Spring Course Series
Invest in your faith by living and studying for a week at St. Therese Institute
Each spring, St. Therese Institute hosts a series of week-long Spring Courses that are open for public registration. Register for your choice of course for one week, or register for multiple weeks and take one course each week.
These weeks provide vibrant, relevant courses for anyone that wants to live a deeply Christian life in the context of our post-Christian society. You have the opportunity to journey, eat meals, recreate, pray, and live alongside those in our nine-month Gap Year, Mission Year and Apostolic Year formation programs. You are welcome to book accommodation and stay overnight at the institute or to commute if you live nearby.
Certificates are awarded upon the completion of each course.
Courses offered in 2024
St. Therese Institute runs two parallel streams of spring courses each year – one for our first-year students and one for our second-year students. External attendees are welcome to register in any of the spring courses we offer.
Click on a course link for more details, or go directly to the Spring Courses 2024 Registration page.
- Week 1 – March 18-22. Choose between:
- Week 2 – April 7-12.
- Week 3 – April 15-19. Choose between:
- Week 4 – April 21-26. Choose between:
Spring Course Descriptions
1) Holy Family: The Apostolate of the Christian Family (Jim Anderson)
The family, sometimes called ‘the building block of society,’ has an irreplaceable role, responsibility, and mission in the modern world. “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 is an introduction to Catholic teaching on the dignity and nature of the Christian family. Participants come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the vocation to marriage and family life. Particular attention is paid to Pope St. John Paul II’s Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio.
2) An Introduction to Ignatian Discernment (Fr. John O’Brien, SJ)
This series of teachings draws from the rich spiritual tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Through instruction, prayer, and reflection, participants 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. It is also great refresher for those who have previous experience in Ignatian Discernment.
3) The 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)
Discover the profound significance of being made in the image of God as male and female and how the physical union of man and woman is innately oriented toward life and love! Using resources from world-renowned author and speaker Christopher West, we unpack the Theology of the Body. TOB, as it is often abbreviated, is 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. Christopher West created this Theresian component specifically for this course at St. Therese Institute! This course helps students build more integrated lives and discover the joy of seeing the world through the lens of TOB.
4) 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 and Tradition, especially in the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, are at the heart of this study. The writings of Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI are well-considered, too. This course helps you better support the apostolic and pastoral life of your community, parish, and family. Discover your unique calling within the lay apostolate. Become a catalyst of spiritual renewal in your spheres of influence in the world!
5) To Know Christ Jesus: Principles of Christian Education (Nicholas Pierlot)
Christian education should provide its students the opportunity to encounter 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. Participants learn the principles upon which to establish effective and dynamic catechetical ministry with children, youth, young adults and adults in a comprehensive model.
6) Ecumenical Apologetics: Being Apostles of Hope (Matt Nelson)
“Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone 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 want to believe in God and in Christ, understand the Catholic Church, and be actively faith-filled. 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?” Learn 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.
7) TeenSTAR: Sexuality Teaching in the context of Adult Responsibility – Teacher Certification Course (Sr. Genevéive Gadbois, FM)
TeenSTAR (www.teenstar.org) is a sexual education curriculum taught throughout the world. It is designed for persons of preteen to college age. Created by Sr. Hanna Claus, an MD and OB/GYN doctor, TeenSTAR is rooted in sound moral, psychological, and physiological principles. It employs the Billings Method of understanding human fertility patterns “To teach responsible decision making 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 learn TeenSTAR’s curriculum and gain certification to teach it in both secular and religious contexts.
*You must be 18 years or older to register for this course.
Daily Schedule for Courses
Course participants join in the daily life of our full-time students. Every day is filled with community, study, and prayer.
7:00am Liturgy of the Hours Morning Prayer and Personal Prayer
8:00am Mass
9:00am Breakfast
9:30am Praise and Worship
10:00am Classroom Session
12:00pm Lunch and chores
1:25pm Adoration
2:00pm Classroom Session
4:00pm Rec time / Free time
5:30pm Supper
7:00pm Rosary
7:30pm Classroom Session
9:30pm Free Time
10:30pm Quiet Time
11:00pm Lights Out
Registration
The all-inclusive package (tuition, meals, accommodations) is available to purchase online for $490* per person.
You can also customize registration to your needs by calling us (306)369-2555. Tuition: $200 per course; On-site overnight accommodation: $150; and Meals: $140*
*(add $35 for gluten/diary-free meals)
Spring Courses are open to adults of all ages. TeenSTAR is open to ages 18+ only. For all other courses, 17-year-olds may attend with a signed parental waiver and 16-year-olds may attend with a signed parental waiver and an adult chaperone registered for the same course.