pioneer in pastoral education, the Institute in Pastoral Administration is a community of faithful learners. The Institute serves pastoral practitioners, ecclesiastical administrators, and educationally-motivated Catholic adults. Our programs develop insight into Catholic wisdom, both pastoral and theological, as well as facilitate practical or administrative practices within each student's particular ministry.
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The Institute offers five affordable programs to laity, deacons, and priests from throughout the United States and Canada:
Our three-year program in Pastoral Ministries strives:
- to equip participants with a deep understanding of Roman Catholic doctrines, corresponding Christian theologies, and pastoral practices that clarify the Gospel for our culture and promote the care of persons in our Church;
- to demonstrate academic practices of inquiry, discovery, and reflection relevant for professional employees in the Roman Catholic Church and church-related organizations: and
- to inspire attitudes and skills that are compatible with Roman Catholic ministerial service, especially facilitating personal transformation in Christ, building faith-community, and developing a pastoral presence grounded in awareness of one's gifts and limitations as a minister.
Program Structure
The course of studies for the Professional Certificate in Pastoral Ministries begins after Easter and concludes before Advent. Studies proceed in three phases, within a learning community that travels together through three years, each with a summer residency:
- reading and writing to be completed at home in preparation for the summer-residency;
- 10-day summer-residency in Winona where students and faculty immerse into critical dialogue, liturgical prayer, and friendships; and,
- (graduate certificate and master of arts only) post-residency assignments at home that include additional reading and writing with reference to the pastoral context of participants’ local churches.
The curriculum for a Professional Cerfiticate in Pastoral Ministries offers a combination of theology and pastoral skills courses for a total of 30 CEUs.
Program Delivery
Creative and accessible professors lead by example and clarify by theory. Faculty are drawn from pastoral and academic environments throughout the United States and hold the highest academic credentials. Our faculty are active clerical and lay ministers in the Roman Catholic Church. Communication between students, professors and administrators is essential in all aspects of the program. Email, telephone, and the internet-based Blackboard Learning System™ provide an array of tools to sustain the learning faith-community established in summer residencies. Students gain access to Blackboard upon admission.
Dates for Summer Residency
- June 14 - June 24, 2010
- June 13 - June 23, 2011
Location
Winona
Admissions Contact
Jami Spitzer
(800) 635-5987 ext. 7500
(507) 457-7500
Institute in Pastoral Ministries
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
700 Terrace Heights #77
Winona, MN 55987
Toll free: (800) 635-5987 ext. 7500
FAX: (507) 457-1752
ipm@smumn.edu
Curriculum
The curriculum in Pastoral Ministries for the Master of Arts and Professional Certificate offers six theology courses, three pastoral skills courses (including two electives), and three integrated pastoral research (IPR) courses, for a total of 12 courses. During each of the three summer residencies, learners typically enroll in two theology courses and one pastoral skills course. Required only for the Master of Arts, the integrated pastoral research courses are registered in the three successive years and are self-managed, with completion between summer residencies. The mentorship of a professor and the associate program director are assets to insure each student's success.
Sequence for the Professional Certificate in Pastoral Ministries (30 CEUs)
Summer I (10 CEUs)
PM 305 Human Relations in Ministry
PM 340 Foundations in Theology, or
PM 370 Liturgy, or
Thus, one’s entry to pastoral studies in IPM is an academic spiritual exercise in three parts. The law of praying (lex orandi) is evident in Liturgy. The law of believing (lex credendi) is evident in Foundations. The law of living (lex vivendi) is evident in Human Relations in Ministry.
Summer II (10 CEUs)
PM 310 Leadership in the Faith Community, or
PM 320 Church at Prayer, or
PM 325 Christian Spiritualities, or
PM 331 Canon Law for Pastoral Ministers, or
PM 333 Social Action for Pastoral Ministers, or
PM 334-339 Special Topics in Pastoral Ministry, or
PM 380 Sacraments
PM 350 Ecclesiology
PM 360 Scripture
Summer III (10 CEUs)
PM 320 Church at Prayer, or
PM 310 Leadership in the Faith Community, or
PM 325 Christian Spiritualities, or
PM 331 Canon Law for Pastoral Ministers, or
PM 333 Social Action for Pastoral Ministers, or
PM 334-339 Special Topics in Pastoral Ministry, or
PM 380 Sacraments
PM 332 Christ Yesterday and Today
PM 390 The Church and Moral Issues
PM305 Human Relations in Ministry (2 CEUs)Various dynamics of leadership applied to pastoral ministry will be examined, including listening, affirming, and confronting.
PM310 Leadership in the Faith Community (2 CEUs)Various styles of leadership and their relevance for invigorating the Catholic community will be examined. Particular emphasis is given to the development of individual leadership and to the organization, purpose, mission, and vision required to develop a faith community.
PM320 Church at Prayer (2 CEUs)This course is designed to assist pastoral ministers in preparing and leading the church in communal prayer. Learners examine the principles, patterns of worship, and pastoral goals in liturgical planning. Special attention is given to the role of lay liturgical leadership in the assembly and other settings. PM 570 Liturgy is prerequisite.
PM325 Christian Spiritualities (2 CEUs)Practices that enhance being in relationship to God are examined. Cultural, denominational, doctrinal, physical, and psychological aspects are included.
PM331 Canon Law for Pastoral Ministers (2 CEUs)The Code of Canon Law of 1983, which contains 1752 canons, seeks to formulate in as precise terms as possible the governing laws which are necessary to the Church's salvific mission. Participants must first understand the origins and history of canon law. Against this background, the principle points made in the seven books of the Code of Canon Law of 1983 are explored, with greater emphasis given to those areas with practical applications in ministry.
PM332 Christ Yesterday and Today (4 CEUs)Catechists, preachers, and other ministers confront a wide array of modern thought on Jesus. This course examines mainstream Catholic thinking on the historical Jesus, the Christ of faith, the foundation of the church, and the meaning of salvation. The course will coordinate with insights learned in PM 540 Foundations in Theology and PM 560 Scripture. Students will find their horizons significantly challenged while still thinking with the church.
PM333 Social Action for Pastoral Ministers (2 CEUs)Participants in this course examine the theological underpinnings of seven major themes of Catholic social teaching. The intent of the course is to assist participants in designing practical applications of each theme at the parish level. Emphasis is on parish social action which will build relationships across various social and economic barriers present in communities.
PM340 Foundations in Theology (4 CEUs)In this introduction to systematic theology participants study the mystery of God as represented in the church's creeds. The historical foundations of faith as well as essential doctrines and their role in questions of contemporary cultures will be explored.
PM350 Ecclesiology (4 CEUs)As an examination of the church's self-understanding, participants consider the singularly important doctrines of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) and subsequent theological investigations and developments. Especially emphasized is the integration of participants' experiences with theological explorations and official Catholic teaching.
PM360 Scripture (4 CEUs)Participants explore both the forms and contents of Scripture in order to begin to uncover its theological meaning for the life of the church. The course also will consider the social and historical contexts of biblical books.
PM370 Liturgy (4 CEUs)This course introduces learners to the fundamental structures and history of the Roman Catholic liturgy. Particular attention is given to the ritual nature of human experience, the Christian interpretations of ritual, and the liturgy as primary source of Catholic faith and identity.
PM380 Sacraments (2 CEUs)This course considers the principle of sacramentality that informs Catholic faith and pastoral theology, and examines the seven sacraments as expressions of this Catholic world view. Theological and historical foundations are emphasized, with particular attention given to their pastoral and catechetical implications.
PM390 The Church and Moral Issues (4 CEUs)Participants study the past heritage of and current trajectories in the church that facilitate moral thinking, evaluating, and decision-making. Consideration of current moral issues that arise within the life of the People of God is integral to these investigations.
Program Staff
Pastoral Ministries - Adjunct Professor
Graduate and Professional Programs - Coordinator
Institute for Pastoral Ministries - Adjunct Associate Professor
Institute in Pastoral Ministries - Adjunct Associate Professor
Institute of Pastoral Ministry - Advisor, Theology - Adjunct Lecturer
Business - Assistant Professor, Pastoral Ministries - Adjunct Assistant Professor
Department Chair, Office of the President - University Dean for University Affairs, Theology - Associate Professor
Pastoral Ministries - Faculty
Pastoral Ministries - Adjunct Associate Professor
Winona Graduate and Professional Programs - Program Secretary
Pastoral Ministries - Adjunct Assistant Professor
Theology - Assistant Professor