Archdiocese of Los Angeles - Diaconate Formation Program

Aspirancy Year 1 - Schedule of Sessions (2021-2022)

See also: Aspirancy Homepage | Year 1 Syllabus | Year 1 Bibliography

Daily Schedule (on most Saturdays)

9:00 – Morning Prayer (bilingual, together with Year 2 Aspirants)
9:30–12:00 – Morning Instruction
12:00–12:30 – Group Discussion
12:30–1:30 – Lunch
1:30–4:00 – Afternoon Instruction
4:00–4:30 – Faith Sharing
4:35 – Evening Prayer (bilingual, together with Year 2 Aspirants)
5:00 – Departure
 

July 25, 2021 – Orientation, 2:00 - 4:00 pm (St. Peter Claver, Simi Valley)

FALL 2021:

Aug. 19-23 (Thurs to Mon) – Kerygma Retreat

• Mater Dolorosa Retreat House, 700 N Sunnyside Ave, Sierra Madre, CA 91024
• Reading: Deacon Keith Strohm, Jesus: The Story You Thought You Knew. OSV, 2017.

Aug. 28

• Morning: Theological: Intro to Catechisms: Desire for God (Dr. Paul Ford)
• Readings: USCCA, Intros & Chap. 1; and CCC Intros & par. 1-49
• Writing: Response Paper on USCCA, Chap. 1
• Handout: The Creed as Key – El Credo como Clave
   
• Afternoon: Human/Spiritual: Images of God (Fr. Jim Clarke)
• Recommended Reading: Ronald Rolheiser, Sacred Fire, pp. 134-167, 243-282.
• Handouts:
  • Changing Images of God – Imágenes Cambiantes de Dios
  • The Divine Dance – El Baile Divino
  • Toxic Religious Beliefs – Fe Tóxica

Sept. 11

• Morning: Theological: Our Response to God: Faith (Dr. Paul Ford)
• Readings: USCCA, Chap. 4; and CCC par. 142-197
• Writing: Response Paper on USCCA, Chap. 4
• Handouts:
  • CCC Contents, with paragraph numbers
  • Dr. Paul Ford's PPT slides (in PDF format)
     
• Afternoon: Human/Spiritual: Faith Development & Spiritual Direction (Fr. Jim Clarke)
• Recommended Reading: Ronald Rolheiser, Sacred Fire, pp. 1-133.
• Handouts:
  • Faith Development – Desarrollo de la Fe
  • James Fowler's Stages of Faith Development – Las Etapas del Desarrollo de la Fe de James Fowler
  • A Person with Mature Faith – Una Persona con Fe Madura
  • Scriptural Examination of Conscience & The Beatitudes – Examen de conciencia bíblico y Las Bienaventuranzas

Sept. 25

• Morning: Biblical: Catholic Biblical Interpretation (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Readings: USCCA, Chap. 2; and CCC par. 50-100
  • Ronald D. Witherup, Biblical Fundamentalism: What Every Catholic Should Know. Liturgical Press, 2001.
• Writing: Response Paper on USCCA, Chap. 2
• Handouts & PPTs:
  • Catholic Biblical Interpretation & Both/And Approach - también en Español
  • Revelation & Bible in the CCC and in Dei Verbum (English & Español)
  • PPT: Catholic Biblical Interpretation
     
• Afternoon: Theological: God the Father (Dr. Paul Ford)
• Readings: USCCA, Chap. 5; and CCC par. 198-278
• Handout: Dr. Paul Ford's PPT slides (in PDF format)

Oct. 9

• Morning: Biblical: Lectionary for Mass (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Readings: USCCA, Chap. 3; and CCC par. 101-141; and Vatican II, Dei Verbum
• Writing: Response Paper on USCCA, Chap. 3
• Handouts& Websites:
  • Ecumenical Councils, esp. Vatican II - también en Español
  • Vat. II: Sacrosanctum Concilium: Const. on the Sacred Liturgy - también en Español
  • Introduction to the Liturgical Year (English only)
  • Introduction to the Lectionary (English only)
  • Intro to Lectionary: Extra Legal-Sized pages (Matthew & Luke on Weekdays of Ordinary Time)
  • Website: Lectionary for Mass
• Afternoon: Theological: God the Creator (Dr. Paul Ford)
• Readings: USCCA, Chap. 5 (cont.); and CCC par. 279-354
• Handout: Dr. Paul Ford's PPT slides (in PDF format)

Oct. 23

• Morning & Afternoon: Biblical: Overview of the Bible & Jesus (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Readings: USCCA, Chap. 7; and CCC par. 422-455
• Writing: Response Paper on USCCA, Chap. 7
• Handouts & Websites:
  • Comparative Chart of Hebrew & Christian Bibles - también en Español
  • New Testament Canon - también en Español
  • Four Gospels Comparative Charts (English only)
  • Website: Christological Titles

Nov. 6-7 – Workshop on Marriage & Celibacy  (St. Clare of Assisi Parish, 19606 Calla Way, Canyon Country, CA 91351)

• Saturday & Sunday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; led by Fr. Jim Clarke and Team
• Readings:
• John M. Gottman & Nan Silver. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. Revised ed. Harmony, 2015.
  • John M. Gottman & Nan Silver. Siete reglas de oro para vivir en pareja. Debolsillo, 2019.
• CCC, Part Two, Article 7, par. 1601-1666 – multiple pages online from https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P50.HTM to https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P57.HTM
• Pope John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio (1981) – https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_19811122_familiaris-consortio.html
• Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia (2016) – https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20160319_amoris-laetitia.html

Nov. 20

• Morning & Afternoon: Biblical: Gospel acc. to Mark (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Readings: USCCA, Chap. 7 (cont.); and CCC par. 512-630
• Also read the whole Gospel of Mark
• Writing: Response Paper on the Gospel according to Mark
• Handouts & Websites:
  • Gospel of Mark (on FJ's website)

Dec. 4

• Morning: Biblical: Gospel acc. to Mark, cont. (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Readings: USCCA, Chap. 8; and CCC par. 631-682
• Writing: Response Paper on USCCA, Chap. 8
• Afternoon: Human/Spiritual: Christian Prayer & Meditation (Fr. Eben MacDonald)
• Reading: James Martin SJ. Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone. – (begin/skim)

Dec. 18

• Morning: Biblical: Infancy Narratives of Matthew & Luke (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Readings: Matthew 1–2; Luke 1–2;  CCC par. 456-511
• Writing: Response Paper on CCC par. 456-511
• Afternoon: Human/Spiritual: Religious Experience (Fr. Jim Clarke)
• Reading: James Martin SJ. Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone. – (continue/skim)

 
SPRING 2022:

Jan. 8 (by Zoom)

• Morning: Liturgical: The Lectionary and Lectoring (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Reading: Lectionary for Mass, “Introduction”
  (online at https://catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/1981-GeneralIntroduction.htm - también en Español)
• Writing: Response Paper on Lectionary: Introduction
• Handouts & Websites:
  • ADLA Guidelines for Lectors (in English, también en Español)
  • The Lector at Mass - from the USCCB website; compiles GIRM #29, 38, 56, 57-59, 99, 101, 128-130, and 194-198 (PDF in English y en Español)
  • Introductions to Biblical Readings - on FJ's website
  • Lector and Lector-Training Resources - on FJ's website
• Afternoon: Human/Spiritual: Spiritual Disciplines (Fr. Jim Clarke)
• Reading: Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline, pp. 77-140.
• Handout: Spiritual Disciplines - también en Español

Jan. 22 (by Zoom)

• Morning: Theological: Human Beings & The Fall (Dr. Paul Ford)
• Readings: USCCA, Chap. 6; and CCC par. 355-421
• Writing: Response Paper on USCCA, Chap. 6
• Handouts:
  • Dr. Paul Ford's PPT slides (in PDF format)
  • Gaudium et Spes parts (PDF)
• Afternoon: Human/Spiritual: Catholic Spiritualities (Fr. Richard Vega)
• Readings: none

Feb. 5 (by Zoom)

• Morning: Theological: The Holy Spirit (Dr. Paul Ford)
• Readings: USCCA, Chap. 9; and CCC par. 683-747
• Writing: Response Paper on USCCA, Chap. 9
• Handouts:
  • Holy Spirit in the New Testament (FJ's website)
  • Church Eucharist Trinity (PDF)
• Afternoon: Human: Fostering Holistic Spiritual Development (Fr. Jim Clarke)
• Recommended Reading: Peter Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, pp. 23-152.
• Handouts: Wellness - también en Español

Feb. 19 (back at St. Peter Claver Church)

• Morning: Theological: The Church: Mystery, Images, and Marks (Dr. Paul Ford)
• Readings: USCCA, Chap. 10 & 11; and CCC par. 748-870
• Writing: Response Paper on USCCA, Chap. 10
• Afternoon: Human/Spiritual: Adult Maturity (Fr. Jim Clarke)
• Reading: David Richo, How to Be an Adult, pp. 1-109.

MARCH 5 – at Bishop Alemany High School (11111 N Alemany Dr, Mission Hills, CA 91345)

• Morning: Theological: The Church: Members, Saints, and Mary (Dr. Paul Ford)
• Readings: USCCA, Chap. 12; and CCC par. 871-975
• Writing: Response Paper on USCCA, Chap. 12
• Afternoon: Biblical: Gospel acc. to John (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Reading: John 1–12

March 18-20 – L.A. Religious Education Congress / Congreso de Educación Religiosa

• Please register and attend any two of the three days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
• Attend at least four talks (plenary or workshops), two liturgies, and any other sessions you wish. Write a reflection on your experience (details will be given later).

April 2

• Morning: Theological: Forgiveness, Resurrection, Eternal Life (Dr. Paul Ford)
• Readings: USCCA, Chap. 13; and CCC par. 976-1065
• Writing: Response Paper on USCCA, Chap. 13
• Afternoon: Biblical: Gospel acc. to John, cont. (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Reading: John 13-21

April 17 – Holy Saturday (no session)
April 18 – Happy Easter!

April 23

• Morning: Biblical: Acts of the Apostles (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Reading: Acts 1-8
• Writing: Response Paper on Acts 1–8
• Afternoon: Human/Spiritual: Fostering a Contemplative Attitude (Fr. Jim Clarke)
• Reading: Jim Clarke, Soul-Centered: Spirituality for People on the Go, pp. 1-128.

April 30

• Morning & Afternoon: Theological: Prayer in the Christian Life (Dr. Paul Ford)
• Readings: USCCA, Chap. 35; and CCC par. 2558-2758
• Writing: Response Paper on USCCA, Chap. 35

MAY 14 – at Bishop Alemany High School (11111 N Alemany Dr, Mission Hills, CA 91345)

• Morning & Afternoon: Theological: The Lord’s Prayer (Dr. Paul Ford)
• Readings: USCCA, Chap. 36; and CCC par. 2759-2865
• Writing: Response Paper on USCCA, Chap. 36

May 28

• Morning: Liturgical: Intro to Blessings and Leading Prayer (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Reading: skim the book, Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers
• Writing: Response Paper on Blessings and Prayers
• Afternoon: Human/Spiritual: Overview of Catholicism (Fr. Jim Clarke)
• Reading: Sherry Weddell, Forming Intentional Disciples.

Note: This syllabus is subject to change. / Nota: Este programa se puede cambiar.

See also: Aspirancy Homepage | Year 1 Syllabus | Year 1 Bibliography