Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius · Courses
PR
14 courses with the subject PR, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
PR 100INTRODUCTION TO RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
This introductory course is a practical introduction to religious education focusing on ministries of learning and teaching in Catholic communities. It explores the dynamics of individual and communal faith formation in diverse contexts, drawing on a range of perspectives from theology and the philosophy of education. Students will: • Identify the role of catechists as twofold – to help others grow in their knowledge and love of God and to recognize how they as catechists continue to grow in spiritual formation. • Apply teaching approaches appropriate to the Catholic faith. • Design educational strategies appropriate to the different age groups in the catechetical program. • Describe how to plan lessons that address the different learning styles and methods for different age groups. • Construct effective ways to use the Bible in catechesis. • Express how our encounters with Christ experienced through the Holy Mysteries help us become one with Christ. • Recognize that the goal of our faith development program is to help all of us become Christ-like in all that we do. 2 hours; 1 semester
The goal of this semester course is to study the pastoral tradition of the Church and its development from the Greek Fathers, transitioning to the Enlightenment, and harmonizing the former with the teachings of Vatican II. The first semester will examine pastoral ministry formed by the Word of God and assisted by contemporary psychological developments. The student will be able: • To investigate the origins of pastoral care in the patristic church, in the Reformed churches, and in secular counseling schools. • To understand the content and rhythm of the pastoral encounter. • To discern the proclamation of the forgiveness of sins, or the assessment and application of the need for “healing of the soul,” in the pastoral encounter. • To understand what boundaries are, why they exist, and how they are established and are operative, and how to uphold their integrity. • The pastoral encounter identified by its inherent power, authority, balances, and imbalances in the pastoral interaction. • To identify mental health and spiritual sicknesses, i.e., to define and to recognize each. • To refer for illness: neuroses, psychoses, addiction, congenital-inherited deficiency, spiritual struggles, and possession. 2 hours; 1 semester 70 B.C.S. Academic Catalog – FINAL February 12, 2025
This introductory course examines the history, process, and methodology of catechetics and presents techniques and skills for the catechist for various age levels from primary to adult learners. It also explores the role of the priest in the overall faith formation in pastoral ministry. Students will obtain: • The ability to integrate theological studies with the practice of pastoral ministry and religious education in church-related settings. • The knowledge of foundational areas of Catholic theology, as determined by national certification standards for parish leaders in pastoral ministry and religious education. • The ability to develop goals and supervise religious education. • The ability to engage in analytical thinking to bridge the gap between academic and practically oriented theology of the church classroom. 2 hours; 1 semester
During the summer between the second and third year of theological studies, B.C.S. seminarians are enrolled in the UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside CPE Program. From late May to early August, seminarians receive clinical training and supervision in pastoral education and care in an interfaith setting according to the CPSP accreditation Standards. Upon successful completion of the program, performance evaluation is conducted and one credit hour of CPE is earned.
Future clergy will be called upon to lead the people of God; manage church resources; manage church finances; develop budgets; engage in planning; manage church property; etc. Students will be prepared to embark upon a life of pastoral ministry and to possess necessary knowledge about leadership skills and administrative management. In order to successfully discharge those administrative duties, students must acquire a variety of skills. This course is designed to build a foundation for successful pastoral leadership. This course will provide students with the necessary knowledge to discharge effectively their administrative duties in pastoral ministry in order to become successful leaders. The main objective of this course is to provide students with the necessary administrative and pastoral leadership skills: • To act professionally and use best practices in the administrative activities in their pastoral ministry. • To understand legal principles applicable to pastoral ministry. • To understand financial principles applicable to pastoral ministry. 72 B.C.S. Academic Catalog – FINAL February 12, 2025
This course introduces students to the foundational themes of spiritual direction in the Catholic Tradition with special attention to the distinctive teachings of the Greek Fathers and the Eastern Christian traditions that flowed from them. By the end of the semester, students should be able: • To understand and explain the purpose and process of spiritual direction in a seminary versus parish life. • To use spiritual direction for personal spiritual growth. • To use the open-ended nature spiritual direction in practical ministry. • To understand the spirituality of various vocations. • To teach the art of fostering the spiritual life of those entrusted to one’s care. 1 hour; 1 semester (Pass/Fail)
Studies of particular themes, periods or texts in Pastoral Practice may be offered as an elective of 1-3 credits depending on enrollment, students’ needs and interests, faculty availability and approval of the Dean.
This course reviews and practices the presbyteral and diaconal rubrics for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. This includes a brief review of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. The seminarian will be able to: • Explain confidently his understanding of the structure of the Divine Liturgy. • Properly celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the role of deacon. • Properly celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the role of priest. • Show prayerfulness, grace, and confidence in the performance of ritual. • Be clear and prayerful in the chanted recitation of liturgical texts. 2 hours; 1 semester (Pass/Fail)
PR 502LITURGICAL PRACTICUM II – Vesper, Matins and Presanctified
This course reviews and practices the presbyteral and diaconal rubrics for the celebration of Vespers, Matins, and the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, including their unique orders in Holy Week and Bright Week. The seminarian will be able to: • Explain confidently his understanding of the structure of the Divine Praises. • Properly celebrate Great Vespers and Festal Matins in the role of deacon. • Properly celebrate Vespers, Matins, and Presanctified Liturgy in the role of priest. • Show prayerfulness, grace, and confidence in the performance of ritual. • Be clear and prayerful in the chanted recitation of liturgical texts. 2 hours; 1 semester (Pass/Fail)
PR 503LITURGICAL PRACTICUM III – Sacramental Mysteries
This course reviews and practices the presbyteral and diaconal rubrics for the celebration of the Sacramental Mysteries, with the exception of Penance, which is conducted in Liturgical Practicum IV. This course also includes a brief review of the Typikon as well as a review of the Divine Liturgy. The seminarian will be able to: • Explain confidently his understanding of the structure of the Holy Mysteries. 73 B.C.S. Academic Catalog – FINAL February 12, 2025
This course reviews and practices the presbyteral and diaconal rubrics for the celebration of the services for the departed, blessings, and akathist and moleben services. A special focus on the priestly role in the Mystery of Repentance is included, as well as a review of the Divine Liturgy. This course allows for role-playing and analysis. The seminarian will be able to: • Explain confidently his understanding of the structure of funeral services. • Properly celebrate the funeral in the role of deacon. • Properly celebrate the funeral, the mystery of repentance, and the akathist in the role of priest. • Show prayerfulness, grace, and confidence in the performance of ritual. • Be clear and prayerful in the chanted recitation of liturgical texts. 2 hours; 1 semester (Pass/Fail) 74 B.C.S. Academic Catalog – FINAL February 12, 2025
