Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
April 24, 2002
Archdiocese to sponsor master's in theology program this fall
Degree program to be offered in Denver through Michigan university
By Roxanne King
The Archdiocese of Denver will sponsor a master's degree in theological studies program this fall at the John Paul II Center. Those interested in finding out about the program are invited to an informational meeting 7 p.m. May 2 at Bonfils Hall on the John Paul II Center campus.
The graduate program will be offered through the Institute for Pastoral Theology at Ave Maria University in Ypsilanti, Mich., organizers said. Designed for working adults, the program is geared toward lay people preparing for or already working in ministries and services of the Church such as religious education, catechesis, marriage and family life, youth ministry and liturgy.
"The degree itself will be a master of theological studies granted through the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Ave Maria University," said Bill Janicki, director of the archdiocesan Catechetical School, which is co-sponsoring the program with the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. "We are hosting the program here, but it is not an archdiocesan program. It is approved, will be recognized and is being promoted by the Archdiocese of Denver."
At the meeting, Doug Bushman, director of the Institute for Pastoral Theology at Ave Maria, will explain the program and answer questions. He will give a sample of the teaching students will encounter and will present a talk titled "John Paul II on Faith and Evangelization."
"The graduate program does use contemporary Church teachings," Janicki said. "It uses a number of the writings of John Paul II. He has proclaimed this as a time of new evangelization and that topic is very appropriate to the program."
Classes meet once a month, from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, during the traditional school year — August through May — in the intensive program. The format enables working students to pursue a degree that fits into their regular work and family life schedule. Taking a full load of six credits per semester, a student can complete the program in three years.
"Just one year of the three-year cycle is being offered at this time," Janicki said. "Then we will re-evaluate. We want to see how well the format works here."
The program would fill a void that has existed since St. Thomas Seminary closed, Janicki said.
"There's not a Catholic master's of theological studies offered in Denver right now," he said.
Many have asked for such a program, said Marco Roman, secretary for Evangelization and Catechesis, adding that the archdiocese believes the Ave Maria institute program is among the finest.
"It's competency and quality make it one of the best," Roman said. "Even if in the future we offer something at our seminary, and we have an excellent seminary, this program is on the same level."
A graduate of the program, Joe Burns, metro-area director of Evangelization and Catechesis, who earned the degree when it was offered through the University of Dallas, agreed.
"I can't say enough good things about it," said Burns, who is a pilot and retired Air Force major. "It's very challenging, but also very, very rewarding. It's the best training I have and I have four degrees, including a doctorate. The master's of theology I have is definitely the best training. All the faculty are people of deep faith and sterling academic credentials. They offer what we need to be well-formed in the faith."
Tuition cost is $440 per credit hour, plus fees. Upon acceptance, full-load students are eligible for a scholarship of one-third tuition. For more information, call Ave Maria toll free at 1-866-866-1100 or visit online www.ipt.avemaria.edu. For information about the meeting, call the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis at 303-715-3144.
The John Paul II Center is at 1300 S. Steele St., Denver. Bonfils Hall is at the far east end of the campus.
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