An Affordable Way to Continue Your Education in Theology

Saint Joseph鈥檚 College of Maine offers affordable, online, non-credit continuing education units for those engaged in Catholic ministry. These courses provide occasional opportunities for ongoing professional development in a variety of ministries.

For more information, contact聽onlineadmissions@sjcme.edu.

Non-Credit Courses

Cost: $125

For over 30 years, the Church invites its youth from all over the globe to celebrate their Catholic heritage at World Youth Day. Implemented by Pope Saint John Paul II, this unique pilgrimage affords youth opportunities 鈥渢o examine their deepest aspirations, to heighten their sense of belonging to the Church, to proclaim their common faith in the crucified and risen Christ with increasing joy and courage鈥� (World Youth Day VIII Message). This Continuing Education Unit presents materials on the role of missionary discipleship, the essential nature of accompaniment, and the importance of collaboration as the means to prepare communities for this special celebration.

The American political climate is becoming more polarized. In the midst of this political tension, Catholics have a moral duty and baptismal responsibility to study the issues, pray, and vote based on conscience (c.f. Gaudium et spes, no. 75). The Church may not endorse specific candidates or political parties; it does, however, advise Catholics on core Catholic Social Teaching principles (e.g. human dignity, solidarity, care for common home) that may be addressed within specific local, state, and national issues.

This continuing education unit discusses Pope Francis鈥� call for Catholics to engage in missionary action to continue building the kingdom of God through an evangelizing presence and political engagement. Students will review the importance of the New Evangelization, understand how one鈥檚 call to be a missionary disciple affects one鈥檚 personal and public life, and develop a pastoral outreach media piece to help inform others on specific local, state, and national issues.

The Catechism for Catechists is an online non-credit course for students at any level that provides intellectual formation for catechists and can serve idealy as the doctrinal component for diocesan catechist certification programs. For those serving as parish catechists or teaching the Catholic faith in the Catholic school system, as well as those interested in general adult faith formation or RCIA, it enables students to develop an understanding and appreciation of the Catholic faith.

鈥淜eeping the doors of our churches open also means keeping them open in the digital environment so that people, whatever their situation in life, can enter, and so that the Gospel can go out to reach everyone鈥� (Pope Francis鈥� Message on XLVIII World Communications Day). Engagement in the 21st century requires knowledge about different media platforms and understanding how to leverage specific media to design ministry opportunities and build an online evangelization presence. Moving from maintenance to mission asks baptized Christians to collaborate with their communities in their outreach toward not only their religious community, but also the greater world.

鈥淐hristian marriage is a genuine call from God which demands careful discernment, constant prayer and adequate growth and development,鈥� notes the Synod of Bishops in Relatio Finalis (57). Marriage is the beginning of a journey, the journey of a couple together.
This course introduces participants to Church teachings exploring the role of marriage in modern society. Focus will be placed on how marriage is vocational and a place of evangelization. Participants will assess current parish programming for couples, engage in a sacred art application of 1 Corinthians 13, and produce an intergenerational evangelization audio-visual resource.

Within the parameters of the Catholic Faith, this course is to provide an introduction to philosophy, in particularly its relation to and central role in understanding theological concepts and terms. A historical survey will provide insight into the development of philosophical thought. The basics of Aristotelean/Thomistic logic will provide the groundwork for critical thinking and reasoned arguments. A concise presentation of the main branches of philosophy will be presented, followed with an understanding of the human person. Finally, as an application, various points of ethics will be covered along with selected issues that challenge the faith in the contemporary cultural.

From the beginning of Creation, God tasks humanity 鈥渢o cultivate and care for鈥� the Earth (Genesis 2:15). Humanity, therefore, receives the gift of stewardship. In this divinely appointed role, according to Pope Francis, 鈥渨e can see God reflected in all that exists, [and] our hearts are moved to praise the Lord for all his creatures鈥� (Laudato Si, 87). This stewardship role will be explored first through the missionary lens before investigating how it applies to the care for our common home. Participants will review the specific language of Laudato Si and discover a specific application to astronomy. Participants finally will design an Opus Laudis (Work of Praise) to discuss how they will put the teachings of Laudato Si into practice.

Encouraged by Pope Francis鈥� invitation 鈥渢o be bold and creative in this task of rethinking the goals, structures, styles and methods of evangelization鈥�, faith communities are embracing new, innovative ministry programs while revising current programming (Evangelii Gaudium, 33). This renewal of missionary vigor often leads to increased workloads, and self-care is usually the first personal item sacrificed. This Continuing Education Unit therefore begins with understanding the role of Lay Ecclesial Ministry and its challenges before delving into an exploration of the essential need for self-care. The main goal will be to develop proactive strategies to prevent burnout in a Personal Self-Care Plan.

Waves of migrants and of refugees pose new challenges to faith-based communities. Keeping the greatest commandment, the Golden Rule, at the heart of ministry work may mean shifting and enhancing existing resources (Matthew 7:12). What if one鈥檚 neighbor does not speak the native language? Or, what if one鈥檚 neighbor has a culturally different approach to faith? Should these questions hinder any encounters? No. In fact, evangelization and education become more essential.

This Continuing Education Unit explores the importance of an evangelizing presence. Participants will investigate the importance of collaboration and the current cultural challenges specific to the Hispanic and Latino communities. At the conclusion of the unit, participants will reflect on their current ministry work using the See, Judge, Act Method (Mater et Magistra, No. 236).

Participants will understand the importance of participating in sacred liturgy and connect this participation to their missionary mandate to 鈥済o in peace to love and serve the Lord and one another鈥� (Concluding Rites, USCCB). This course is designed in two units. This first unit centers on the Mass and specific faith community needs; the second showcases the New Evangelization and Pope Francis鈥� evangelization methods 鈥渢o repropose the call to holiness in a practical way for our time鈥� (Gaudete et Exsultate, No. 2). A final audio assessment will be an opportunity for participants to address a specific ministry and reflect on its missionary outreach鈥攊ts capacity to be a joyful witness.

In an interview with America Magazine, Pope Francis commented, 鈥淟et us try also to be a church that finds new roads, that is able to step outside itself鈥� (鈥淎 Big Heart Open to God: An Interview with Pope Francis鈥�). This invitation to 鈥渇ind new roads鈥� and encounter others along our faith journey is one of the marks of this papacy. Pope Francis, therefore, encourages the baptized to renew their missionary calling and discover new ways to proclaim the Good News.
Participants in this course will explore the characteristics of Pope Francis and will learn more about this missionary message within his writings. To conclude this CEU, participants will design a three minute video featuring selections from His Holiness鈥� writings that are pertinent to their ministry.

鈥淪uffering, which has many levels and dimensions, can often be the most challenging aspect of the life of a disciple of Christ,鈥� according to Christian author Aurelie A. Hagstrom. Then, why does God allow for suffering? What are some contemporary issues that cause suffering? How might faith communities encounter and accompany those in the midst of suffering? This Continuing Education Unit explores these questions and provides participants with practical, pastoral strategies to enhance ministerial outreach.

鈥淭here are 3 million African American Catholics in the United States,鈥� according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops鈥� African American Demographics. How are Catholic faith communities educating themselves about the rich history of Black Catholicism in the United States? Are communities engaging in discussions about the social challenges facing this specific faith group? What are some ideas for improving ministry efforts to educate others about the Black Catholic community鈥檚 contributions? These questions are just a few that this Continuing Education Unit explores.

Participants will reflect on their own evangelization encounters, discuss the impact of social sins on this specific community, and consider ways in which they may enhance or change current ministry efforts.

For Religious Educators

Catechism for Catholic Church content on a laptop screenTH 15 The Catechism for Catechists

The Catechism for Catechists is an online non-credit course for students at any level that provides intellectual formation for catechists and can serve idealy as the doctrinal component for diocesan catechist certification programs. For those serving as parish catechists or teaching the Catholic faith in the Catholic school system, as well as those interested in general adult faith formation or RCIA, it enables students to develop an understanding and appreciation of the Catholic faith.

Cost: $125

In partnership with the

Saint Joseph鈥檚 College of Maine has partnered with the聽聽to develop programs for the New Evangelization, assist pastoral leaders in deepening collaboration with one another, and provide formation and apostolic opportunities. To this end, we are excited to offer a series of continuing education units (CEU) for those in Catholic ministry.

In the spirit of Catherine McAuley and St. Vincent Pallotti, our Continuing Education Units offer practical, ministerial enrichment designed to enhance students鈥� professional work in ministry. Each course fosters a spirit of connectedness and nurtures spiritual growth through personalized instruction/consultation from an experienced instructor. These asynchronous courses facilitate learning through videos, discussion boards, and learning assessments which are practical and usable in the workplace. Students are accompanied by an instructor who will guide them through the material, participate in discussions, and offer feedback on assessments.

Recognizing that there are many choices in online programming for Lay Ecclesial Ministers and the Catholic adult learner, Saint Joseph鈥檚 College of Maine values students鈥� personal and professional demands by providing cost effective, self-paced 3-month courses. These CEUs are designed to be formative during optimal times of the academic year. Why? Because we believe in accompanying Catholics in their professional development with the intent on helping them enhance their ministry and 鈥渞evive faith and rekindle charity.鈥� This personalized, pastoral approach distinguishes these opportunities for professional development from others.

The American political climate is becoming more polarized. In the midst of this political tension, Catholics have a moral duty and baptismal responsibility to study the issues, pray, and vote based on conscience (c.f. Gaudium et spes, no. 75). The Church may not endorse specific candidates or political parties; it does, however, advise Catholics on core Catholic Social Teaching principles (e.g. human dignity, solidarity, care for common home) that may be addressed within specific local, state, and national issues.

This continuing education unit discusses Pope Francis鈥� call for Catholics to engage in missionary action to continue building the kingdom of God through an evangelizing presence and political engagement. Students will review the importance of the New Evangelization, understand how one鈥檚 call to be a missionary disciple affects one鈥檚 personal and public life, and develop a pastoral outreach media piece to help inform others on specific local, state, and national issues.

Encouraged by Pope Francis鈥� invitation 鈥渢o be bold and creative in this task of rethinking the goals, structures, styles and methods of evangelization鈥�, faith communities are embracing new, innovative ministry programs while revising current programming (Evangelii Gaudium, 33). This renewal of missionary vigor often leads to increased workloads, and self-care is usually the first personal item sacrificed. This Continuing Education Unit therefore begins with understanding the role of Lay Ecclesial Ministry and its challenges before delving into an exploration of the essential need for self-care. The main goal will be to develop proactive strategies to prevent burnout in a Personal Self-Care Plan.

Waves of migrants and of refugees pose new challenges to faith-based communities. Keeping the greatest commandment, the Golden Rule, at the heart of ministry work may mean shifting and enhancing existing resources (Matthew 7:12). What if one鈥檚 neighbor does not speak the native language? Or, what if one鈥檚 neighbor has a culturally different approach to faith? Should these questions hinder any encounters? No. In fact, evangelization and education become more essential.

This Continuing Education Unit explores the importance of an evangelizing presence. Participants will investigate the importance of collaboration and the current cultural challenges specific to the Hispanic and Latino communities. At the conclusion of the unit, participants will reflect on their current ministry work using the See, Judge, Act Method (Mater et Magistra, No. 236).

鈥淪uffering, which has many levels and dimensions, can often be the most challenging aspect of the life of a disciple of Christ,鈥� according to Christian author Aurelie A. Hagstrom. Then, why does God allow for suffering? What are some contemporary issues that cause suffering? How might faith communities encounter and accompany those in the midst of suffering? This Continuing Education Unit explores these questions and provides participants with practical, pastoral strategies to enhance ministerial outreach.

鈥淭here are 3 million African American Catholics in the United States,鈥� according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops鈥� African American Demographics. How are Catholic faith communities educating themselves about the rich history of Black Catholicism in the United States? Are communities engaging in discussions about the social challenges facing this specific faith group? What are some ideas for improving ministry efforts to educate others about the Black Catholic community鈥檚 contributions? These questions are just a few that this Continuing Education Unit explores.

Participants will reflect on their own evangelization encounters, discuss the impact of social sins on this specific community, and consider ways in which they may enhance or change current ministry efforts.

Focus EduSolutions Certificates

Saint Joseph's and Focus EduSolutions offer online micro-credentials.

A micro-credential is a professional learning pathway where you'll gain skill sets in a specific technical area and receive a credential within a matter of weeks. They are affordable, flexible, and industry based allowing you to complete a course at your own pace while assuring you are gaining industry knowledge and skills. They are taught by subject matter experts.

Earn a micro-credential in

This credential presents the foundations of Catholic theology and educational pedagogy to facilitate catechesis at all levels.

This credential is designed to prepare students with mastery knowledge in the growth and development of the young child within a catholic education framework.

This credential is designed for educators in Catholic Schools who want to learn more about how to support students with a variety of learning disabilities.

This credential is designed for Catholic School Leaders who want to learn more about how to support faculty who teach students with a variety of learning disabilities.

Ready to Register?

Questions?

Email onlineadmissions@sjcme.edu.