PA720CE Intermediate Homiletics: Preaching the Lectionary

Course Syllabus

PA720CE Intermediate Homiletics: Preaching the Lectionary

Course Format

A twelve-week course consisting of on-line studies, on-line collaboration, weekly blog involvement, and recorded homilies by the participants.

Course Description

This course begins with a quick review of the basics of homiletics as described in contemporary magisterial teaching.   The course will then quickly move in the practical dimensions of preparing homilies through a critical and prayerful reading of the scriptures associated with the various seasons of the Liturgical Year, as well as using the Liturgical Year itself as a valuable resource in preaching.  Student homilies will be uploaded and viewed by the rest of the class, giving an opportunity for constructive feedback.  Included will be opportunities for preaching at seasonal celebrations such as the sacred Triduum, Christmas Midnight Mass, Pentecost, and even selected Sundays of Ordinary Time.

Goals of the Course

1. To develop an appreciation of the influence of the Liturgical Year on preaching.
2. To provide an opportunity for preparing homilies for occasions not normally associated with the diaconate.
3. To consider the relationship of homiletics to other Catholic theological and pastoral sources.
4. To situate the homily within its broader liturgical and sacramental context.

Learning Objectives

The course is designed to provide students with:

1. a good understanding of the foundations of Catholic preaching;
2. the opportunity to study official documents on Catholic preaching;
3. an understanding of how preaching fits within the symbolic discourse of Catholic sacramental and liturgical life;
4. an understanding of the relationship between preaching, worship, and Christian living.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, participants should be able to:

1. Read and analyze major Catholic documents on preaching.
2. Prepare homilies through prayerful reflection and critical exegetical and pastoral application.

 Assessment and Evaluation

Student’s grade will be based on the completion of:

Participation in Class Discussions online (40%)

Recorded homilies (6-8 depending on the number of participants)(60%)

Required Texts:

Students should obtain the following texts for the course (all are available at no cost online):

• USCCB, Fulfilled in Your Hearing: The Homily in the Sunday Assembly   (available at http://www.usccb.org/_cs_upload/8090_1.pdf)
• USCCB, Preaching the Mystery of Faith: The Sunday Homily (available at http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/priesthood/priestly-life-and-ministry/upload/usccb-preaching-document.pdf)
• Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (available at http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.pdf)

(OPTIONAL TEXT): Ryan, Sylvester and Deborah L. Wilhelm, Preaching Matters: A Praxis for Preachers (Chicago: Catholic Theological Union, 2015).  This is a very practical text you may want to obtain for your library.  It is OPTIONAL for this course, however.  Should you wish to obtain it, the text is available both in hard copy (through Amazon, for example) and e-book format.  For more information see http://www.pblpubs.org/index.php/pblpubs/catalog/book/5

Please Note:

All assignments are compulsory.

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus if necessary; any changes will be made in consultation with students and school administration.