Lay Ecclesial Ministry Program / Programa de Ministerios Eclesiales para Laicos
LEMP / PMEL – Diocese of Las Vegas (2008-2010)

Reading and Writing Assignments – YEAR TWO

2009: Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. || 2010: Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May


Primary Bibliography: Books that will be used throughout this two-year program:


Reading and Writing Assignments – Fall 2009

Here is a summary of the learning objectives and reading assignments for each session during our third semester, along with questions to be answered in the written reflections after each month’s session.  For direct links to some online readings, see below. All readings should be done before coming to each month’s session, if possible.  Reading selections are taken from our textbooks, online sources, or other books available for purchase through the Office of Faith Formation. For updates and direct links to online readings, see http://www.catholic-resources.org/LasVegas/LEMP.html .

Monthly written reflections should be done as soon as possible after each session (so it’s still fresh in your mind), but then printed out and turned in at our next monthly session (or email a copy to Fr. Felix Just, S.J., fjust2000@yahoo.com, if you are absent). Please write two or three good paragraphs in response to each question listed below, for a total of about one full single-spaced page. All papers should be typed and include a brief heading (name, date, and topic).


Sept. 19-20, 2009 – Biblical Studies 2 (with Fr. Felix Just, S.J.)

Learning Objectives:

Reading Assignments:

Written Reflections:

  1. What is the Catholic understanding of the relationship between the Old and New Testaments? Develop and illustrate your answer with some specific examples.
  2. What do you see as the most important differences in how the four Gospels portray the life and teachings of Jesus?
  3. Which book of the Bible do you find most inspirational? Why? And which book is most disturbing for you? Why?

Oct. 17-18, 2009 – Catholic Social Teaching (with Edward E. Dolejsi, Calif. Cath. Conf.)

Learning Objectives:

Reading Assignments:

Written Reflections:

  1. Which main principles of Catholic Social Teaching do you most directly and most easily put into practice? How?
  2. Which principles of Catholic Social Teaching are most difficult or challenging for you personally? Why?
  3. What might be some effective ways for your parish to help the “average parishioner” (not just the “social activists” or isolated groups) to better integrate the principles of Catholic Social Teachings into his or her faith life?

Nov. 7-8, 2009 – Christian Morality (with Jennifer Shaw, Ph.D. cand.)

Learning Objectives:

Reading Assignments:

Written Reflections:

  1. What is the Catholic understanding of the role of the individual conscience in moral decision making?
  2. What is the most important moral issue that affects you personally, and how can the Church’s teachings help you?
  3. In what ways is the Bible helpful for teaching Christian morality to others? How might using the Bible be difficult?

Dec. 4-6, 2009 – Weekend Silent Retreat (led by Sr. Barbra Ostheimer, S.N.D., and Jack Gonzalvez, from the Loyola Institute for Spirituality, Orange, CA)

Retreat Objectives:

Reading Assignments:

Written Reflections:


Reading and Writing Assignments – Spring 2010

Jan. 16-17, 2010 – Pastoral Skills & Competencies (with Lisa Nollette, B.A.)

Learning Objectives:

Reading Assignments:

Written Reflections:

  1. How am I already like Jesus, and in what ways am I not yet like Jesus? How can I become more Christ-like in my own life (in ministry, relationships, prayer, self-care, etc.)?
  2. What pastoral skills do I need to develop more or better in order to be a better minister?  How will I do this in the coming months and years? Please be concrete and specific.
  3. [Work with your group on the plans for your Final Project. Submit one proposal per group, not individually.]

Feb. 20-21, 2010 – Church History (with Timothy Matovina, Ph.D.)

Learning Objectives:

Reading Assignments:

Written Reflections:

  1. What do I think were the two or three most important periods in the history of Christianity? Why these?
  2. How do I react to learning about Church history? (with excitement, discomfort, boredom, resistance, fascination, etc.?)  Why do I react in this way? When I reflect upon my reaction honestly, what do I come to know about myself?
  3. How will learning more about Church history affect my own ministry? Please be concrete and specific.


March 13-14, 2010 – Catholicism & World Religions (with Fr. James Fredericks, Ph.D.)

Learning Objectives:

Reading Assignments:

Written Reflections:

  1. Why and how are the relationships that the Catholic Church has developed with the Jews different from our relationships with most other world religions?
  2. How would a better understanding of other world religions deepen my own Catholic faith and spirituality?
  3. Which world religion intrigues me the most? (choose just one for this paper). What appeals to me or confuses me about this religion, and why? What more do I need to learn, both as a person and as a minister?


April 17-18, 2010 – Spirituality (incl. Mary, Saints, Eschatology; with Fr. Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.)

Learning Objectives:

Reading Assignments:

Written Reflections:

  1. What forms of prayer are most meaningful to me? What spiritual practices help me to grow in my relationship with God?  What might I need to change in order to deepen that relationship?
  2. To what extent does the idea of the “communion of saints” impact my spirituality, and how?  What imagery of Mary do I find most meaningful in my life and in my ministry?
  3. How do I think about and imagine the “end-times”?  How do my eschatological understandings affect my spiritual life and my pastoral ministry right now?


Saturday, May 15, 2010 – Course Synthesis: Project/Presentations (with Fr. Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.)

Learning Objectives:

Reading Assignments:

Written Reflections:


Sunday, May 16, 2010 – Commissioning Ceremony (2:30 p.m. in the Cathedral)


Download a printable copy of the Assignments for Fall 2009 (in PDF format)

Download a printable copy of the Assignments for Spring 2010 (in PDF format)

Go to Reading and Writing Assignments – YEAR ONE

Return to the LEMP Homepage

 


For Program Information, please contact

Marc González, D.Min., Director
Department of Faith and Ministry Formation
Diocese of Las Vegas,  P.O. Box 18316
Las Vegas, NV 89114-8316

Phone: 702-735-6044;  Fax: 702-697-5917
Email: dr.gonzalez--at--dioceseoflasvegas.org
Website: www.lasvegas-diocese.org

For Academic Aspects, please contact

Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.
Loyola Institute for Spirituality
480 S. Batavia St.
Orange, CA 92868-3907

Phone: 714-997-9587 x28;  Fax: 714-997-9588
Email: fjust2000--at--yahoo.com
Website: www.catholic-resources.org


This page was last updated on September 13, 2010
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