Notre Dame Seminary

2010 - 2012

      Three years later a building was erected next to St. Stephen’s and served as a seminary staffed by Lazarists until 1867 when it was suppressed due to the financial distress of the diocese following the Civil War. Despite the shortage of funds, another effort was made little more than a decade later to establish a diocesan seminary. At the end of his life, and just before he sailed to Rome for the First Vatican Council, Archbishop Jean Odin, C.M., had plans drawn up for a building to be constructed next to the Old Ursuline Convent (then his residence) on the site of the former Ursuline chapel which had been known as St. Mary of Consolation. This building was functioning by the end of 1870, at which time Napoleon Joseph Perche was the new Archbishop. Although by 1873 this seminary, which was much later remodeled to become St. Mary’s Italian School, had forty students and was staffed by priests of the archdiocese, it too succumbed to financial pressure and was closed in 1881. Nearly another twenty years passed before it was decided to reopen the seminary that had been built in the Faubourg Bouligny district next to St. Stephen’s Church; however, Archbishop James H. Blenk, S.M., rescinded that decision after only seven years.

      Two years after his arrival as Blenk’s successor, Archbishop John W. Shaw (1918-1934) called a meeting of laymen at his Esplanade Avenue residence for the purpose of discussing with them the ways and means of erecting a substantial building on a site acquired in 1910 through the efforts of Father Francis Prim, a pastor of Mater Dolorosa Church in the Carrollton section of New Orleans.

      An outcome of the August 20, 1920, meeting was the launching of a capital campaign. By the following January the campaign netted close to $1 million from some 50,000 subscribers. Encouraged by this broad-based display of interest and generosity towards a permanent major seminary, the Archbishop commissioned the architect, General Allison Owen, to draw plans for Notre Dame Seminary.

      The corner stone was laid for the handsome chateau-like building on May 7, 1922. The seminary began functioning on September 18, 1923, with 25 students from the three Louisiana dioceses registering for philosophical and theological courses. In 1925, the present Archbishop’s residence was built next to the seminary.

      From the beginning of the seminary until 1967, the Marist Fathers of the Washington Province were in charge. The first rector was Father Charles Dubray, S.M. The number of students remained small through the formative years, not exceeding 60 until September 1932.

      In the early 1950’s, as enrollment proved too large for the 90 students’ rooms, Archbishop Joseph Francis Rummel (1935-1964) dedicated funds raised to memorialize his 25th anniversary of Episcopal consecration and his 50th in the priesthood for the erection of St. Joseph Hall. The architect for this building, which was also close to $1 million, was Jack J. H. Kessels.

      St. Joseph Hall has some student and faculty rooms, houses the seminary library with a capacity of 200,000 volumes, and has an auditorium attached. Previously, Archbishop Rummel had provided a permanent brick residence on the campus for the Sisters of the Holy Family, which is now occupied by the Order of Discalced Carmelites and is now known as the John of the Cross House of Studies.

       During his relatively short tenure as apostolic administrator and archbishop, the Most Reverend John P. Cody (1962-1965) laid the groundwork for the emergence of Notre Dame Seminary into a provincial seminary exclusively for theological students. Prior to the establishment in 1964 of the St. John Vianney Preparatory School, also located in the Carrollton section, diocesan seminarians normally spent six years at St. Joseph Preparatory Seminary (established by the Benedictines at Gessen, Louisiana in 1891) and then six more years at Notre Dame Seminary.

      St. Joseph Seminary College (at St. Benedict, Louisiana since 1902) became a four-year college seminary in 1968, serving principally the province of New Orleans. It serves as the local feeder institution for Notre Dame.

      In addition to the Marist Fathers, diocesan priests and others of specialized competence have been professors and lecturers at Notre Dame Seminary since the arrival of Archbishop Philip M. Hannan in 1965.

      In 1984 a special evaluation team created by the Vatican for the purpose of studying and advising American seminaries visited Notre Dame Seminary. In 1993, Notre Dame Seminary completed its 70th year of service to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and to the Gulf South Region. In 1995 a self-study was conducted and was followed by visits from the accrediting agencies.

      In 1997, the first history of Notre Dame Seminary was published and entitled, The History of Notre Dame Seminary. It was written by Reverend Mark Raphael who was a student at the time. This history was produced for the 75th anniversary of the seminary’s opening, a jubilee celebrated throughout the academic year of 1998-1999 with an Open House in September, a special Eucharistic Celebration in October, and a special Alumni Day celebration in February 1999.

      As a graduate school and a seminary, Notre Dame Seminary continues to be a center of theological studies and of formation for the priesthood and to many outside of the seminary community.

Location

      Notre Dame Seminary is located in the Carrollton section in the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans, "the Crescent City," is a center of commerce and industry in the South with an exciting and fascinating past that can be relived daily in its enchanting French Quarter. New Orleans offers numerous opportunities for entertainment, cultural activities, exhibits and fine dining.

      New Orleans is a world-renowned center of festivities. Mardi Gras, the high point of the entertainment year, culminates weeks of lavish balls and pageantry with elaborate parades throughout the city. In the spring, Jazzfest features local, national, and international musical entertainment, arts and crafts, and delicious food. New Orleans is home to a professional football, professional basketball and a minor league baseball teams. The city is also the home of the Sugar Bowl football classic and operas by the New Orleans Opera House Association. Other musical events include various pop concerts and, of course, good old "New Orleans Jazz."

Library

      The Robert J. Stahl M. Memorial Library, which houses more than 95,000 volumes, including 12,000 bound periodicals, is located in St. Joseph’s Hall. The library consists of two floors of stacks shelving; a dedicated reference room which also houses the bound periodicals collection; a writing lab; and an internet research center. A quiet study area with seating for 34 persons is scheduled to open in early 2009.

      The book and periodical collection reflects the purpose and objectives of the seminary. The library subscribes to approximately 165 periodicals titles.

      For research work or other specialized projects, students of Notre Dame can borrow books from other libraries through the LALINC (Louisiana Academic Library Information Network Consortium) program and through inter-library loan. The bibliographic holdings of the library are fully accessible through the online catalog.

1. An appointment with a library staff member must be made by calling (504) 866-7426, ext 3700.
2. Books are loaned for three weeks and may be renewed once.
3. A barcode for the LALINC card must be issued by the library office.

Accreditation

      Notre Dame Seminary was incorporated in 1948 by the State of Louisiana as a non-profit educational institution with the power to confer degrees. It operates under a charter drawn up in 1970, revised in 1975, and again in 1995. The seminary is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) to award the degrees of Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Master of Arts in Theological Studies (M.A.). Contact SACS at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call (404) 679-4500; and ATS at 10 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1103 or call (412) 788-6505.

      Notre Dame Seminary is owned by the Archdiocese of New Orleans. It is operated by a Board of Trustees including ex-officio the Archbishop of New Orleans as President, a Vicar General of the Archdiocese, the President-Rector of the Seminary, and other appointed members for an aggregate of 15 trustees.

      The seminary has been approved by the Louisiana Board of Regents and the Louisiana State Department of Education. It is in partnership with Loyola University of New Orleans, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, St. Joseph Seminary College and Xavier University of New Orleans.

      Notre Dame Seminary is also a member of the American Catholic Philosophical Association, the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers, the Association of Theological Field Education, the Catholic Association of Teachers of Homiletics, the Catholic Theology Society of America, the College Theology Society, the Federation of Seminary Spiritual Directors, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the National Catholic Education Association, the Midwest Association of Theological Schools, the Society of Christian Ethics and the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers.

Respect for Equality

      Notre Dame Seminary adheres to the principle of equal educational and employment opportunities without regards to race, sex, color, creed, age or national origin. This policy extends to all programs and activities supported by the seminary. In addition, Notre Dame Seminary conscientiously seeks to comply with all applicable legislation concerning nondiscrimination in employment practices and in development of personnel, concerning the protection of faculty and student rights of privacy and access of information concerning accommodations for the handicapped.

      Bearing in mind that language reflects, reinforces and creates social reality, the seminary expects class conversation and written work to employ language that respects the equal dignity and worth of all human beings. Notre Dame Seminary believes in the equality of all people and respects the dignity of people from all races, cultures, religions and ideological preferences.

      Notre Dame Seminary, its property and building belong to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and are subject to its Corporation and to the Board of Directors for ownership, capital improvements and disposition of title. The Corporation of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, with the Archbishop of New Orleans as President, exercises fiscal and titular responsibility over Notre Dame Seminary, which was incorporated in1948 by the State of Louisiana and by an act of the state legislature (Act136, House Bill 832) authorized to grant degrees.

      In January 1970 a charter was granted to Notre Dame Seminary by the State of Louisiana for operation of the institution by a Board of Trustees, including ex-officio the Archbishop of New Orleans as President, a Vicar General of the archdiocese, the President-Rector of Notre Dame, and other appointed members for an aggregate of 15 trustees. The Board of Trustees is to establish, conduct and maintain a seminary, college and/or university, to further advance the cause of education, to promote and disseminate the study and knowledge of philosophy and theology.

      In 1975the charter was amended so as to officially designate the Archbishop of New Orleans as chancellor of the seminary. It was revised again in 1995designating the same archbishop as ex-officio chair person of the Board of Trustees, and emphasizing the requirements of Canon Law and the NCCB "Program of Priestly Formation" in the operation of the seminary.

      The Board of Trustees shall consist of no less than five but no more than twenty-five members. By custom and practice, the bishops of the province are permanent members of the board. Other members are appointed by the membership of the corporation of Notre Dame Seminary. The officers of the board are three: chairperson, secretary and treasurer.

      The members of the corporation are the archbishop or administrator of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and such other persons as may be designated by the chancellor (archbishop) at the time. The officers are three: president, vice-president and secretary-treasurer.

The Board functions as committee of the whole in the exercise of the following responsibilities:

1. To choose the President-Rector who is directly responsible for the administration of the seminary.

2. To approve the incurring of extraordinary indebtedness.

3. To approve tuition, fees and all significant changes in seminary programs.

4. To approve candidates for the annual graduation.

5. To examine and approve the seminary budget.

6. To approve the President-Rector’s term of office.

The Faculty council has ultimate responsibility for:

• Curriculum and graduate programs.
• Faculty recruitment and advancement.
• Faculty welfare and domestic concerns of the full-time faculty.
• Election of faculty members to certain internal committees (as provided in their charters).
• The formation program.
• The continuation of seminarians in the program.
• The recommendation of students for Holy Orders.
• The disciplining of individual students.
• Matters of confidentiality.

      In addition, the Faculty Council, along with other faculty members, might meet for workshops, be asked to give advice as requested by the President-Rector or other officers.

      The Faculty Council is the highest policy-making body in the seminary. It also functions as an open forum of communication between the various parts of the seminary community. All full-time members of the faculty and seminary administration are members of the Faculty Council. Other professors and administrators (part-time and/or non-resident) may be accorded membership by the Faculty Council on a year-to-year basis or for as long as the person’s responsibilities at the seminary are not reduced. The President-Rector serves as chairperson of the Faculty Council.

      The Standing Committees of the Faculty Council are comprised of faculty and students and meet at various times during each semester. These committees provide the opportunity for dialogue about different aspects of the formation program among representatives of students and faculty. Proposals from the committees which have an impact on the formation program must be forwarded to the Faculty Council for approval. Other proposals which do not alter the formation program as a whole do not need to be presented to the Faculty Council. These proposals are subject to review by the Executive Council of the seminary administration which is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the seminary program. Each Standing Committee must submit a written report to the Faculty Council each semester. The President-Rector will meet monthly with the President of the Student Association. The President-Rector will report to the Faculty Council on the actions and concerns of the Student Association.

The Faculty Council has the following standing committees:

1.1 The Faith-Life Committee: Membership on this committee consists of the Director of Spiritual Formation as ex-officio chairperson, the Director of Liturgy, the Spiritual Director, one elected faculty member and one student member from each of the classes. This committee brings to the Faculty Council recommendations and motions regarding all aspects of the faith-life program of the seminary.

1.2 The Academic Affairs Committee: Membership on this committee consists of the Academic Dean as chairperson, the Director of the M.A. Program, two faculty members elected by their peers and one student from each of the classes and one off-campus student representative. This committee brings to the Faculty Council recommendations and motions regarding all aspects of the academic program of the seminary.

1.3. The Pastoral Field Education Committee: Membership on this committee consists of the Director of Pastoral Formation and Field Education as chairperson, the Co-Director or Associate of Field Education and one other full-time faculty member elected by peer vote and one student member from each of the classes. This committee brings to the Faculty Council reports and motions on the plans and activities of the field education program.

1.4. The Library Committee: Membership on this committee consists of the librarian as chairperson, one faculty member elected by peer vote, and one elected student representative. This committee brings to the Faculty Council reports and motions on the library services, dealings with consortium libraries, notice of notable acquisitions and notable losses in the number of books from the collection, and also any plans for renovations or expansion.

1.5. The Finance and Maintenance Committee: Membership on this committee consists of the director of finance as chairperson, the President-Rector, one member of the full-time faculty elected by peer vote, the secretary-treasurer of the Student Association, and one other student representative chosen by his peers on the basis of his expertise in business management. This committee meets to review the budget and to discuss all matters pertaining to the maintenance of the seminary, the costs involved and the measures which need to be taken and brings to the Faculty Council reports and motions on these matters.

II. Other Administrative Structures

2.1. Executive Council: The Executive Council, charged with day-to-day administration and general planning of the seminary, consists of the President-Rector (chairperson), the Academic Dean, the Director of Pastoral Formation and Field Education, the Director of Finance, the Director of Spiritual Formation and, at the Rector’s discretion, other administrative officials who may be co-opted for consultation on specific matters.

2.2 Admissions Board: Membership on this board consists of the President-Rector (chairperson), the Academic Dean and other faculty as needed. This committee, meeting especially during the summer months, oversees the admission of all candidates, seminarians and off-campus students to Notre Dame Seminary.

2.3. Formation Committee: This committee, consisting of the President-Rector (chairperson), the Academic Dean, the Director of Pastoral Formation and Field Education, the Director of Human Formation and other faculty members designated by the rector, meets throughout the semester to share feedback with seminarians. The committee may also suggest policies and practices regarding spiritual formation for consideration by the Faculty Council.

2.4. Contract Review Committee: Membership on this committee consists of the President-Rector (chairperson), the Academic Dean and one elected faculty member. It deliberates and votes in connection with hiring new full-time faculty, and renewing or terminating contracts—subject always to the approval of the Chancellor and Board of Trustees.

2.5 Institutional Effectiveness Committee: The primary vehicle for assessing the seminary’s effectiveness and for implementing those changes that will improve the overall operation of the institution is the Institutional Effectiveness Committee. This committee is chaired by the Director of Institutional Effectiveness (at NDS, this is the same person as the Registrar unless otherwise specified) and is comprised of representatives from the faculty and administrative staff.

A. The GOALS of the committee are as follows:

C. Assessment Resources

The Institutional Effectiveness Committee utilizes several different tools or instruments in order to assess the effectiveness of NDS with regard to the accomplishment of its mission. A list of those tools follows:

D. Assessment and Planning

The Institutional Effectiveness Committee meets on a regular basis (twice a semester) to analyze and assess any and all data that was collected prior to a given meeting. At the end of each semester the Director of Institutional Effectiveness presents a report to the Faculty Council with regard to the data it has collected and presents recommendations with regard to any enhancements or improvements that need to be effected. A report is also forwarded to the Board of Trustees so that the findings and recommendations of the Institutional Effectiveness Committee can be utilized in shaping the budget for the seminary.

III. Administrative Officers and Other Directors

President-Rector

      The President-Rector is chief executive of Notre Dame Seminary. It is his responsibility to ensure that faculty, students, seminarians and staff work harmoniously toward the implementation of the stated goals and responsibly carry out the programs of the institution. He is accountable directly to the chancellor and through him to the Board of Trustees. Moreover, because of his canonical appointment as rector, he is specifically responsible for implementing the NCCB’s Program of Priestly Formation at Notre Dame Seminary in accordance with the norms of Canon Law and the Second Vatican Council, and is charged with coordinating the work of all personnel involved in priestly formation.

As chief executive officer, his duties are:

1. To assume overall responsibility under the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees for overseeing the administration of Notre Dame Seminary. In day-to-day administration, the President-Rector is assisted by an Executive Council.
2. To submit to the Board of Trustees, twice a year, a report on the condition of Notre Dame Seminary and to offer proposals from the Faculty Council concerning the welfare of the institution.
3. In concert with faculty and student community, to participate in the formation of major decisions regarding general policies and to convoke and chair the Faculty Council in pursuit and review of the same.
4. To represent Notre Dame Seminary, its philosophy and policies, to the Board of Trustees, the bishops of the province, diocesan and religious authorities and personnel, the alumni, education agencies and the general public.
5. To promote the search for qualified faculty and staff and to foster the programs developed by the faculty and other personnel.
6. To assume responsibility in accordance with the norms approved by the Board of Trustees for presenting proposals to the chancellor for the hiring and termination of faculty and other personnel.
7. To foster collaboration with the New Orleans Consortium, our Lady of Holy Cross College and St. Joseph Seminary College.
8. In collaboration with the Director of Special Projects and Development, to search out and pursue feasible sources for the endowment of Notre Dame Seminary and to encourage recruitment programs.
9. To deal directly with the seminary’s accrediting agencies and with both state and federal bureaus in matters relating to the seminary.

As Canonical Rector, it is also his duty:

1. To oversee the admission of candidates to Notre Dame Seminary. In carrying out this duty, he is assisted by the Admissions Board.
2. To serve as chief executive officer on matters concerning priestly formation and to be directly responsible to the ecclesiastical authorities concerned.
3. To review all formation and evaluation procedures and the progress of candidates for priesthood.
4. To call and preside at meetings of the Formation Committee and to coordinate the spiritual-academic-pastoral programs for the seminarians.
5. To interpret and articulate to all those concerned the norms of the Holy See, the NCCB, the Board of Trustees, and the proper ordinaries concerning priestly formation.
6. To arrange evaluation of candidates for Ministries and Orders and to inform the appropriate persons of time, place and procedure.
7. To retain the personal files of the seminarians.
8. To secure and present to the appropriate ordinaries and religious superiors the results of the Faculty Council’s evaluation of students for the priesthood and its final vote on candidates petitioning for advancement to Ministries and Orders.

The President-Rector’s contract is as follows:

1. The President-Rector is initially hired by the Chancellor, with the approval of the Board of Trustees, for a period of three years.
2. After evaluation by the Board and faculty consultation, his term may be extended for another five years.
3. After similar evaluation and consultation, it may be extended a further two years.
4. Subsequently, his appointment must be reviewed every two years by the Chancellor, Faculty and Board of Trustees.

The Academic Dean

      The Academic Dean is responsible for all matters of curriculum, advancement and conferral of degrees. He is charged with implementing the entire instructional program and the development of plans for the improvement of the School of Theology.

His duties are:

1. To supervise the entire program in all instructional areas.
2. To serve on the Admissions Board with particular reference to admissions to the School of Theology.
3. To serve as chief advisor to the President-Rector in academic matters, to advise the President-Rector on the appointment of faculty members.
4. To serve as chairperson of the Academic Affairs Committee.
5. To report to the Faculty Council on the condition and needs of the seminary in academic matters.
6. To render the necessary academic reports to such accrediting agencies as are entitled to receive them.
7. To present candidates for degrees at commencement, and make recommendations for honorary degrees.
8. To represent Notre Dame at meetings of educational associations.
9. To maintain appropriate memberships for Notre Dame Seminary in educational and professional organizations.
10. To prepare and edit for publication the catalog and other academic bulletins.
11. To oversee establishment and operation of any additional academic department or programs.  
12. To represent the interests of Notre Dame Seminary in collaboration with the religion and theology faculties of the New Orleans Consortium and of other colleges and universities.
13. To maintain special collaboration with archdiocesan agencies devoted to education, ministry and the needs of ethnic groups.
14. To serve as a member of the Formation Committee and to report to this committee on the academic performance of the students being evaluated.
15. To chair and convoke the Academic Integrity Committee when academic irregularities are reported. 16. To serve as a member of the Institutional Effectiveness Committee.

The Director of Spiritual Formation

      The Director of Spiritual Formation is responsible for coordinating the spiritual formation program of Notre Dame Seminary. He is directly responsible to the President-Rector and the Faculty Council for implementing policies and for directing all the activities of the spiritual formation program.

His duties are:

1. To oversee the spiritual life of the community and to work closely with the Director of Liturgy and the Spiritual Director in preparing community liturgies and prayer programs.
2. To be available to the students for spiritual direction.
3. To assist in coordinating monthly conferences for the individual classes, as needed.
4. To coordinate retreats and days of recollection.
5. To assist in preparation of Ministries and Candidacy, as needed.
6. To serve ex-officio as chairperson of the Faith-Life Committee.
7. To assist with the counseling program and student welfare, as needed.
8. To serve as a member of the Formation Committee, attending its meetings, and taking part in student evaluations, unless the Director of Spiritual Formation also serves as the Spiritual Director, in which case he does not participate in student evaluations.

The Spiritual Director

      The Spiritual Director serves in the internal forum. His primary responsibility is the provision of spiritual direction to individual seminarians. His concern is for the overall quality of the spiritual direction program of the seminary. Hence, he is responsible for providing in-service programs for the resident and adjunct spiritual directors of the seminary.

His duties are the following:

1. To help foster sound habits of personal prayer in all of the seminarians.
2. To see that each seminarian has a personal spiritual director whom he sees at the prescribed intervals.
3. To devote the greater part of his time to the direction of individual seminarians.
4. To provide opportunities for the seminarians to experience different forms of prayer.
5. To select adjunct spiritual directors with the approval of the President-Rector and the Archbishop, and to provide in-service programs for them.
6. To chair meetings of the seminary spiritual directors and to coordinate their efforts and goals in general so that they are in harmony with the published policies of the seminary.
7. To be an ex-officio member of the Faith-Life Committee of the seminary.

1. To serve as advisor to the President-Rector and Academic Dean on matters pertaining to the practical guidance of seminarians in the areas of field education.
2. To collaborate with the Academic Dean in initiating and coordinating programs in academic pastoral education.
3. To serve as a member of the Formation Committee and to report on the performance of all students engaged in field education through the Formation Committee. To attend student evaluations and prepare a written report for all seminarians engaged in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and 4th Year Parish Internship. Reports for all other seminarians engaged in Pastoral Field Education (PFE) will be written by the Associate Director of Pastoral Formation and Field Education; they are usually delivered/facilitated at the seminarian’s yearly evaluation by the Director of Pastoral Formation and Field Education.
4. In consultation with the Academic Dean, prepare and distribute reports on the pastoral program and its effectiveness to the faculty and Formation Committee.
5. To establish and maintain contact with pastors, educators, ministerial and civic leaders who are able and willing to provide effective leadership and supervision for seminarians engaged in field education, and to conduct in-service training for supervisors.
6. To assist the rector as official liaison between Notre Dame Seminary and archdiocesan and diocesan officials in matters pertaining to the seminarian participation in the field education programs conducted in the archdiocese and cooperating dioceses.
7. To provide frequent opportunities for individual, group and community dialogue and evaluation in order that the students may express their estimates of the progress of their work, the experience gained and the difficulties encountered therein.
8. In collaboration with the Academic Dean, to elicit the assistance of qualified personnel within and without the Notre Dame Seminary community, for additional conferences on pastoral matters and sufficient theological reflection with student involvement in field education.
9. To serve as chair of the Pastoral Field Education Committee.
10. To serve on the Executive Council.
11. To collaborate with and supervise the Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education and the secretary of the Pastoral Formation and Field Education department. This would include helping the Associate Director with the assigned Pastoral Field Education programs and with the individual or group debriefing and theological reflection sessions after these programs.
12. To coordinate, lead and participate in the Acompaño Mission Program.
13. To make on-site visits to the seminarians and their supervisors engaged in CPE and the 4th Year Parish Internship.
14. To conduct "debriefing" interviews and theological reflection sessions for all seminarians engaged in CPE and the 4th Year Parish Internship. This would include helping to organize and facilitate possible "post-CPE and post-Internship" retreats.
15. To facilitate the Pastoral Theology section of the 4th Year Synthesis Seminar.
16. To maintain active membership in the Catholic Association of Theological Field Education (CATFE) and the Association of Theological Field Educators (ATFE).

The Co-Director or Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education

      The Co-Director or Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education, a member of the Faculty Council, collaborates with and is accountable to the Director of Pastoral Formation and Field Education in the pastoral formation of seminarians.

The Co-Director or Associate Director has these specific responsibilities:

1. To coordinate supervised pastoral opportunities for seminarians in Pre-Theology (FE 001/FE 002), to locate appropriate programs and on-site supervisors, and to assign seminarians to these programs and evaluating their ministry.
2. To coordinate Supervised Parish Ministry I (in the summer); to communicate with vocation directors regarding placements and with supervisors reviewing the requirements with participating seminarians; to evaluate seminarians’ ministry through interviews and written reports.
3. To coordinate the Pastoral Exposure Program (PEP) for seminarians in First Theology. This includes an orientation to PEP, Phase I (in the fall), on-site visits and theological reflection; Phase II (in the spring), Family Life Apostolate panel; Phase III (in the spring), Toomey Center Preparation on contemporary social issues and the response of the local church.
4. To coordinate Supervised Parish Ministry II (in the summer) by communicating with vocation directors regarding placements; to communicate with supervisors regarding the program and seminarian performance; to conduct an orientation to SPM II during the spring semester and evaluating seminarians’ ministry through interviews and a written report.
5. To coordinate the Supervised Ministry of Religious Education (FE 201/FE 202) by arranging placement in parishes or school programs, communicating with and assisting on-site supervisors (usually Directors of Religious Education), visiting seminarians on-site and assisting them in their teaching responsibilities, when necessary, and providing for the evaluation of their progress.
6. To collaborate with the Director of Pastoral Field Education in coordinating the Acompaño Mission Program. This would include assisting the student leadership team, assisting with the orientations to the program, being present during the program in Granada, Nicaragua, facilitating the theological reflection during the program, and assisting with the post-Acompaño evaluation.
7.  To coordinate the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program. This includes assisting with CPE Day and the orientation to the program, making on-site visits during the summer to the students in various programs, communicating with the Director and the faculty regarding the seminarian’s progress in the CPE program, assisting the seminarian in integrating his areas of growth and assisting with the post-CPE retreat. 
8. To assist in the pastoral orientation given to new student at the beginning of the new school year.
9. To participate in formal student evaluations when requested by the Rector or the Director.
10. To serve as a member ex-officio of the Pastoral Field Education Committee and to participate in the activities of the Committee; i.e., "Day of Caring."
11. To communicate with the secretary assigned to the Pastoral Field Education Office regarding programs, seminarian records, mailings and other procedural details.
12. To communicate with the Director of Pastoral Formation and Field Education through regularly scheduled meetings or other means of communication regarding any area of pastoral formation. 13. To be a member of the Catholic Association of Theological Field Educators (CATFE), the Association of Theological Educators (ATFE) and to participate in the annual conferences.

The Registrar

      The Registrar, as the officer chiefly responsible for the academic reports of the School of Theology, provides the students and administration, as well as other institutions and appropriate persons, with analysis and interpretations of the academic program.

The duties of the registrar are as follows:

FACULTY POLICIES

      Per-course faculty members are those who serve the seminary in a part-time capacity as lecturer, instructor, or adjunct professor. Like all faculty members, the per-course faculty members are expected to pursue excellence in their teaching and whatever duties their contracts outline. Per-course faculty members enjoy library lending privileges and are invited to participate in faculty seminars and symposia. Per-course

faculty members are encouraged to participate in student evaluations through the submission of written comments addressed to the President-Rector for those students in their courses who are being evaluated.

Special-Appointment Faculty

      Special-appointment faculty members are invited to Notre Dame Seminary to fill a specific teaching duty, either as a visiting scholar or to fill an honorary chair in theology. Such appointments might be full-time or part-time depending on the seminary’s need and the availability of the invited scholar. Special-appointment faculty members enjoy library lending privileges and are invited to participate in faculty seminars and symposia.

Faculty Recruitment

Recruitment of Full-time Faculty

      The following procedure is used in recruiting full-time faculty:

1. Advertisements are placed in appropriate journals for needed faculty. The best candidates are then invited to the seminary to address the resident faculty on a topic appropriate to their field of competence, interview administration officials and as many faculty as possible, and have the opportunity to present a lecture to students.
2. The administration contacts a qualified and available scholar. Usually this contact is preceded by a consultation with the faculty to ensure the quality and suitability of the recruit.
3. Notre Dame Seminary graduates from the archdiocese of New Orleans or other dioceses could be recommended for higher studies or special training with a view to joining the faculty after the completion of an advanced degree. This recommendation would come from the administration and faculty of NDS and would require the approval of the chancellor as well as the approval of the candidate’s bishop or superior.

Recruitment of Per-course Faculty

      The process of recruiting per-course faculty members is more informal, being generally executed by the Academic Dean with the approval of the President-Rector. The Director of Pastoral Formation and Field Education can also recruit for those courses within the purview of his department but must get the approval of the Academic Dean and the President-Rector. Frequently, there is faculty input by way of recommendation and approval although this is not required. Notre Dame Seminary is committed to seeking the best available part-time and adjunct faculty in order to maintain an atmosphere of academic excellence.

Hiring of Faculty Members

Hiring of Full-time Faculty

      The President-Rector of Notre Dame Seminary has the final responsibility of the appointment of faculty. Before a candidate for a full-time faculty position is invited to join the seminary, the following procedures are observed:

Notre Dame Seminary will waive its rights to intellectual property under the following circumstances:

• All intellectual property developed without a significant use of the seminary’s resources and without corporate, federal or other external sponsorship.
• All rights in artistic, literary and scholarly intellectual property, such as scholarly books, articles, and other publications including electronic forms, works of art, literature and music recordings owned by the individual despite use of the institution’s resources, as long as such works are neither created under the direction and control of the seminary, nor developed in the performance of a sponsored research or other third party agreement.
• All copyright in papers, theses and dissertations written by a student to earn credit in seminary courses or otherwise to satisfy the degree requirements.
• All copyright of works such as textbooks, articles, papers, and scholarly monographs.

      No use of the name of Notre Dame Seminary in the promotion or sale of intellectual property is permitted without prior written approval of the seminary, whether the seminary has the ownership of intellectual property or has returned the rights to the author, creator or developer. Requests for this approval must be submitted to the Academic Dean.

Amendments to the Policy

      Notre Dame Seminary reserves the right to amend this policy at any time. Any royalty distribution due on account of intellectual property matters are regulated by the policy in effect at the time the seminary enters into contractual arrangements concerning the promotion of the intellectual property.

Waivers

      Notre Dame Seminary may grant a waiver of any provision of this policy on a case-by-case basis. The waivers must be in writing and signed by Academic Dean. The best interest of the seminary will always be taken into account in the granting of any waiver. Any waiver granted under this article will apply only to obligations imposed on the creator, author or developer unless otherwise agreed by the individual.

Royalty Distribution

      Distribution of royalties paid in accordance with this policy represents an employee benefit from the seminary to the recipient. The person must understand that the receipt of income under this policy is subject to taxation. It is the responsibility of the recipient to retain the tax applied to such income derived under the implementation of this policy.

      Funds provided by external sponsors to the Seminary to support any project of the seminary are not royalties and do not constitute income to the institution on which royalty distributions may be calculated.

       When royalty income is received by the Seminary from intellectual property covered under this policy shall consider the following:

• The income will be used first to reimburse the seminary for direct expenses associated with the intellectual property.
• After deduction of expenses, any income from intellectual property will be distributed in this manner:

• 50% to the creator, author developer
• 50% to Notre Dame Seminary

HUMAN FORMATION

1. Each seminarian is assigned a formation advisor when they enter Notre Dame Seminary. The scope of this relationship is to discuss all external forum issues involved in the priestly formation of the seminarian.
2. Through the year, the seminarian will meet at least three (3) times each semester with his formation advisor or as needed to review his progress. The formation advisor is an important point of communication between the seminarian and the formation faculty outside of the formal evaluation.
3. It is the seminarians responsibility to schedule the meetings with his advisor and to be faithful to the meetings. If he knows that he will be unable to keep an appointment or, for some reason, misses a meeting, the seminarian should contact his formation advisor as soon as possible to explain his absence and reschedule the meeting.
4. The relationship of the formation advisor and advisee, while confidential, remains in the external forum.
5. The formation advisor assists the seminarian to assimilate, meet and integrate the demands of the formation program.
6. The faculty periodically meets to review the progress of each seminarian. Any comments from these meetings offered by the faculty will be communicated to the seminarian by the formation advisor.
7. The formation advisor also assists the Seminarian in the annual formal evaluation. Prior to the seminarians formal evaluation he will meet with his formation advisor for a preliminary evaluation meeting. The formation advisor communicates to the seminarian the faculty perceptions of the seminarian and helps prepare the Seminarian for the formal evaluation.
8. As part of the evaluation process, the seminarian will set and state goals and objectives for his ongoing formation. These goals should address the four major areas of priestly formation as outlined in the Program for Priestly Formation: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral. The seminarian will follow up on these goals with his formation advisor during their normal meeting each semester.
9. As part of the formal evaluation the faculty will also set a number of goals for the Seminarian in the areas of the four pillars. The seminarian will follow up on these goals with his formation advisor during their normal meeting each semester.
10. A request for a change in formation advisors would not ordinarily be considered since an advisor is assigned to, not chosen by, the seminarian. If, however, there seems to be a legitimate reason to explore the possibility of such a change, the Seminarian must first speak to his current formation advisor and the Rector. Ultimately, the Rector must agree to the change before it takes place.

Counseling Services

      As a resource to seminarians, the Seminary employs a residential counselor. His main duty is to be available to the Seminarians for consultation regarding issues of human formation. Solid human formation is a prerequisite to effective spiritual and intellectual formation and ministry. Seminarians are encouraged to consult him on personal or family issues, relationships, and sexual maturity.

      The resident counselor also offers occasional workshops and conferences on appropriate formation topics. The administration considers him as a non-voting member and regards his conversations with Seminarians as internal forum.

      It is the seminarians responsibility to schedule the meeting with the counselor and to be faithful to the meetings. If he knows that he will be unable to keep an appointment or, for some reason, misses a meeting, the Seminarian should contact the counselor as soon as possible to explain his absence and reschedule the meeting.

Liturgical Celebrations

      Vacated residence rooms must be returned to their original condition and keys returned to the seminary business office. Students, vacating the seminary permanently and before the final departure , along with the Human Formation Director and the Director of Facilities make a room inspection and collect the room and building keys. If a vacated residence room requires extensive repair or cleanup, the Director of Facilities will bill the students diocese for such costs.

Community Activities

      Principle of concern for the Church. Out of a desire to assist in the formation of the seminarian or to safeguard the well-being of the Church, someone occasionally comes forward to express serious concern about a particular seminarian. Such action requires courage, and the person coming forward deserves to be treated with respect. In particularly sensitive circumstances, such a person needs support and even protection from reprisal. Every effort compatible with justice should be made to do this, but the person should realize that justice may require that he or she will eventually have to stand behind the charge that has been made.

      Principle for Notre Dame seminary. When the welfare of the community and/or the well-being of the institution is/are significantly threatened, a member of the administration, formation faculty or staff may be obliged to bring the matter to the attention of the rector. Eventually, after investigation of the matter, the

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

      The goal of the seminary’s Spiritual Formation Program is to promote the formation of mature, holy and well-balanced priests and pastors for the Catholic Church today. Implied in this goal are the following objectives:

1. To deepen each seminarian’s experience of God as well as his relationship with God and His people.
2. To inculcate a profound trust in God’s love together with an appreciation of God’s salvation to all people in Jesus Christ as proclaimed through His Church.
3. To foster a firm commitment to service, priestly ministry and a celibate lifestyle based on a solid and genuine prayer life.
4. To insure a solid grounding in Catholic tradition and theology, as reflected in the Second Vatican Council.
5. To provide an understanding and experience of the developmental nature of the spiritual life.
6. To develop a keen pastoral and liturgical vision, sensitivity and competency.
7. To awaken an awareness of the needs and circumstances of the wider community, especially in matters of ecumenism, respect for life and social justice.
8. To develop the habit of healthy self-discipline.
9. To provide an awareness and appreciation of and respect for the gifts of the people of God.
10. To provide the opportunity for integration of diverse segments of life in the seminary and priesthood; i.e., prayer, theology, community, pastoral ministry, friendship and leisure.

      The structured program of spiritual formation at Notre Dame Seminary is designed to implement this goal by means of individual and community prayer, daily Eucharist, frequent opportunities for the reception of the Sacrament of Penance, spiritual direction, monthly class conferences and rector’s conferences, faith-sharing groups, theological reflection, days of recollection, annual retreats, formation workshops and self-evaluation.

      All seminarians are expected to make an annual retreat as directed by the Program of Priestly Formation (#320) and the Code of Canon Law (Can. 246 #5). The annual retreats for the various class levels will be conducted according to the following schema. Candidates for diaconate ordination will make individual directed retreats prior to diaconate ordination. A priesthood ordination retreat will be scheduled at the end of the spring semester of Fourth Theology. Third and Second Theology will have a five-day preached retreat, as determined by the Director of Spiritual Formation. First Theology will make a five- day individually directed retreat. Pre-Theology will make a separate silent preached retreat at the same time the theology classes are making their retreats.

      Once or twice each month, seminarians will gather in faith-sharing group sessions known as Maranatha groups. The Maranatha groups aim at providing an opportunity for the practice of faith sharing in an atmosphere of trust and openness (PPF #275). The description Maranatha comes from the scriptural verses in 1 Corinthians and Revelation which invite the presence of the Lord. The sharing of the group is to enable the seminarian to know Jesus more deeply and to see how he is present in his life and in the lives of others.  Attendance is required for all seminarians at scheduled Maranatha group sessions.

Ministries of Reader, Acolyte and Admission to Candidacy

• Spiritual Formation
• Human Formation
• Intellectual Formation
• Pastoral Formation
• Vocation Discernment
• Goals

I. Rationale. The purpose of the evaluation process is to enable a seminarian to grow in his readiness for priestly ministry. To offer one’s life to the Church for service as a priest is a privilege and an awesome responsibility. It is the responsibility of the seminary faculty to recommend men for ordination to the priesthood who are committed to prayer, theological study, pastoral care and self-knowledge.    

The evaluation process concentrates on growth in spirituality, theological study and pastoral care and the way in which these are integrated in the seminarian’s life experience. This assessment invites the seminarian to grow in self-knowledge and to come to a deeper understanding of God’s call to the ordained priesthood.

The process will aim to affirm a person’s gifts and to challenge him in areas that could lead to personal growth and to further development in priestly formation.

Theologically, a seminarian must recall that his desire for ordained ministry and the discernment of God’s call are to be confirmed by the Church community and the Bishop. The evaluation process is viewed as a group discernment such as a means of giving affirmation and/or clarification to this call to priestly ministry.

II. The Process. The Rector is responsible for coordinating the evaluation process and for scheduling the student interviews.

The seminarian, following the "Evaluation Form," should submit his self-evaluation to the Rector two weeks prior to the scheduled interview with members of the Formation Committee. The seminarian should discuss his self-evaluation with his spiritual director in order to check its accuracy and to benefit from his director’s insights on his personal, spiritual and academic growth. The spiritual director should sign the self-evaluation. The self-evaluation is to be typed and submitted in a sealed envelope to the Rector.

Privately, the Seminarian will forward a copy of the student’s self-evaluation to the Vocation Director to prepare for the interview. The Vocation Director is encouraged to participate in the evaluation process. It is the collaborative effort of the seminary faculty and vocation director that enables priestly formation to be effective. If the vocation directors are unable to attend, they may send a representative. The faculty will meet to discuss the academic progress and overall performance of each student. The Rector will summarize the faculty comments and discuss them in the interview with the seminarian.

The following persons will be present for the interview with the Seminarian:

      Answer these questions in light of your most recent pastoral experience, either in the seminary program or from your experience prior to coming to the seminary.

1. What personal gifts do you have that would be an asset for pastoral ministry as a priest? Be specific.
2. How is your pastoral work preparing you for priestly ministry? What are you learning about ministry?
3. Comment on your capacity for collaborative ministry.
4. What have you learned about yourself from your pastoral work?
5. Describe your capacity for maintaining boundaries (professional and personal) in the ministerial setting.

V. Vocation Discernment – Guide questions:

1. Why do you want to be a priest? Has this desire grown in the past year?
2. In your own words, give a brief definition of ordained priesthood. How do you see yours fitting this image?
3. Discuss your ability to embrace the commitment of celibate chastity. (This question must be answered).
4. Comment on your ability to embrace the commitments to obedience and a simple life. e. Describe your ability to be a leader in the Church and give examples of how you have demonstrated leadership.

      Students from other countries may be admitted to the degree programs at Notre Dame. Evidence must be presented of academic preparation equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Admissions Office. Applicants must also provide recommendations from church leaders in their native countries.

      All students desiring to enter Notre Dame Seminary who are learners or speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL) or English a Foreign Language (EFL) will be required, as part of the entrance formalities, to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 550 for the paper-based version of the test (240computer based; 80 Internet-based). Potential NDS students have an opportunity to take the paper-based TOEFL administered on the NDS campus each semester.

      If the student, as part of his past education, has passed the TOEFL within the past two years with the requisite score of 550, he may be accepted. Students who have not taken the TOEFL or who have taken it but not reached the requisite score, or who have a score of 550 or higher but whose scores are outdated (more than two years old), will have to take or re-take the TOEFL prior to the start of classes. The Notre Dame Seminary (NDS) English Language Program (ELP) will administer the paper-based TOEFL at the beginning and end of each semester. All potential NDS students are welcomed to take the TOEFL on the seminary campus before the start of classes. A student may be exempt from this requirement at the discretion of the Academic Dean.

      Any student who does not receive a score of at least 550 points and who wants to pursue a degree at Notre Dame Seminary can enroll in the seminary’s English Language Program (ELP) to study English until he is able to achieve a score of 550. If a student has a score between 500 and 550 on the TOEFL, and wants to pursue entry into the seminary theological degree program, he is encouraged to attend NDS the ELP courses and may audit a limited number of theology courses, which will be determined by the Admissions Board. At the end of the semester of ELP classes and audited seminary classes, the student will retake the TOEFL in order to be considered for re-admission into the theology degree program. If the individual does not succeed in attaining the minimum TOEFL score required (550 points), he will continue in the English program until he achieves the minimum TOEFL score.

Special Students

Seminarian Applicants

      The following documents must be sent by mail directly from the School, Parish Church, Chancery, etc. concerned. They should be mailed to: The Rector, Notre Dame Seminary, 2901 South Carrollton Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118-4391. The following information must be received before a candidate’s application for admission can be reviewed by the Admissions Board:

1. Seminarian Graduate School Application Form.
2. Two recent photographs.
3. Two letters of recommendation from professors or non-relatives.
4. Transcripts of college credits (transcripts must be sent to the Registrar’s Office directly from the Office of the Registrar of all the undergraduate and graduate colleges/universities attended).
5. Graduate Record Exam (GRE), prior to August 31st.
6. Letters of recommendation from the Rectors of all seminaries the applicant has attended and/or is presently attending. If the applicant is attending a non-seminary college, a letter of recommendation from some officer of the college is required.
7. Official and currently dated baptismal and confirmation certificate.
8. A letter of sponsorship from applicant’s bishop or vocation director.
9. Certificate of reader, acolyte, admission or ordination is required if these ministries have been received by the applicant.
10. Physical examination (within the last six months).
11. Psychological assessment. 13. Essay.

      To discontinue in a course after the dates published in the academic calendar is considered a withdrawal "W" and a record of this appears on the student's permanent transcript. In order to withdraw from any course, the student must receive the written approval of the Academic Dean. Forms for this are available in the registrar's office. The last day for withdrawing from a course with a "W" grade is indicated in the academic calendar.

NOTE: "Course Withdrawal" forms are to be submitted to the Dean's office, not to the course instructor.

Academic Standing

1. Stage One: They should consult the instructor as soon as possible to seek an explanation and try to resolve the problem. Only if this is unsuccessful, they may proceed to stage two.
2. Stage Two: They should submit their case, in writing, to the Academic Dean with a copy to the instructor, no later than six (6) weeks after the beginning of the following semester.

1. The Dean will then act as negotiator in attempting to resolve the dispute in informal fashion, consulting with both parties, jointly or individually, and using any other means he deems appropriate—while naturally holding in confidence all written and oral statements. Should the Dean himself be named as the instructor in the case, then the students should take their appeal to the President-Rector who will act as negotiator (as above) and replace the Dean in all further stages of the appeal procedure.
2. If the above negotiations are unsuccessful, the Dean, after deciding that the student has a case which warrants further action, will refer the matter to stage three.

3. Stage Three: The Dean appoints an ad-hoc committee of two or three faculty members, who have some knowledge of the academic area in question, to review the matter. The Dean, with the approval of these faculty members, may at his discretion co-opt one or more students to the committee as consultors. The committee will review the student's work in the course in question (papers, tests, etc.), together with the professor's evaluation (which can include class work and performances), taking into account the written procedure for grading that the professor has submitted at the beginning of his course to students together with the course syllabus (approved by the Dean in the usual way). The committee's findings are by way of recommendation to the Dean (either to retain, or to change the grade). The committee will make every effort to achieve a consensus recommendation. In case of a tie vote, the Dean will decide the matter (he may co-opt a further member to the committee).
4. Stage Four: On the basis of the committee recommendations, the Dean makes the final decision whether to retain or change the grade; his decision is not effective till after one week, the period allowed for an appeal by either the student or instructor. Should the dean decide that the appeal is well grounded, he may direct a rehearing.

Consortium

      Notre Dame Seminary, in 1971, became an affiliate member of the New Orleans Consortium with Loyola University and Xavier University as its full members. Full-time students wishing to take courses at these institutions under consortium privileges, and wishing to have credits transferred to Notre Dame must have the written approval of the Academic Dean before registering for these courses. According to the consortium agreement full-time students at Notre Dame are limited to six (6) undergraduate credit hours per semester in the participating universities.

      In 1994, Notre Dame Seminary and Our Lady of Holy Cross College entered into an agreement for a jointly earned Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies with the core curriculum taken at Holy Cross, while the philosophy minor and the theology major are taken at Notre Dame. The degree is granted by Our Lady of Holy Cross College. A few students who come without a B.A. or B.S. take advantage of this program while simultaneously fulfilling the Notre Dame pre-theology program.

Master of Divinity

As minister of Word and Sacrament, the priest is called by God and by the Church to be a servant of the ecclesial community. One must be able to participate personally and help others to participate personally in the community’s proclamation of the Word and celebration of the sacraments. When the priest preaches or baptizes, Christ speaks and transforms; when one hears the Word or is baptized, the entire community is enlightened and enlivened. The minister must strive to ensure that every member of the community of believers can participate, with appropriate rights and responsibilities, in the vital experiences of Word and Sacrament.

The most effective service of Word and Sacrament is exercised where justice and peace are operative. The prophetic and pastoral traditions of the people of God guide the priest in ministering to the current needs and concerns of the immediate faith community and to the wider communities with which it interacts. The "Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World" offers an outline of a viable Christian anthropology and identifies current needs and concerns. In effect, the three-fold process of formation in Word, Sacrament and Community should establish a conformity of the seminarian to Jesus Christ, prophet, priest and pastor.

Master of Divinity Curriculum

                         GRAND TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 133 credit hours

      Because of their unique competencies, Vatican Council II has recognized the important role of lay ministers play in the Church as well as in society. The lay apostolate complements pastoral ministry, and the Council has exhorted "the laity to take a more active part, each according to his/her talents and knowledge and in fidelity to the mind of the Church, in the explanation and defense of Christian principles and in the correct application of them to the problems of our times." (Decree on the Apostolate of the Lay People, Ch II, par. 7). Men and women religious also play an important role in the Church and in society. Through profession of the evangelical counsels they bear witness to the presence of Christ in the world today and are a counter-cultural sign. The ministries of men and women religious build up and enrich the Church community and are a unique presence of the Church within society as they seek to make Christ known and loved and to build the kingdom. After enriching their own personal understanding and faith through the study of theology, both lay persons and religious are better equipped to share "the mind of the Church" with others through their ministries.

      The center of faith is belief in Christ as expressed in the teachings and heritage of the Catholic Church. Notre Dame Seminary offers a curriculum centered in Jesus Christ that preserves the rich deposit that is our Catholic heritage. The desire to be faithful to the teachings of the Church and to apply these teachings to everyday life deeply motivates those who undertake the study of theology. To this study the student brings expertise from all aspects of living - the work force, culture, the business world, family and community life, ministries and mission work, and the parish. Courses relevant to the lay person and religious in society, address practical solutions to modern issues in areas such as medical ethics, social justice and human sexuality. By learning the methods of theology and gaining competence in several theological areas, students are better able to relate the Word of God to the various aspects of their lives. A deepening in theology, spirituality, and scripture, and a new awareness of the modern issues in society enable students to integrate their faith life with their ministry and to better serve the people of God.

      Intellectual formation at Notre Dame is not merely academic. The students are exposed to a Catholic communal environment that effects a change in their personal and professional lives. Because programs are suited to the needs and plans of the students, their unique gifts and talents can be developed for ministry. To this end, each receives individual attention, guidance and support from both the faculty and the community. The time of study an off-campus student requires to earn a degree may be very short or may occupy several years, depending on the life circumstances of each individual. Some students may choose not to take courses for a degree but for personal growth and enrichment. No matter how much time off-campus students are present, they give and receive many blessings by participating in the community. By studying alongside the seminarians, the lay students learn theology in a seminary environment and they gain unique insights into some aspects of clerical formation. In turn, seminarians learn from studying with lay students and religious about collaboration, styles of ministry and are challenged in their intellectual endeavors. Sharing educational experiences fosters greater unity and promotes the wider notion of family within the Church.

1. To develop in general a mature understanding of theology, in an environment of catholic theology, as the basis of the students’ life and activity.
2. To provide students with an understanding of contemporary developments in biblical studies and in systematic, historical and moral theology, and also, as appropriate, in spiritual theology.
3. To introduce and expose students to contemporary scholarship in these areas.
4. To put students in contact with the sources that lie behind contemporary developments.
5. To enable students to engage in various activities of Christian ministry from a sound theological perspective.
6. To assist students to integrate their personal faith experience with solid theological insights and convictions.
7. To enable students to pursue their chosen professional career from the perspective of an informed religious commitment.
8. To deepen and enrich the personal Christian life and activities of all participants.
9. For candidates pursuing the program as preparation for higher graduate studies (Research M.A. degree):
   1. To form students in correct methodology for theological scholarship and research.
   2. To encourage and foster personal research and investigation, particularly in the students’ chosen area of concentration.
   3. To provide a solid basis for advance graduate work, and to equip students with the skills necessary to succeed in this academic endeavor.

MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAM

Three-tiered M.A. Program Basic M.A.

      The Basic M.A. requires 36 credit hours of coursework, nine hours in four of the five major disciplines taught at the seminary:

• Sacred Scripture
• Historical Theology
• Systematic Theology
• Moral Theology
• Spiritual Theology

      All students will be required to take the foundational course in a given area before or concurrent with any other coursework in that given area. These foundational courses are those numbered 101 in any given area (i.e., HT 101, ST 101, etc.).

NB: Catholic educators in the Handing on the Faith program have a prescribed set of courses that has been determined by the administration of NDS in conjunction with the Department of Religious Education of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Requisites for Research M.A.

1. Maintain an overall average of at least 3.0.
2. The candidate must submit a thesis that has been directed by a director approved by the M.A. Director.
3. The thesis must be submitted no later than two years after the completion of course work. For a good reason, the thesis committee may consider a request for extra time.
4. The candidate must present an oral defense of the thesis.
5. The candidate must successfully complete comprehensive examinations.

      A faculty member who has been selected to direct a thesis should consult the "Thesis Guidelines" in relation to procedures and timetables and follow A Manual for Writers for style and format.

The Thesis Director

1. Will advice the student in selecting two faculty members for the committee; however, the student will make final decisions regarding the composition of the committee.
2. Can suggest that the candidate seek advice of other experts in preparing the prospectus.
3. Should work closely with the candidate, setting up a timetable for each chapter (or portion thereof) and correcting chapters as they are submitted with appropriate suggestions.
4. Will be required to submit regular progress reports, written or oral, to the M.A. Director.

Student’s Thesis Guidelines

      The candidate for the M.A. in Theological Studies is required to plan the projected thesis in due course under the guidance of the director. The following requisites must be completed by the spring semester of the calendar year in which the degree is to be conferred.

The candidate will:

1. File a thesis application with the Director of the M.A. program.
2. Select a thesis topic with the aid and approval of the thesis director chosen by the student.
3. Write a 500-word prospectus and prepare a supporting bibliography, approved by the thesis director.
4. Submit to the M.A. Director, in consultation with the thesis director, names of two readers who are knowledgeable of the subject matter to serve on the Thesis Committee.
5. Appear before a review committee (usually the same as the Thesis Committee) named by the M.A. Director, when notified by the M.A. Director to explain the nature and scope of the research project.

      Once the review committee has approved the project, the candidate’s thesis can be presented, even if the thesis director is no longer on the faculty (providing the student professionally completes the stated intention).

      Once the thesis is written, the student will contact the Director of the M.A. program to arrange a date for the defense of the thesis. Two weeks before the date of the defense, the student will supply a draft copy of the thesis to the thesis director, the two members of the committee and the Director of the M.A. program.

Meeting for the Defense of the Thesis

      After the date for the defense has been set, the Director of the M.A. program will post an announcement on the academic bulletin board, inviting the faculty and student body to the meeting as observers. The time of the meeting will be set at a time convenient to the student and committee members rather than the student body. He will reserve a room for the meeting.

The Director of the M.A. program or an appointed faculty member will moderate the meeting which will follow this procedure:

After the Meeting

      If the thesis is approved by the thesis director and the two readers, it will be returned to the student for final corrections and recommendations. A sample title page and signature page may be obtained from the M.A. Director’s office. The completed, not draft, thesis and two copies must be submitted to the Registrar by April 1st if the student intends to receive a degree at the time of the spring graduation.

      There is a $25.00 fee to bind the thesis for the library. The finished thesis becomes the property of Notre Dame Seminary and may not be published in whole or in part without the written permission of the Director of the M.A. program.

      Occasionally, one of the appointed readers of the Thesis Committee will be a faculty member of another seminary or university. The fee for an outside reader is $50.00.

Note:

1. Three credits are given for the M.A. thesis or a variable amount of credits for which a student can apply with the vote of the thesis director and the committee.
2. The three credits are not applicable to the four courses in the area of concentration.
3. If more credits are given for the thesis, only those additional credits may be applied to the four courses of concentration.
4. The thesis is given a grade and the grade calculated in the grade point average, carrying the weight of a three (3) credit course.

Guidelines for Directed Study

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SS 204 Prophets – 3 credit hours

Selected portions of Job, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Sirach and Wisdom will be subjected to detailed study. These texts will first be studied in their historical and literary contexts and then their significance for Christian theology will be explored.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the wisdom and liturgical traditions of Israel.

HT 101 Church History and the Patristic Period – 3 credit hours

This course covers the period of the Apostolic Fathers through the Second Council of Nicaea in 787 A.D. The purpose of the course is to provide a structured encounter with the writers of Christian Antiquity, who engaged Greco-Roman thought with Christian Revelation and in the process articulated the theological synthesis which remains the foundation of Catholic dogma. The course also examines the emergence of a struggle between the relative authorities of the Church and state that manifested itself in the Patristic period. An emphasis will be placed on the primary sources so that students can encounter the Fathers of the Church directly.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will be familiar with the major writers and selected texts of the Patristic Period. Students will also understand the major developments of Catholic history and theology in the Patristic Period. Finally, students will be able to construct theological explanations and syntheses using the writings of the Fathers and councils of the Patristic Period.

HT 202 Medieval Period – 3 credit hours

This course covers the period from the crowning of Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor in 800 A.D. through the Great Schism, which lasted from 1378 to 1417. The purpose of this course is to enable the student to engage the Medieval Mind as it arrived at the synthesis of Faith and Reason as articulated in the proper relationship between philosophy and theology. Particular attention will be given to the development of scientific precision in the theological process through the use of the dialectic method. Emphasis will be given to the primary sources so that students can directly encounter the thought of such theologians as Anselm, Bonaventure, and Thomas Aquinas.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will become familiar with the major writers and important texts of the Medieval Period. They will be able to outline an understanding of the major historical and theological developments in the Medieval Period. Finally, students will be able to construct theological explanations using the writings and councils of the Medieval Period.

HT 303 Reformation and the Modern Period – 3 credit hours

This course covers the period from the Council of Constance, which met from 1414 to 1417, to the French Revolution, which began in 1789. The purpose of the course is to trace the disintegration of the medieval synthesis in the violence accompanying the Protestant movements in Western Europe, and the replacement of that synthesis with the erroneous assumption that faith and reason, religion and science, are intrinsically incompatible. The teaching of the Church which was given as a corrective to these errors will be studied, along with the institutional changes that were a result of the Church’s adaptation to an increasingly secular world.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will become familiar with the major writers and selected texts of the Early Modern and Enlightenment Period. They will be able to outline the overall developments in history and theology in the Early Modern and Enlightenment Period. Finally, students will be able to construct theological explanations using the writings and councils of the Early Modern and Enlightenment Period.

HT 404 The Catholic Church in America – 3 credit hours

The course covers the particular development of the Catholic Church in what is today the United States, from the European colonization through the Second Vatican Council. The purpose of the course is to trace the origins of the separate traditions of colonial Catholicism and study how they subsequently developed. Particular attention is given to the external influences which prompted internal changes in American Catholicism such as: the creation of the constitutional secular republic, the waves of Catholic immigrants who relocated to the United States beginning in the early nineteenth century, the recurring episodes of anti-Catholicism which caused American Catholicism to become hyper-patriotic, the post-World War II social and moral engagement with larger historical trends such as gender/civil rights, economic movements, government policy, and bioethics. The course will end in the post-Vatican II period, with a reflection on the current state of the Church in light of its history.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will be familiar with important texts in American Catholic History. They will be able to outline the major developments in Catholic history and theology in the United States. Finally, they will be able to explain the various contemporary situations in the American Catholic experience, making specific reference to its historical and theological milieu.

HT 405 Modern – Contemporary Period - 3 credit hours

This course covers the period from the French Revolution, which began in 1789, through the period following the Second Vatican Council, which met from 1962 to 1965. The purpose of the course is to enable the student to observe the manner in which the Catholic Church fulfilled its teaching role in a world fragmented by increasingly destructive wars, neo-pagan ideologies, militant nationalism, atheist materialism, and secular anti-clericalism. Both papal and conciliar teaching of the period, as well as study of the many persecutions of the era, will be used to structure the survey of the period.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will be familiar with the major writers and texts of the Modern and Contemporary Period. They will be able to outline the major developments of Catholic history and theology in the Modern and Contemporary Period. Finally, they will be able to construct theological explanations using the writings and councils of the Modern and Contemporary Period.

ST 001 Catechism of the Catholic Church I – 3 credit hours

This course introduces the student to teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Topics include the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Holy Spirit, the Church, Mary, and Eschatology.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will be able to discuss the basics of Catholic doctrine as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. They will be able to articulate answers to basic catechetical questions with clarity and precision.

ST 002 Catechism of the Catholic Church II – 3 credit hours

This course introduces the student to teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Topics include the Sacraments, Morality, Conscience, Virtue, Sin, Social Justice, Grace, and Prayer.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will be able to discuss the basics of Catholic doctrine as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. They will be able to articulate answers to basic catechetical questions with clarity and precision.

This course treats the foundational issues that are a necessity to the study of Systematic Theology. The course begins with an examination of the nature and method of theology and the sources and necessity of divine revelation. Topics covered in the course include God, His existence and attributes, the relation between faith and reason, biblical inspiration and interpretation, and the development of dogmas and authority in the Church. An essential apologetics will also be covered.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will be able to articulate the relationship between the following: nature and revelation, philosophy and theology, reason and faith. Students will be able to articulate a defense of Christianity as opposed to those who, for various reasons, would discredit the faith.

ST 102 Man, Grace and Salvation - 3 credit hours

This course treats the origin and constitution of man, the fall, and God’s plan to restore man to full communion. Topics will include grace, justification, and the beatific vision. The course will explore these topics from scriptural, historical, and dogmatic perspectives. Students will be exposed to important texts from St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas and the Council of Trent.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will be able to articulate a theology of man’s origin and end. They will be able to describe and defend the Church’s teaching on justification as found in the Council of Trent. Students will have an understanding of grace, its various types, and the effects of sanctifying grace.

ST 203 Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist - 4 credit hours

This course covers the theology of the Sacraments of Initiation. Baptism and Confirmation will be examined in their New Testament origins, Patristic development, conciliar definitions, and other magisterial pronouncements. The theology of the Eucharist will be explored from a biblical and historical perspective, with an emphasis on the dogmatic teaching of the Church. This will include the medieval disputes concerning the Real Presence, and the teaching of the Council of Trent on Transubstantiation. Contemporary questions will also be examined.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will be able to articulate the following: a general theology of the sacraments, a theology of the Sacraments of Initiation as a whole, and a theology of each Sacrament of Initiation in particular. Students will be conversant with the historical and dogmatic developments with regard to each of the sacraments. Finally, they will be able to integrate this theology of the sacraments with the Church’s liturgical and canonical teachings with regard to Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.

ST 204 Christology and Mariology - 3 credit hours

This course treats the theology of the person and mission of Jesus Christ. While providing the biblical foundation for an understanding of Christ, the course is primarily directed to studying Christology from a historico-dogmatic perspective. The course will examine such important texts such as the De Incarnatione of St. Athanasius, the Cur Deus Homo of St. Anselm, and selections from the Summa theologiae of St. Thomas Aquinas. An essential Mariology will also be covered, examining the various Marian dogmas, and the relation of Mariology to other dogmatic areas such as Ecclesiology, Soteriology, and Spiritual Theology.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will understand the problems and solutions in the Patristic development of Christology up to the Council of Chalcedon. They will be able to identify the subsequent Christological problems after Chalcedon and the Church’s theological response. They will understand the various contributions to Christology in the Scholastic period. They will be able to evaluate modern christologies in light of the Catholic tradition in order to judge their soundness. They will be able to articulate an essential Mariology based on the dogmatic teaching of the Church.

ST 305 Sacrament of Marriage - 2 credit hours

The course presents the theology of the Sacrament of Matrimony from Sacred Scripture, the Tradition, and the Magisterium. Important texts such as Augustine’s De boni conjugali, Pius XI’s Casti conubii, and John Paul II’s Love and Responsibility will be closely examined.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will be able to articulate the Catholic understanding of the Sacrament of Marriage as found in the Sacred Scriptures and taught by the Magisterium. Students will be familiar with the creative teaching of Pope John Paul II on these subjects as found in his pre-papal and papal writings on this topic. They will develop awareness and understanding of the sources of contemporary culture’s objections of the Church’s teaching on marriage and the family. Finally, students will be able to articulate an authentic Catholic response to these objections.

ST 306 Ecclesiology and Ecumenism - 3 credit hours

The course presents ecclesiology from a scriptural, historical, and dogmatic perspective. Special emphasis will be on recent papal, magisterial, and conciliar documents that clearly articulate the Church’s self-understanding. Topics covered include the Church as sacrament, papal primacy and authority, the relation between universal Church and local churches, the Church as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, and the Church’s teaching on ecumenism.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will be able to demonstrate and articulate an understanding of the foundation, structure, properties and function of the Church as found in the Scriptures, Tradition, and the Magisterium. Students will be familiar with Vatican II’s Lumen Gentium, Unitatis redintegratio, and Ad gentes. Finally, students will be able to communicate an authentic ecumenism based on the Church’s teaching about herself and her relation to other Christian churches or ecclesial communities.

ST 307 Triune God - 3 credit hours

This course utilizes primary sources to trace the theological development of the Church’s understanding of the greatest mystery of our faith, the Trinity. Besides the various conciliar and creedal developments, the course will examine the works of theologians such as Athanasius, Hilary of Poitiers, Gregory of Nyssa, Augustine, Anselm, and Aquinas. Various modern Trinitarian models will be examined in light of the Tradition.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will be able to express the Trinitarian faith of the Church as found in Sacred Scripture, Councils, and the Fathers and Doctors of the Church. They will understand and be able to accurately recount the issues that led to the Trinitarian controversies of the fourth century. Students will become familiar with various theologians and their contributions to Trinitarian theology. Finally, they will be able to analyze a given Trinitarian model with regard to its authenticity and soundness in light of the Catholic theological Tradition.

ST 408 Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Anointing - 2 credit hours

The course presents a study of the Sacraments of Penance and Anointing from a historical, theological, and pastoral perspective.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will develop an appreciation of the development of these sacraments into their present form; they will understand the theology of these sacraments so as to explain their necessity and value in the modern context. Students will develop the needed skills in order to present and administer these sacraments in various pastoral situations.

ST 409 The Theology of the Priesthood and Holy Orders - 2 credit hours

This course is an examination of the priesthood from a scriptural, historical, and dogmatic perspective. The development and theology of the three degrees of the Sacrament of Orders is examined, with emphasis on the priest as in persona Christi, and the threefold office of priest, teacher, and pastor in the life of all who are ordained.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will be able to articulate a theology of the priesthood that reflects the Church’s conciliar and magisterial teaching. They will be able to integrate the theology of the priesthood into their own vocational journey. Students will be able to defend the Church’s teaching on the ministerial priesthood on such topics as celibacy and obedience.

CL 201 Canon Law I – 3 credit hours

Basic introduction to canon law with special emphasis upon the role of the priest as sanctifier, teacher, parish administrator and official representative of the Church’s Magisterium.

Envisioned outcomes – Equip students with canonical knowledge necessary for the pastoral works in the parish within the framework of "Priest, Prophet and King." Begin the journey of concretization and appropriation of theological principles and values.

CL 202 Canon Law II (Marriage) – 3 credit hours

The course presents a systematic study of the Sacrament of Marriage according to the canon law of the Catholic Church, with attention to the underlying theological doctrines, the pertinent canons of the 1983 Code of Canon Law and relevant jurisprudence. After a brief historical introduction, students are introduced to the elements of nuptial consent (cann. 1055-1062) and to impediments and other factors that can invalidate consent (cann. 1073-1107). Also covered are pastoral care and the prerequisites for the celebration of marriage (cann. 1063-1072) as well as the "canonical form" of marriage (cc. 1108-1129). Finally, cover Book VII of the Code (cann. 1400-1707) through brief introduction to tribunal procedures dealing with the invalidity or dissolution of marital unions.

Envisioned outcomes – Assist the student in gaining the appropriate theological and canonical understanding of the Sacrament of Marriage, in gaining the canonical knowledge necessary for the pastoral care of those seeking marriage preparation and the liturgical celebration of marriages, and in gaining the canonical knowledge necessary for ministering to those whose marriages have failed by assisting them in initiating processes for marital nullity or dissolution.

FE 401 Fall Supervised Parish Internship – 3 credit hours

Full-time parish ministry by a student under the supervision of a parish priest. Theological reflection sessions, pastoral reports and evaluative feedbacks from the parish staff and lay support committee as well as from the pastor/supervisor are required. Envisioned outcomes – Follow same as described in FE 400.

Study of the theory and practice of communication skills and techniques used in proclaiming the Word of God in a liturgical setting. Videotaping of weekly exercises and readings with evaluation and critique.

Envisioned outcomes – Ability to choose an appropriate topic, analyze an audience, and adapt an oral presentation that is significant, appropriate and effective; organize, outline, introduce and conclude a variety of oral presentations; identify and apply basic concepts of listening theory; draw, label and explain a model of the communication process; identify and explain the major players (philosophers and orators) and theories (classical, modern, post-modern) from the Greco-Roman-Anglo-American Western tradition of the rhetorical theory; able to interview and introduce a person to an audience; create and orate a personal narrative; and be able to critique speeches through written and oral communication.

HSP 101 Teaching and Preaching the Word of God – 3 credit hours

The teaching and preaching roles of the priest. With Scripture as the foundation, practical ways to make the Word of God applicable to the contemporary Christian community. Various methods of religious education, models of preaching and the relationship between teaching, preaching, and the sacraments. Some time is devoted to lesson plans, evaluations, child psychology and classroom management. Prepares the student to assume the role of teacher/director in the parish religious program.

Envisioned outcomes – Upon the completion of this course, the student will be able to examine and apply major principles of evangelization articulated in the General Directory for Catechesis and Fulfilled in Your Hearing.  Explore practical ways to make the Word of God applicable to the contemporary Christian community in various stages, ages and culture. Identify and analyze both homiletic and pedagogical theories and methods and have some practical experience in their implementation.

HSP 202 Homiletics Practicum I – 2 credit hours

A practical study of the preparation and presentation of the Sunday homily aimed at deepening the homilist’s appreciation of the power of the word of God and enhancing his public speaking ability. Evaluation of content and technique includes the use of videotaping and peer and instructor critique.

Envisioned outcomes – Familiarity with various homiletic resource materials; a knowledge of the verbal and non-verbal dynamics involved in public communication; ability to derive homiletic themes from any given set of lectionary readings; ability to synthesize homiletic themes theologically and creatively; ability to listen to oneself critically, to hear oneself as the congregation does; ability and willingness continually to update one’s development as a minister of the Word.

HSP 303 Homiletics Practicum II – 2 credit hours

After a general review of the theology of preaching, the course will explore: (a) the theologies of baptism, marriage and death; (b) the Catholic rites used in baptisms, weddings and funerals; (c) the relevant pastoral issues. The course will conclude with presentations on preaching the weekday homily, preaching at special occasions, preaching to youth and the effective use of homiletic resources.

Envisioned outcomes – The students will be challenged to learn how to write and deliver homilies for baptisms, weddings, and funerals, and how to critique them.

Moral Theology

MT 101 Principles of Moral Theology I - 3 credit hours

The course serves as an introduction to Moral Theology and is specifically designed to acquaint the student of theology with the Moral tradition of the Roman Catholic Church. This course will cover the history of Moral Theology and also specific basic moral notions such as: conscience, freedom, values, norms, and natural law. The basic connection between Moral Theology, Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition will also be explained, as well as how Moral Theology relates to other theological disciplines.

Envisioned outcomes – The student will develop an appreciation of the history of Moral Theology and its connection to theological thought and development. The student taking this course should also be able to understand and articulate fundamental principles related to Moral Theology. These would include natural law, moral norms, and how Moral Theology relates to other theological disciplines and the human sciences.

MT 102 Principles of Moral Theology II - 3 credit hours

This course presents the moral teaching of the encyclical Veritatis Splendor and the Catholic teaching on the virtues. The objective of this course is to acquaint the student of theology with the centrality of Jesus Christ in the Moral teaching of the Church. This focus will also enable the student to see the connection between the person of Christ and the moral life as exemplified in the virtues.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will have a comprehensive understanding of Veritatis Splendor. Students will be able to name and describe in detail the virtues in the moral life of the Christian.

MT 203 Human Sexuality and the States of Life - 3 credit hours

This course will present the teaching of the Church concerning human sexuality with special focus on the history of this theme in theological tradition. It will cover basic moral values that refer especially to the virtue of chastity and how it applies to all states of life. It will also cover topics related to the goods of married life and marriage as a sacrament, while also including the spousal value of chaste celibacy. The Theology of the Body of John Paul II will serve as a major text for reflecting on these topics.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will come to a knowledge and appreciation of chaste celibacy within an overall understanding of the Church’s teaching on sexuality. Students will be expected to know the main documents related to sexual moral teaching, and to be acquainted in a special way with the Theology of the Body of John Paul II, while also being motivated to assimilate this teaching into their life.

MT 204 Theological Bioethics - 3 credit hours

Among the many ministries in the Christian tradition, spiritual direction has a long and revered history. Also, spiritual direction weaves in and out of the varied services asked of a priest in pastoral ministry. This course introduces some of the theoretical and practical aspects of spiritual direction and its relationship to other pastoral ministries; the nature of religious experience and its role in spiritual direction; facilitating another’s life of prayer; discernment.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will learn some basic skills in spiritual direction to be able to respond to pastoral needs they may encounter in their ministry.

Philosophy

PH 001 Logic/ Critical Thinking - 3 credit hours

The purpose of this course is to expose students to the three acts of the mind in the Aristotelian tradition: understanding, judgment and reasoning. They will study the basic kinds of arguments and will learn to evaluate them as to validity, truth, and soundness. Contemporary symbolic logic will be covered briefly with regards to each of the major topics (notably hypothetical and disjunctive arguments), but not without criticism as to its nominalistic underpinnings.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will be able to distinguish univocal, equivocal and analogical terms; they will be able to classify terms using the ten categories and the five predicables (genus, species, etc.); they will be able to recognize and classify 25 of the more common fallacious arguments, such as ad hominem, straw man, begging the question, and authority appeal; they will be able to classify the quantity, quality, and distribution of propositions, and to evaluate the truth-value of propositions based on the square of opposition; Finally, students will be able to classify disjunctive and hypothetical arguments and identify them as valid or invalid.

PH 002 History of Philosophy - 6 credit hours

A general survey of the principal thinkers and movements in the history of western philosophical thought from the Pre-Socratics to existential and linguistic philosophers is offered in this course. Students will be assisted in grasping pertinent ideas of philosophers and of philosophical schools of thought and in assessing the metaphysical, moral, and religious implications of those approaches. Special attention will be paid to the foundations of philosophy in Plato and Aristotle, and the various reasons for and consequences of the modern turn away from classical philosophical approaches

Envisioned outcomes – Students will develop a familiarity with and appreciation for the Western philosophical tradition that has shaped the Western tradition. Students will be familiar with the relevance of philosophy for theological speculation and articulation of doctrine; students will improve their analytical abilities and critical evaluative skills in order to better understand the hidden philosophical assumptions operative in contemporary discourse. They will understand the classical tradition of philosophical inquiry and have a critical appreciation for the reasons why modernity has departed from that tradition.

PH 003 Philosophical Anthropology - 3 credit hours

This course is a presentation of the fundamental philosophical understanding of the human person. Platonic dualism will be contrasted with Aristotelian and Thomistic hylomorphism. These views of the human body/soul composite will be examined with relation to their respective theories of knowledge, moral theory, and metaphysics. Platonic and Aristotelian arguments in favor of the soul’s immortality will be presented.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will become familiar with the fundamental views of the complex reality of human nature. They will have knowledge of the various powers of the soul, and how these can be integrated by virtue to direct humans to their proper end. Students will gain a basic knowledge of skepticism, idealism, and realism and the main proponents of each theory. Finally, students will develop a critical awareness of the problems with reductionist notions of human beings.

PH 004 Survey of Epistemology and Ontology - 3 credit hours

This course presents an examination of the various approaches to justifying our knowledge of the world, including rationalism, empiricism, idealism, and classical realism. Having shown that the proper object of consciousness is being, we will explore the nature and diversification of being and its relationship to a Supreme Being. The orientation is Thomistic and realist.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will develop an appreciation for the true extent of human knowledge as grounded in sense experience and intellectual insight. They will understand the necessity of metaphysical knowledge to augment science for a complete understanding of the universe and understand the unity and diversity of being as determined by metaphysical principles. Students will develop a critical sense of the inadequacy of rationalism, modern empiricism, and idealism. Students will be prepared for theological studies by developing an awareness of both the limits of human reason and the principles of reality that all people cognize as the foundation of human experience and which are presupposed in the life of faith.

PH 005 Philosophical Ethics - 3 credit hours

This course is an introductory survey of philosophical approaches to moral reasoning. We will critically analyze the major approaches to moral reasoning: utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, and natural law, and evaluate their respective validity and practical usefulness. This discussion will be centered around the foundational principles of these moral theories, especially the ideas of goodness, freedom, obligation, virtue, and law.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will understand the underlying reasons for moral disagreement in our society; they will develop an appreciation for the logical coherence of each approach to moral reasoning. Students will understand and be able to articulate the theoretical underpinnings of the four main positions under consideration. They will be able to critique inadequate or sinful moral positions from the perspective of natural law and virtue. Finally, they will understand and be able to articulate the true nature and limits of human freedom.

PH 006 Philosophy of God - 3 credit hours

This course aims to show how the human mind can discover God’s existence and His basic divine attributes by reason, even independently of His self-revelation in Scripture, as stated in Vatican I. It will consider general themes pertinent to man’s rational (i.e. non-revealed) knowledge of God as the ultimate metaphysical principle. The course will first explore the foundational historical approaches to philosophical theology, with special attention to the inadequacies of skeptical, deistic, and pantheistic positions. The second half of the course will examine Thomas Aquinas’s doctrine on God’s existence, essence, attributes, operations, and will.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will understand and be able to articulate the importance of natural theology for the pastoral life. They will develop an appreciation of the need for proper metaphysical methodology. They will develop the skills necessary to defend the faith using rational arguments and analytical techniques. Related to this, students will develop the critical assimilative and evaluative skills required to actively utilize a philosophical approach to theology. Finally, students will grasp the importance of the praeambula fidei in counteracting an overly skeptical or dismissive approach to Scriptural claims about God’s existence and nature.

PH 007 Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas - 3 credit hours

This course introduces the philosophical principles which guide Thomas’s metaphysics, anthropology, epistemology, natural theology, and ethics. There will be special emphasis on both the internal coherence and the synthetic, integrative nature of Thomistic philosophy. These issues will be presented not only in the context of Aquinas’s historical background, but also with reference to the Modern philosophical assumptions that make a return to a realist appreciation of truth so critical for Catholics today.

Envisioned outcomes – Students will develop a deeper familiarity with the thought of Thomas Aquinas. They will acquire an adequate notion of the relation between faith and reason as well as an understanding of the human capacity to know metaphysical and ethical truths. Lastly, students will gain a preparation for theological studies by providing the intellectual groundwork on which theological speculation relies.

PH 008 Philosophy/Theology Seminar - 3 credit hours

PASTORAL FORMATION

FE 001/FE 002          Supervised Pastoral Ministry

      In order for a student to understand adequately the meaning of ministry, he should have some exposure to and involvement in community services. The goal of pastoral work during Pre-theology is to give the individual the opportunity to realize better the needs of a community and his gifts as related to those needs.

First Theology

Fall/Spring

PT 101          Pastoral Theology

HSP 101       Teaching and Preaching the Word

Field Education

      Students are neither required nor encouraged to engage in pastoral field work during first theology. This year is viewed as a time of transition to graduate studies and an atmosphere that will provide time for personal reflection and a strengthening of one’s prayer life. ANY EXTRA-CURRICULAR PASTORAL MINISTRY MUST BE APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL FORMATION AND FIELD EDUCATION.

Pastoral Exposure Program (PEP)

      During first theology students are to participate in the Pastoral Exposure program that will provide students with special ministry concerns.

Mission Experience

      Students are required to visit the missions during the Christmas break as part of the "Acompaño Program."

Summer

FE 200           Supervised Parish Ministry

      It is required that each student, during the summer of the first year of theology, work and live full-time in a parish setting. The purpose of this field experience is to provide exposure to the work of a parish priest, and the opportunity to develop skills in pastoral care. The student should assist in parish programs such as liturgy planning, visitation to the hospital/shut-ins, organization of religious education programs and involvement in their activities, exposure to the Parish Council/School Board, and participating in the Liturgy according to the ministry he has received. Such experience will give a different perspective to one’s seminary training. If a student is not able to fulfill this requirement during the summer, he must work in a parish setting on weekends during his third year of theology.

      Requirements for this ministry are one reflection paper and an evaluation at the end of the summer/school year. Students are to complete a profile of their diocese and of two church parishes within the diocese.

Second Theology

Fall/Spring

      Supervised catechetical ministry is selected according to the individual’s previous experience and present interests. Possibilities include: elementary or high school religious programs or parish programs for elementary, high school or adult participants (i.e., RCIA). Seminarians select a teaching site in consultation with the Assistant Director of Pastoral Field Education. On-site faculty supervision and an evaluation are required each semester. (All students are expected to fulfill this requirement in field education. Previous experience in religious education will not necessarily provide exemption. Teaching is an opportunity to articulate the knowledge gained in theological studies and to enable one’s faith stance to be more clearly defined).

Summer

FE 300           Clinical Pastoral Education (C.P.E.)

      The seminary does not offer C.P.E. programs but uses this course number to register degree credit for C.P.E. done in approved centers, upon receipt of certification from the responsible officials of the centers. The minimum requirement for the Master of Divinity and for other seminarians seeking the seminary recommendation for Holy Orders is one basic unit of C.P.E. The ordinary time for satisfying this requirement is the summer after the second year of theology. In the choice of an institution for C.P.E., the students are to obtain the approval of the Director of Pastoral Formation and Field Education.

Third Theology

Fall/Spring

PT 303           Liturgy and the Celebration of the Sacraments

HSP 303         Homiletics Practicum II

Fourth Theology

Summer/Fall/Spring

FE 400           Summer Parish Internship

FE 401           Fall Parish Internship

PT 403           Church Administration

PT 404           Global Church Workshop

PT 407           Eucharist/Penance Practicum

PT 513           Pastoral Reflections on Marriage and Family

HOUSE REGULATIONS AND SERVICE FOR STUDENTS

The Student Association

      The Student Association is the official representative organization of the student body. Its membership is comprised of all the students of Notre Dame Seminary. Through the association, which provides a forum for dialogue and policy information for all matters of student interest, the students practice self-government and promote an exchange of ideas among themselves, the faculty and the administration. The Student Association also sponsors a variety of social, athletic, cultural, charitable and informational activities and events throughout the year. The association is governed by a five-member Executive Board and the president of the Student Association serves as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Board of Trustees.

Recreation

• A hot breakfast is served from Monday through Friday at 7:00 AM.
• Continental breakfast is served. Cereal, toast, milk, etc. are also available on Saturday.
• Brunch is served on Sunday after Mass at 10:30 AM.
• Breakfast is served at 8:00 AM on class holidays and during vacation.

Lunch

• Salad bar and a full meal is served from Monday through Friday at 12:30 PM.
• Lunch is served as the main meal at 12:00 PM on Saturday.
• Lunch is not provided on Sunday but brunch served earlier. However, food is always available in the kitchen.
• The time of lunch is posted on class holidays and vacation.

Supper

• Supper is a light meal served from Sunday through Saturday at 6:00 PM.

Computer Services

      For students who do not have their own computers, a Resource Center, with computers for their use, is located in the library. This center is accessible twenty-four hours a day.

Policies for Use and Priorities

1. The Resource Center is under the immediate supervision of the Library Director.
2. Damage to the computers or malfunction should be reported at once to the Library Director.

      The internet computers in the library (for accessing catalogs at local university libraries and for consulting index material relating to various religious publications) are available for student use during regular library hours. They are under the supervision of the Library Director who will render any necessary assistance, and, if need be, determine priority of usage based on urgency and need.

      The remaining computers in the seminary are for the administrative use in the various offices (under the supervision of the appropriate administrator or secretary).

Facilities

      All maintenance requests should be directed to the Director of Facilities & Student Services and not the engineer or maintenance personnel.

Room Assignments

• Seminary: Notre Dame Seminary Graduate School of Theology, New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Student: Any person enrolled in classes at the seminary.
• Seminarian: Any student who is also a participant in the Seminary’s program of formation as a candidate for the Roman Catholic Priesthood.
• Non-Seminarian: Any student who is not a seminarian.
• Student Association: This organization, the Student Association of the Seminary.
• Member: Every student is a member of the Student Association.
• Member in Good Standing : Any student who