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CATALOGUE OF COURSES

DIACONATE PROGRAM

BRD 10 PHILOSOPHY AND THE THEOLOGICAL ENDEAVOR
2 sem. hrs.
Students will be exposed to a historical survey of philosophy, stressing the major philosophical trends and schools, as well as assessing philosophers relevant to the study of Catholic theology. Critical thinking as an essential tool in moral decision making will be discussed.

BRD 11 PAUL: EVANGELIST, THEOLOGIAN, AND SERVANT
2 sem. hrs.
An examination of Paul's letters, his own experience of conversion, and the subsequent desire to become a servant of the risen Christ. In particular, the major sections of authentic Pauline material will be reviewed, as well as Paul's three missionary journeys.

BRD 12 UTILIZING THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
2 sem. hrs.
Through use of the first and second pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the student will gain a basic understanding of the knowledge of God, the nature of faith, and the origins and content of the articles of the creed. The student will also examine the centrality of the sacraments and the liturgy of the Catholic Church.

BRD 20 PROPHETS AND WISDOM LITERATURE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
2 sem. hrs.
This Old Testament course will focus on the call of the prophet, the prophetic tradition in Israel, and the message of the prophets. Also examined will be the great wisdom literature of the Old Testament, with emphasis on the books of Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Sirach, and the Wisdom of Solomon.

BRD 21 THE TRINITY IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
2 sem. hrs.
This course will be an in-depth study of the development of the Catholic Churchs understanding of the Trinity, with a focus on the early controversies and articulation of the faith of the Church's councils. The course will conclude with a discussion of the role and place of the Trinity in the life of the Catholic Christian community.

BRD 30 LITURGICAL RITES
2 sem. hrs.
An examination of many of the liturgical rites, as found in the rites books I and II. Particular emphasis will be given to those rites at which a deacon is called to preside or help in assisting the presider. (This course is followed by a non-credit practicum for deacon aspirants. The practicum will occur in the summer of the second year of diaconate study and will be carried out in participating parishes.)

BRD 31 MORAL THEOLOGY: CURRENT ISSUES
2 sem. hrs.
The student will apply the reasoning of Catholic moral theology to better understand Natural Law, the development of a Christian conscience, the teaching of the Catholic Church on issues of sexual morality issues, and such current issues of moral concern as cloning, fetal research, medical ethics, and genome theory.

BRD 32 SPIRITUAL TRADITION AND PERSONAL SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
2 sem. hrs.
This course will be based on a study of the catechetical method in the teaching of the Catholic Church's rich spiritual heritage. Students will focus on the ancient traditions of prayer and the application of this heritage to contemporary life. Students will formulate a personal appropriation of this spiritual heritage as they seek to grow in the life of the Spirit through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

BRD 40 PASTORAL CARE IN HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES, AND PRISONS
2 sem. hrs.
This course will examine the use of pastoral counseling techniques for working in institutions, primarily hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons. The dynamics of each of these three institutional settings will be studied. Further examination will focus on ministering in the pastoral care institutions (such as hospitals, nursing homes, prisons) that are located within the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

BRD 42 SACRAMENTS AND CATECHESIS
2 sem. hrs.
A study of the nature and place of the seven Sacraments in the life of the Church, their communal nature and catechetical methods of instruction in the proper understanding of their reception and celebration. Special emphasis will be given to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

Non-Credit Practicum (see BRD 30):
Liturgical Rites and Pastoral Care of the Sick

BRD 50 HOMILETICS/SCRIPTURE/PREACHING
2 sem. hrs.
Students will study the homily as an act of evangelization and/or catechesis of God's word. Students will also learn techniques of both public speaking and public proclamation of the Word in preaching. Students will write homilies and have them critiqued for structure and delivery.

BRD 51 PARISH LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION
2 sem. hrs.
This course will examine parish governance and structure and the function of parish administrators in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Emphasis will be placed on an understanding of the pagella and policies that impact the administration of a parish. A look at total stewardship, practical leadership in both large and small parishes, the development of ministries within the parish, and effective pastoral practices will be discussed.

BRD 52 CANON LAW OF MARRIAGE
2 sem. hrs.
Students will examine essential properties of marriage according to canon law. This course will cover a number of aspects of marriage in the Catholic Church, including, but not limited to, catechesis and the preparation for marriage, the validity of marriage, impediments to marriage, prior marriage bonds, matrimonial consent, and the dissolution of marriage.

BRD 60 THE GOSPELS AS A SOURCE FOR HOMILIES
2 sem. hrs.
This course will center on the study of the teachings of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. The student will be exposed to the methods of working with themes in these teachings in the double context of scriptural exegesis and homily preparation.

BRD 61 CHURCH: STRUCTURE AND LAW
2 sem. hrs.
A study of the nature of the Church as seen through the writings of the Church Fathers, the evolving historical form of Church structure and ministry, and the Church's missionary vocation. The course is built around the vision of the Church as articulated in The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church from Vatican Council II. The student will also study the theoretical basis of law in the Church and the pastoral function of Canon Law.