Institutions
of Higher Learning
for Catechetical Leader Formation
TIGS
website >>
The
Archdiocese of Chicago wants to ensure that the future Lay Ecclesial
Ministers who serve its parishes and agencies possess a solid spiritual
and academic foundation out of which to exercise their ministry.
To
form ministers who embrace the fullness of the Catholic faith as handed
on by the Apostles, the Archdiocese works with the theological schools
in the Chicago area to assure that courses which help achieve that goal
are consistently available to lay ecclesial ministry candidates.
The Archdiocese also wants to ensure that while students are pursuing
their academic courses, they are also deeply immersed in a program of
spiritual formation within a supportive faith community of peers.
The
Archdiocese desires that students who hope to eventually minister in
Chicago parishes develop an identity as Archdiocesan Candidates who are
called, discerned, supported and commissioned to serve in the name of
the Church. To that end, lay students apply to the Archdiocese
seeking sponsorship at one of the theological schools, similar to the
way religious candidates are sponsored at those schools by their
congregation. Participation is required for new candidates who
hope to be employed by the archdiocese in designated areas of ministry.
Through
Together in God’s Service, the Archdiocese accompanies participants in
three ways during their time of academic study: 1) Supervising the
Academic Core Curriculum, 2) Providing the required Formation Program,
3) Offering Financial Assistance.
This
requirement is instituted as a service to the local church and as a gift
to future ministry students. For parishes, the program helps
assure ministers who are formed in the faith of the Apostles. For
individual candidates, the program answers the question: In whose name
do I serve? When participants of the program serve in parishes,
they will know that their ministry is exercised not only on their own
initiative, but also as a publicly recognized and authorized action
within this local ecclesial community
The
Institute of Pastoral Studies (IPS) prepares people for spiritual
leadership in church, society and the professions through six masters
and numerous advanced graduate certificate programs. IPS offers
transformative education for adult learners preparing for careers in
pastoral counseling, spiritual direction, social justice, religious
education and pastoral ministry.
Course
Listings
Degree Programs
M.Div.
M.A.,
Pastoral Studies
M.A.,
Religious Education
CTU
offers a variety of courses and degree programs for both lay and
religious people who are preparing for the ministry or who want to delve
deeper into their faith.
•
Doctor of
Ministry (D.Min.)
• Master of
Arts in Theology (M.A.)
• Master of Arts in
Pastoral Studies (M.A.P.S.)
• Master of
Divinity (M.Div.)
The theology
discipline offers courses designed for and available to all students, as
well as courses that serve major and minor programs in both theology and
pastoral ministry. Theology, in its root meaning, is the "science
of God." Another traditional definition is "faith seeking
understanding." In keeping with the distinctive character and
mission of Dominican University, this discipline offers courses that
emphasize both the Catholic Christian faith tradition and the
relationship of theology to the other arts and sciences.
Theology
/ Pastoral Ministry
Religious
Studies
Pastoral Ministry Institute
The presence
of the Institute within both the university and the Archdiocese of
Chicago provides responsive programming for ministerial preparation of
lay ecclesial ministers, deacon couples, and vowed religious leaders
assuming ever increasing authority in and responsibility for the life
and mission of a racially and culturally diverse church.
