Msgr. Brian Moore, Director of the Pastoral Ministry Formation Program, will be teaching a one-hour elective course this fall titled, "World Religions." This course will be an overview of the basic elements, historical development, and present situation of four of the great religions of the world: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.

One class day will be spent on each of these religions. The presentation will include visual material from a DVD as well as the usual lecture and slides. Through the course, the students should become familiar with the most basic beliefs and practices of each of the religions.

The World Religions course is offered through interactive television at nine sites throughout the diocese, and meets on four Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m.-Noon. The dates for the classes are August 20, September 17, October 1, and November 12.

For more information, contact Coleen Stein, Coordinator, 225-2156.

Don’t let the title of this Pastoral Ministry Formation course intimidate or frighten you away. Enter into and experience the mystery with others throughout the diocese as Father Robert Schremmer, vicar general and pastor of St. Andrew, Wright, teaches this one-hour course on four Wednesday evenings; Aug. 31, Sept. 14, 21 and 28. The course is titled; THEO 4881: Mysterious Mystagogia.

Is it possible to take the mystery out of Mystagogia? The answer is "no!" Mystagogia is all about mystery.

But it is more like discerning which came first, the chicken or the egg, than it is concluding that it was Colonel Mustard, with a candlestick, in the library. It is a lot like knowing why someone loves you and how you show that you love them. Even more, it is about the mystery of faith we proclaim each Mass.

What is Mystagogy and how can one be a mystagogue?

Is it the last weary and confusing days of RCIA that are often shortened or even skipped? Is it some kind of special way of teaching some kind of special information? Is it a way of knowing and understanding that is uniquely available to those who are initiated through Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist? Is a mystagogue a teacher, a catechist, a sponsor, a detective, or a magician?

Mysterious Mystagogia provides a survey of answers, resources and approaches to these questions. Mysterious Mystagogia will provide a specific format for the final period of RCIA that has implications and uses throughout the RCIA process, as well as, throughout parish life particularly ministry with late adolescents and young adults. Mysterious Mystagogia will present specific and practical implications with stewardship, ministry, and vocation concerns.

Mysterious Mystagogia will be taught over the ITV system at eight locations throughout the diocese, including our newest ITV location in Sharon (Barber County). Class begins at 6:00 p.m. and concludes at 9:30 p.m. This class can be taken for college credit $45 or personal enrichment $22.50. For more information, contact your pastor or Coleen Stein, Coordinator of the Pastoral Ministry Formation Program, (620) 225-2156.

Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as the text, the course will examine in depth the teaching of our tradition on the person and work of Christ. This will involve a greater understanding of the Scriptures, of the development found in the early Church, and of the teaching of the ecumenical councils. The presentation will show how this teaching impacts one’s understanding of the Church and of the sacraments. The implications of our Christology for spirituality, liturgy, and pastoral work will also be examined.

Msgr. Brian Moore will be teaching THEO 4003 Christology, a three-hour core course, on nine Saturday mornings this fall: Sept. 24, Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, Dec. 3, 10, and 17. The class meets from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Anyone can take Christology for credit $135 or for personal enrichment $67.50.

Msgr. Brian Moore is currently the Director of the Pastoral Ministry Formation Program, Director of Priests Continuing Education, Director of Seminarians, Diocesan Liturgist and parochial vicar at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

For more information on the course, Christology, contact your pastor or Coleen Stein, (620) 225-2156.