USHAW Living Theology 2004

Held from Saturday, 24 July - Friday, 30 July

Afternoon Lecture Series (3 lectures)

'Practical Liturgy '
Fr. Tim Curtis SJ

This course aims to share and develop ideas for lay-led liturgies, whether for households or for parish communities.
It is hoped that some of the work explored in practical sessions may be integrated into the Ushaw liturgies.
This year's afternoon lectures will be given by three separate guest lecturers.

Lecture 1
'Called to be peacemakers: the call of Christ in a world of violence'
given by Mr Christopher Cole (Director of the Eirene Centre for Peace Studies, Clopton)

Lecture 2
'Understanding difference: Christian reflections on a 'clash of civilisations'
given by Dr Gwen Griffiths-Dickson (Birkbeck College, London)

Lecture 3
'Christian politics in a world of need'
given by Fr Patrick Shanahan MAfr

 

LT Ushaw 2004 Courses:

Series A Lecture Options

A1 Human Virtues and God's Perfections: Biblical readings in both Testaments

Fr Robert Murray , S.J.

Key concepts such as truth, fidelity and faith; loyalty, love, compassion and mercy; righteousness, justice and repentance, will be studied in major texts to trace developments in understanding from O.T. through N.T, to modern English.

A2 Some theological issues in St Paul's Letter to the Romans

Fr John Hemer MHM

Why do we need a Saviour? What does Christ actually do for us? We will examine some of these big theological issues of the first 8 chapters of Romans. We will go on to look at their pastoral implications through the second half of Paul's letter.

A3 The Restoration of our Human Nature

Fr Brendan Callaghan SJ

'The Resurrection will bring about the restoration of our human nature in its original form,' said Gregory of Nyssa (C4). We will draw on the resources of psychological research and reflection, particularly those relating to growth and transformation, to explore how we might understand this in our day.

A4 Christology for Today's World

Fr Dominic Robinson SJ

This course will explore contemporary understandings of Christ for their relevance to us and the world of today. It will cover the search for the historical Jesus, the doctrine of Christ, true God and true man, contemporary Christological models, Word and Spirit Christology, and the question of Christ and the religions.

A5 The mysticism of the 'Way of Negation'

Dr Elizabeth Dutton

The Via Negativa (Way of Negation) has been one of the most fruitful paths of meditation in the western Christian tradition, with an influence on the rhought and prayer of theologians and philosophers throughout the centuries. This tradition will be examined through medieval texts, and its influence explored.

A6 Towards a new theology of marriage?

Dr Helen Costigane SHCJ

This module looks at the princiupal themes of the theology of marriage in contemporary perspective, will consider some Canon Law issues, and will pay particular attention to the issue of pastoral care in situations of marriage breakdown.

A7 Part 1: Really Useful Psychology for Pastoral Workers - Roger Dawson SJ

This three-session course will include an explanation of ways we relate to people, research into the various ways of helping people and practical skills required to support people, using bereavement as an example. The course will be interactive, using feedback and roleplays.

Part 2: Presenting the Bible through drama - John Moffatt SJ

The three sessions will examine ways of interpreting the Bible through drama as a tool for Parish work and youth catechesis. The sessions will comprise interpretation of text, performance, reflection and sharing of skills.

 

LT Ushaw 2004 Courses:

Series B Lecture Options

B1 Christian Virtue Ethics

Mr Nick Austin SJ

This course provides an introduction to person-centred 'virtue ethics' in contrast to rule-based ethics, as well as focussing on some specific virtues. Reference will be made to the thought of Thomas Aquinas, as well as attempts to rethink Christian virtue ethics for today.

B2 Matthew - the first Catechist?

Fr Nick King SJ

Some scholars think that Matthew's gospel was the first ever handbook for Cchristian catechists. This course will invite participants to look closely at the text of the first gospel, to see what clues Matthew gives about what he thought he was doing. Participants should bring at least a New Testament to the classes.

B3 '666 and All That': Six Sessions on the Book of Revelation

Fr Peter Edmonds SJ

We always read the final chapter of books we love and value. The Book of Revalation is the concluding chapter of the whole Bible. We hope this week to show that not only does this book make sense, but it is relevant to our understanding of Christianity and to the quality of our lives.

B4 Celebrating Sacrifice

Billy Hewett SJ

Rene Girard's insights explained and applied to the meanings of sacrifice in historical, scriptural, dogmatic, eschatological and liturgical contexts; a living theological approach for contenporary communication in practice.

B5 The Hindu Path to Liberation

Fr Ian Latham LBJ

It is not enough to live a good life in this world. It is necessary to escape from the wheel of reincarnation. Hindu concepts of liberation examined through the Bhagavad-gits, Upanishads and today's Hindu thinkers.

B6 Exploring liturgy and music today

Mr Ian Coleman

This course aims to analyse what we do and what we are being told to do when we worship God in music. It is not only for specialists, though musicians will find it particularly relevant, nor is it another 'How to sing the Mass' course., though participants may find themselves singing like canaries at certain stages during the course.