Certificate in Teaching Religion

Rationale

In line with its mission of contributing toward the formulation of able professionals and leaders for church and nation and actively addressing vital contemporary social and moral issues, DLSU offers a Certificate Program in Teaching Religion.

After the Second Vatican Council which ushered in the age of the laity, formation centers for catechists or evangelization became and urgent need in the church. The Philippines has Catholic/parochial schools at elementary and high school levels which are always in need of qualified religion teachers. Parishes that sponsor seminars for adult formation can find it much easier and less costly to send active parishioners to a formation center. The Certificate in Teaching Religion is a response to these needs.

OBJECTIVES:

  1. To provide basic formation for
    • catechist
    • secondary school teachers
    • parish workers
    • those who already have a college degree but are not interested in pursuing a master’s degree
  2. those who have not yet completed a college degree and are not interested in pursuing a degree coursTo provide sufficient background in theology/religious education for catechists and parish lay associates who wish to pursue graduate studies in religious education.

SCHEDULE

Classes are held on Saturdays during the school year. Summer classes are held daily.

UNITS

Units are for the Certificate Program and not credited for a degree.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Forty (40) scholarships are available, and candidates will be selected from those recommended by their parish priest. However, the parish is expected to support the candidate’s transportation and book expenses.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

1. SUMMER — 6 units

Sacred Scripture I: Old Testament (REV4120)
3 Units

This course introduces the students to the background content, literary quality and message of the Old Testament as a whole and of its various books. The Old Testament will be presented as God’s initial revelation to humankind and viewed as an indispensable foundation on which the New Testament is built.

In the light of the history of the Jewish people (that is from the Patriarchal Period to Greek Era) focus will be given to the Five Great Events or Themes of the Old Testament.

Sacred Scripture II: New Testament (REV4130)
3 Units

This course introduces the students to the background content, literary quality and message of the New Testament as a whole and of its various books. The New Testament will be presented as the definitive stage of God’s revelation in Jesus.

This course will also provide the foundation for Christology, Theology of the Church and Ministry.

Towards the end of the course, the students must be able to apply exegesis on certain New Testament passages.

2. FIRST TRIMESTER — 6 units

Catholic Doctrines (REV4110)
3 Units

This course seeks to present a synthesis of the fundamental doctrines of the Catholic faith in the light of Vatican II. It provides content for the study of the twelve articles of the Creed. This is undertaken in the light of the Philippine situation. With these are the references to the teaching of the Catechism for Filipino Catholics (CFC). The course studies the summary of the baptismal profession of faith.

Church History (REV4140)
3 Units

The course deals with the study of the Church’s origin, nature, function, structure, and mission in the world; the aspects which the Second Vatican Council wishes to answer in its two major documents: Lumen Gentium and Gaudium et Spes.

3. SECOND TRIMESTER — 6 units

Sacraments (REV4200)
3 Units

This course focuses on the worship dimension of the Christian faith. The discussion of the seven sacraments will be grounded in both Christ as the Primordial Sacrament and the Church as the Foundational Sacrament.

Catholic Moral Teaching (REV4050)
3 Units

This course is an introduction to the ethical teachings of the Roman Catholic Church for catechists working in the contemporary Philippine context. Following the framework of the National Catechetical Directory of the Philippines (NCDP), this course will pay careful attention to the meaning of Catholic Morality as a response to God’s call in the context of the Church Community.

This course leads the students through a careful examination of morality discussions and the role the students play in living as disciples of Christ. Then, following the topics of the NCDP, the course examines the moral reasoning and historical background of official Catholic Moral Teaching.

4. THIRD TRIMESTER — 6 units

Catechetics I (REV4010)
3 Units

The course is divided into two parts; the first part focuses on the contents of the Catechism for Filipino Catholics (CFC), while the second part deals with methodology wherein discussion of the NCDP’s Integration approach is coupled with practicum. Hence, the catechists will do actual lesson planning and lesson planning and lesson demonstration by group.
Pre-requisite

Catholic Social Teachings (REV4040)
3 Units

This is a study of the social teachings of the Church with emphasis on integral human development and praxis theology. The course answers the question: What does it mean to be a Filipino Christian in today’s business world, and what are the implications of the Christian faith in one’s professional life?

5. SUMMER — 6 units

Catechetics II (REV4020)
3 Units

A sequel to Catechetics I, this provides for the students the experience of applying foundational principles of catechesis in lesson planning and in organizing various enriching activities of today’s pastoral work both in the parishes and in the schools.

Through lectures and class discussions, the participants will be introduced to the theories and principles underlying specific pastoral activities expected from them as religious educators. Particular attention will be given to PCP II documents.

Christian Integration / Synthesis (REV4030)
3 Units

This course is a synthesis of the previous major courses, reflection on them, and practical applications to the ministries in which the students are involved. The course is an integration of the “three elements of Word, Worship and Witness in all forms of catechesis and at all levels.” According to NCDP no. 414 this is “a basic criterion for evaluating the soundness and effectivity of all catechetical programs and materials, because it corresponds to the primary law of all catechetical pedagogy, namely, the double fidelity to God and to man in Jesus Christ.” The basic framework to be used is the Judaeo-Christian Tradition understood as the dynamic continuation of the life of the Christian community.