Welcome! This one-semester sophomore course explores the doctrinal, theological, liturgical, and historical dimensions of the seven sacraments in the Catholic faith community. This blog will serve as our class website and a helpful resource for the whole semester.
2/29/2012
Reminder: Unit 2 Exam
The Unit 2 exam over Baptism and Confirmation will be next week before spring break. Check the class calendar for dates and review sessions. If you have academic accommodations please contact Mr. Simon so you can take the exam in his office.
Coming of Age: Intro to Confirmation
HOMEWORK FOR MARCH 1/2:
*Write a one page summary explaining a time when you had a 'coming of age' experience in your life; i.e., a time when you felt as though you matured or were transformed by a powerful moment or experience. Perhaps, after this experience you felt more like an adult and your parents, friends, or family saw you as a man rather than a boy. Re-tell this experience in your own words.
*Read, "Vision Quest" handout and take notes
*Unit 2 Project: Faith, Family, and Fun
CLASS NOTES FOR FEBRUARY 28/29:
Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation? Saint Augustine believed in the idea of a visible and invisible church. He said that the invisible church, within the visible church, are those people that are the true Christians. These people are the elect.
Karl Rahner borrowed from this idea and reversed the concept in a more inclusive way that included people of various other faith traditions and people with no faith tradition at all. The visible church consists of those people that profess Christianity as their belief, and the invisible church would be made up of those that are not a part of the church. He argued that all human beings have some sort of awareness of God (even though it is often easily missed) and a response to God's grace is sharing in the divine life.
Today we read the short story "Shaving" by Leslie Norris in class. Here's a link for more information on Norris. And a PDF copy of the article if you were absent.
*Write a one page summary explaining a time when you had a 'coming of age' experience in your life; i.e., a time when you felt as though you matured or were transformed by a powerful moment or experience. Perhaps, after this experience you felt more like an adult and your parents, friends, or family saw you as a man rather than a boy. Re-tell this experience in your own words.
*Read, "Vision Quest" handout and take notes
*Unit 2 Project: Faith, Family, and Fun
CLASS NOTES FOR FEBRUARY 28/29:
Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation? Saint Augustine believed in the idea of a visible and invisible church. He said that the invisible church, within the visible church, are those people that are the true Christians. These people are the elect.
Karl Rahner borrowed from this idea and reversed the concept in a more inclusive way that included people of various other faith traditions and people with no faith tradition at all. The visible church consists of those people that profess Christianity as their belief, and the invisible church would be made up of those that are not a part of the church. He argued that all human beings have some sort of awareness of God (even though it is often easily missed) and a response to God's grace is sharing in the divine life.
Today we read the short story "Shaving" by Leslie Norris in class. Here's a link for more information on Norris. And a PDF copy of the article if you were absent.
2/21/2012
A Brief History of the Catechumenate
HOMEWORK FOR FEBRUARY 21/22:
*Read CCCC nos. 252-264
HOMEWORK FOR FEBRUARY 23/24:
*Read Harcourt, pp. 70-74
*Read handout "Confirmation: A Sacrament in Search of a Theology"
CLASS NOTES FOR FEBRUARY 21/22:
Baptism in the early church was primarily for believing adults who had expressed some belief in Jesus (Acts 8-10) and most of the earliest Christians were Jewish. Shortly thereafter there was a wide variety of converts to Christianity -- every person with their own philosophical, cultural, or religious background -- a process of initiation was needed because a simple profession in Jesus was no longer adequate. Therefore, if someone was attracted to the Christian life then they would need a sponsor or member of the Christian community that would help throughout the moral and spiritual formation. This process took roughly two or three years or preparation before they could be presented for baptism into the community. This lengthy process of preparation and formation was called the catechumenate, which in Greek means 'instruction.' Since persecution and death for the Christian faith were real dangers in the early church, many Christian communities told catechumens little about their meeting places. Although some people believe Christians in the early church lived in hiding, historians disagree with that presumption and argue that Christianity was unofficially tolerated and Christians could be easily identified because of their counter-cultural behavior (no participation in pagan rituals and sacrifices).
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, photo by Gashwin
After Constantine's Edict in 313 CE it was no longer necessary for Christians communities to have their liturgies in hiding since Christianity became the official religion over night. As the number of conversions increased dramatically it was clear that the lengthy catechumenate process (typically two to three years) must be shortened to accommodate the number of members. The restrictions on permissible occupations for Christians also began to become more lax and it was sometimes difficult to tell whether those who wished to join the church did so out of conviction or convenience (Martos).
*Read CCCC nos. 252-264
HOMEWORK FOR FEBRUARY 23/24:
*Read Harcourt, pp. 70-74
*Read handout "Confirmation: A Sacrament in Search of a Theology"
CLASS NOTES FOR FEBRUARY 21/22:
Baptism in the early church was primarily for believing adults who had expressed some belief in Jesus (Acts 8-10) and most of the earliest Christians were Jewish. Shortly thereafter there was a wide variety of converts to Christianity -- every person with their own philosophical, cultural, or religious background -- a process of initiation was needed because a simple profession in Jesus was no longer adequate. Therefore, if someone was attracted to the Christian life then they would need a sponsor or member of the Christian community that would help throughout the moral and spiritual formation. This process took roughly two or three years or preparation before they could be presented for baptism into the community. This lengthy process of preparation and formation was called the catechumenate, which in Greek means 'instruction.' Since persecution and death for the Christian faith were real dangers in the early church, many Christian communities told catechumens little about their meeting places. Although some people believe Christians in the early church lived in hiding, historians disagree with that presumption and argue that Christianity was unofficially tolerated and Christians could be easily identified because of their counter-cultural behavior (no participation in pagan rituals and sacrifices).
After Constantine's Edict in 313 CE it was no longer necessary for Christians communities to have their liturgies in hiding since Christianity became the official religion over night. As the number of conversions increased dramatically it was clear that the lengthy catechumenate process (typically two to three years) must be shortened to accommodate the number of members. The restrictions on permissible occupations for Christians also began to become more lax and it was sometimes difficult to tell whether those who wished to join the church did so out of conviction or convenience (Martos).
2/17/2012
Essential Rite of Baptism
HOMEWORK FOR FEBRUARY 20 "C" DAY: Finish reading the Harcourt chapter on Baptism. Closed note quiz on Monday.
CLASS NOTES FOR FEBRUARY 16/17:
Each sacrament confers two things upon those who celebrate them: 1) the religious reality or grace; and 2) the ecclesial, or "Church" reality, that in the case of baptism is referred to as the sacramental character.
The essential rite of baptism is made up of a form/matter. Form is the words that are used during the sacramental rite and matter is the objects or actions that we use during the sacramental rite. The essential rite of baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water or pouring water over the person's head while invoking the name of the trinity. Every person that is not yet baptized can receive baptism. The ordinary ministers of baptism are bishops and priests. In cases of necessity, any person can baptize provided s/he has the intention of doing what the Church does.
The post-baptismal anointing with chrism marks the newly baptized as a member of Christ who is priest, prophet, and king. As priests, we are called to be holy and to make the world holy through our prayer and sacrifices. As prophets, we preach the gospel by what we say and what we do. As kings, we share in Christ's ministry as servant-king in working towards a more just, peaceful, and compassionate world.
CLASS NOTES FOR FEBRUARY 16/17:
Each sacrament confers two things upon those who celebrate them: 1) the religious reality or grace; and 2) the ecclesial, or "Church" reality, that in the case of baptism is referred to as the sacramental character.
The essential rite of baptism is made up of a form/matter. Form is the words that are used during the sacramental rite and matter is the objects or actions that we use during the sacramental rite. The essential rite of baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water or pouring water over the person's head while invoking the name of the trinity. Every person that is not yet baptized can receive baptism. The ordinary ministers of baptism are bishops and priests. In cases of necessity, any person can baptize provided s/he has the intention of doing what the Church does.
The post-baptismal anointing with chrism marks the newly baptized as a member of Christ who is priest, prophet, and king. As priests, we are called to be holy and to make the world holy through our prayer and sacrifices. As prophets, we preach the gospel by what we say and what we do. As kings, we share in Christ's ministry as servant-king in working towards a more just, peaceful, and compassionate world.
Images of Baptism in the New Testament
Make sure you are familiar with the images, metaphors, and similies St. Paul (as well as other New Testament writers) uses to describe the effects of Baptism. If you did not write down the image from class, make sure you do so on your own.
Group 1: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Ephesians 1:13-14
Group 2: Romans 6:1-19
Group 3: 2 Corinthians 1:21,
1 Peter 2:9
Group 4: Romans 8:12-13
Group 5: Colossians 3:9-11, Galatians 3:27-29
Group 6: John 3:5, Titus 3:5-7
Group 7: Galatians 4:4-5,
Romans 8:14-17, 23
Group 8: Hebrews 10:32,
1 Peter 2:9
Group 2: Romans 6:1-19
Group 3: 2 Corinthians 1:21,
1 Peter 2:9
Group 4: Romans 8:12-13
Group 5: Colossians 3:9-11, Galatians 3:27-29
Group 6: John 3:5, Titus 3:5-7
Group 7: Galatians 4:4-5,
Romans 8:14-17, 23
Group 8: Hebrews 10:32,
1 Peter 2:9
Original Sin
HOMEWORK FOR FEBRUARY 16/17:
*Read the article "Infant Baptism and Adult Faith," by Michael Drumm. *Complete the "Baptism Interview Project"
CLASS NOTES FOR FEBRUARY 14/15:
Original Sin in which all human beings are born, is the state of deprivation of original holiness and justice. It is a sin "contracted" by us not "committed"; it is a state of birth and not a personal act. Because of the original unity of all human beings, it is transmitted to the descendants of Adam "not by imitation, but by propagation." The effects of Original Sin are that we are subject to 1)ignorance, 2)suffering, 3) death, and 4) concupiscence. Concupiscence is simply the inclination or tendency to sin.
Most contemporary theologians reject the belief that Original Sin is simply a sinful act of "the first man" or is the collective guilt for the sin of one person. Original Sin is more of a history that we are born into and the way in which human history has unfolded. In the twentieth century alone think of World Wars I and II (approximately 70 million people were killed); The Holocaust, Mao's regime in China, Stalin, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, segregation and racism, etc. In other words, we are born into a human history that precedes us. We inherit this history in some way; we have inherited disordered relationships, violence, conflicts, sexism, etc. We are born into a milieu that has destruction, aggression, racism, and injustice. Because we are historical creatures, we inherit the gritty reality of this history.
*Read the article "Infant Baptism and Adult Faith," by Michael Drumm. *Complete the "Baptism Interview Project"
CLASS NOTES FOR FEBRUARY 14/15:
Original Sin in which all human beings are born, is the state of deprivation of original holiness and justice. It is a sin "contracted" by us not "committed"; it is a state of birth and not a personal act. Because of the original unity of all human beings, it is transmitted to the descendants of Adam "not by imitation, but by propagation." The effects of Original Sin are that we are subject to 1)ignorance, 2)suffering, 3) death, and 4) concupiscence. Concupiscence is simply the inclination or tendency to sin.
Most contemporary theologians reject the belief that Original Sin is simply a sinful act of "the first man" or is the collective guilt for the sin of one person. Original Sin is more of a history that we are born into and the way in which human history has unfolded. In the twentieth century alone think of World Wars I and II (approximately 70 million people were killed); The Holocaust, Mao's regime in China, Stalin, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, segregation and racism, etc. In other words, we are born into a human history that precedes us. We inherit this history in some way; we have inherited disordered relationships, violence, conflicts, sexism, etc. We are born into a milieu that has destruction, aggression, racism, and injustice. Because we are historical creatures, we inherit the gritty reality of this history.
2/08/2012
Intro to Baptism
HOMEWORK FOR FEBRUARY 8/9:
*Read CCCC nos. 73-78
*Reading quiz over nos. 73-78
*Complete Journal Post on class discussion board
*Comment on your peers' posts
CLASS NOTES FROM FEBRUARY 6/7:
Water is a natural symbol and it is possibly one of the oldest symbols in human history. Ritual washings, cleansings, and bathings are common in many religious and were even part of the ancient religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia (Martos, 148). It tends to symbolize many things: life, death, cleansing, refreshment, etc. Even today, Hindus bathe in the Ganges river as a symbol of paying homage to their ancestors and cleansing themselves in sacred waters. Similarly, in Judaism Mikvehs (pools with fresh water) have been used for ritual purification washings after sexual intercourse, childbirth, or other activities.
John the Baptist preached a message of conversion and repentance of sins and the many people that underwent his ritual washings in the river Jordan accepted his call for a change of heart. It is likely that in the early church adults were fully immersed or submerged in water when they were baptized. It is unlike, however, that children were baptized in the early church. Baptism was mostly for believing adults that had expressed or professed some faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism comes from the Greek word, bapto which means to dip or immerse.
Throughout most of church history there has been a heavy emphasis on the change of heart of conversion that happens with baptism. Conversion is the sincere change of mind, heart, and desire to turn from evil and sin towards God.
*Read CCCC nos. 73-78
*Reading quiz over nos. 73-78
*Complete Journal Post on class discussion board
*Comment on your peers' posts
CLASS NOTES FROM FEBRUARY 6/7:
Water is a natural symbol and it is possibly one of the oldest symbols in human history. Ritual washings, cleansings, and bathings are common in many religious and were even part of the ancient religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia (Martos, 148). It tends to symbolize many things: life, death, cleansing, refreshment, etc. Even today, Hindus bathe in the Ganges river as a symbol of paying homage to their ancestors and cleansing themselves in sacred waters. Similarly, in Judaism Mikvehs (pools with fresh water) have been used for ritual purification washings after sexual intercourse, childbirth, or other activities.
John the Baptist preached a message of conversion and repentance of sins and the many people that underwent his ritual washings in the river Jordan accepted his call for a change of heart. It is likely that in the early church adults were fully immersed or submerged in water when they were baptized. It is unlike, however, that children were baptized in the early church. Baptism was mostly for believing adults that had expressed or professed some faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism comes from the Greek word, bapto which means to dip or immerse.
Throughout most of church history there has been a heavy emphasis on the change of heart of conversion that happens with baptism. Conversion is the sincere change of mind, heart, and desire to turn from evil and sin towards God.
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