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Spring Courses — March & April 2023
March 27, 2023 @ 9:00 am – April 28, 2023 @ 4:00 pm
$170.00
The Spring Courses series covers topics from Discerning God’s Will, to Theology of the Body, to Apologetics, to unpacking Papal documents. These week-long courses will help build up your understanding of Catholic teaching and practice, strengthen your faith, and enrich your life. The courses are taken together with the full-time students enrolled in St. Therese’s nine-month faith formation program, so you’ll also get a chance to experience the beautiful community life of study, prayer and companionship lived by the students.
Certificates are provided upon course completion.
REGISTRATION:
Costs: Spring Courses are $170* each. On-site overnight accommodation ($100-125*) and Meal ($100-125*) packages are available as add-ons.
*Plus online booking service fees and applicable taxes.
Courses open to adults of all ages.
-> TeenSTAR: open to ages 18+ only.
-> For all other courses:
- 17-year-olds may attend with signed parental waiver;
- 16-year-olds may attend with signed parental waiver and along with an adult chaperone registered for the same course.
- Download the Parental Waiver PDF. Please return it by email to or fax 306.369.2555 x200.
Group Rate: If you are registering a group of 4+ people, use promo code GroupRate20 to receive $20-off per course.
SPRING COURSES OFFERED:
- Ignatian Discernment (M-F Mar.27-31; check-in: Sun. Mar. 26)¹
- The Apostolate of the Christian Family (M-F Mar.27-31; check-in: Sun. Mar. 26)¹
- Gospel of the Body & The Little Way (Theology of the Body); (Tue-F Apr.11-14; check-in Mon. Apr. 10)²
- Theology of the Laity (Sun-F Apr.16-21; check-in: Sun. Apr. 16)³
- Principles of Christian Education (Sun-F Apr.16-21; check-in: Sun. Apr. 16)³
- Ecumenical Apologetics (M-F Apr.24-28; check-in: Sun. Apr. 23)¹
- TeenSTAR – Sexual Education Instructor Certification (M-F Apr.24-28; check-in: Sun. Apr. 23)¹
CHECK-IN/OUT & COURSE START/END TIMES:
CHECK-IN & COURSE START: For the courses marked with…
[ ¹ ]: The accommodation add-on package includes arrival on Sunday evening between 7:00-9:00pm for a chance to settle in, with classes starting at 10:00am Monday morning.
If arriving Monday morning or commuting, please check-in between 9:00-9:30am Monday.
[ ² ]: The accommodation add-on package includes arrival on Monday evening between 7:00-9:00pm for a chance to settle in, with classes starting at 10:00am Tuesday morning.
If arriving Tuesday morning or commuting, please check-in between 9:00-9:30am Tuesday.
[ ³ ]: Check-in Sunday evening between 6:00-7:00pm with classes starting promptly at 7:30pm Sunday evening.
COURSE END & CHECK-OUT: All courses finish Friday 4:00pm. Participants are asked to check-out by 5:00pm.
SCHEDULE:
Daily Schedule: Generally, the days flow as follow.
7:00am Liturgy of the Hours Morning Prayer / Personal Prayer8:00am Mass (or Breakfast on Mondays)9:00am Breakfast (except Mondays)9:30am Praise and Worship (except Mondays)10:00am Classroom Session
7:00pm Rosary (Adoration with Praise and Worship on Mondays)
7:30pm Classroom Session
9:30pm Free Time
10:30pm Quiet Time
11:00pm Lights Out
SPRING COURSES — DESCRIPTIONS & TEACHERS:
(listed alphabetically)
Called for a Purpose: A Theology of the Laity (Jim Anderson)
This is an introduction to Catholic teaching on the dignity, role, spirituality, and mission of the lay faithful in the Church today. Scripture, Tradition (especially in the teaching of the Second Vatican Council), as well as the writings of Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI, are at the heart of this study. This course will help you to better support the apostolic and pastoral life of your community, parish, and family, as well as discover your unique calling within the lay apostolate. Become a catalyst of spiritual renewal in your spheres of influence in the world!
Ecumenical Apologetics: Being Apostles of Hope (Matt Nelson)
“Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence.” (1 Peter 3:15)
In this course, learn to speak to the heart of those who would like to believe in God and in Christ, understand the Catholic Church, and be actively faith-filled. People ask questions like, “Can you prove God exists? Was Jesus divine? Why does the Catholic Church teach _____? Why is there evil if God is good?” We want to respond charitably to the divisions that exist among the disciples of Jesus today. Discover how apologetics can be used in the service of building authentic Christian unity.
Gospel of the Body and the Little Way: Living St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body with the Help of St. Therese of Lisieux (Pre-recorded sessions Christopher West; Facilitated by Nick Pierlot)
Using resources* from world-renowned author and speaker Christopher West, we unpack the Theology of the Body, Pope St. John Paul II’s integrated vision of the human person—body, soul, and spirit—as male and female. These teachings are augmented by the wisdom of St. Thérèse of Lisieux — an exclusive component compiled by Christopher West specifically for this course at St. Therese Institute! Participants discover the profound significance of being made in the image of God as male and female, how the physical union of man and woman is innately oriented toward life and love, and how their union is the foundation for a life-affirming society. This course helps students build more integrated lives and discover the joy of seeing the world through the lens of ToB.
*pre-recorded video lectures, and accompanying course book.
Holy Family: The Apostolate of the Christian Family (Jim Anderson)
“As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.” Pope St. John Paul II
This course offers an introduction to Catholic teaching on the dignity and nature of the Christian family. The family, which has been called ‘the building block of society,’ has an irreplaceable role, responsibility, and mission in the modern world. Participants will come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the vocation to marriage and family life in this “Springtime of the Faith.” Particular attention will be paid to Pope St. John Paul II’s Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio.
Introduction to Ignatian Discernment (Fr. Edmund Lo, SJ)
This series of teachings is drawn from the rich spiritual tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Through instruction, prayer, and reflection, participants will learn to:
- Identify the origins of spiritual influences on one’s interior life in order to respond properly to them and grow in holiness.
- Use the Rules for Discernment of Spirits as presented in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
- Establish the essential conditions in your spiritual life in order to best discern God’s will for you.
This course is suitable for those who have never studied the Ignatian principles and is a great refresher for those who have previous experience in Ignatian Discernment.
Following the Spring Courses introduction to Ignatian Discernment , the full-time students enrolled in the St. Therese Nine-Month Faith Formation Program will continue their study of Ignatian Discernment with second week of practical application in a guided, week-long, Ignatian retreat.
TeenSTAR: Sexuality Teaching in the context of Adult Responsibility – Teacher Certification Course – (Sr. Genevéive Gadbois, FM)
TeenSTAR (Teen Sexuality Teaching in the context of Adult Responsibility; www.teenstar.org) is a sexual education curriculum taught throughout the world designed for persons of preteen to college age. It was created by Sr. Hanna Claus, an MD and OB/GYN doctor, and is rooted in sound moral, psychological, and physiological principles. It employs the Billings Method of understanding human fertility patterns “To teach responsible decisionmaking and communication skills in the area of sexual behavior and enhance teens’ self-understanding and self-esteem.” The TeenSTAR curriculum is consistent with the moral teachings of the Catholic Church on human sexuality and the understanding of the nuptial meaning of the human body as expressed in Pope St. John Paull II’s Theology of the Body. Participants in this course will learn TeenSTAR’s curriculum and gain certification to teach it in both secular and religious contexts.
This one week certification workshop will enable students to teach the TeenSTAR curriculum as a part of their individual apostolate. Registrants must be 18+ to register for this component of our Spring Courses Series.
To Know Christ Jesus: Principles of Christian Education (Nicholas Pierlot)
Christian education ought first and foremost to provide a person with the opportunity to have a relational encounter with the person of Jesus Christ and his transforming love. This course offers a foundational understanding of catechesis and the philosophy of Catholic education, along with practical and pastoral approaches. Students will learn the principles upon which to establish effective and dynamic catechetical ministry with children, youth, young adults and adults in a comprehensive model.