Saint Barnaba Pastoral Training Center

Now Offering

A Theology Course

of Christian Formation


COURSE DIRECTORS


St. Barnabas Pastoral Education and Training Center

Grand Chancellor: H.B. Pierbattista Card. Pizzaballa

President: H. ExcellencyMsgr. Bruno Varriano

Prefect of Studies: Fr. Rogério Alves Gomes

Secretary General: Sr. Ramona Cordos

Secretary Officer: Ms. Cheryl Wolner

Finance Department: Ms. Josephine Yamaki

Course Description 

Course content is based on Catholic ecclesiology as detailed in documents of the Second Vatican Council, and as demonstrated by the actions, writings, and teachings of Pope Francis. The goal of this course is to prepare a broad demographic of people who understand, develop, and practice the principles embodied in these documents, as they give courageous Christian witness.

Instructional Objectives

  Students will learn and demonstrate their ability to:

  • seize the opportunity to live a life of faith more extensively in their local Church.
  • recognize that the study and understanding of theology is not reserved for a few but reflects the spiritual journey of all believers.
  • project a Christian face – a face that is enthusiastic about sharing the Faith with kindness and love.
  • deepen one’s personal faith, and relationship with God.
  • understand basic biblical and theological truths.
  • practice pastoral skills and to provide pastoral care.
  • encourage and enhance spiritual and vocational formation.
  • understand and appreciate the seriousness of Christian thought.
  • stimulate ecclesial co-responsibility and social commitment.

Course Instructors

  • Bishops, priests, religious
  • Active lay ministers of the Church in Cyprus
  • Professors and alumni of the Studio Biblicum Franciscanum of Jerusalem
  • Invited professors with advanced study in specific areas

Course Requirements

The course will run for a three-year period. Each academic year will consist of 10 in-person   sessions, and 30 virtual sessions for a total of 112 hours of training. All training will take place on Saturdays or Sundays. To facilitate the participation of priests, religious and laity, in-person meetings will take place from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Virtual sessions will use the Zoom platform and run for approximately one hour. Training will also include homework assignments and related meetings. Over the three-year period, students will receive a total of 224 hours of training.

Evaluations will take place at the end of each month and may include written assignments or oral interviews. Students will be graded on their ability to synthesize the information presented during the course, and to demonstrate the skills acquired.

For-credit students who successfully complete the full course will be given a certificate. The certificate of examinations granted will be valid for participation in higher academic ecclesiastical studies.

Age: 18+ Proficiency in English at the B2 level, C1 preferred.

Academic Year 1 (2025)

The academic year will begin with an orientation on December 15, 2024. Classes will start on Saturday, January 11, 2025. Classes will be held from January to June, and from September to December. No classes are scheduled for July and August. All training will take place on Saturdays or Sundays.

Registration

  • Fee: A contribution per academic year will be according to each person’s ability to pay.
    • Please note: the course fee must be paid directedly by bank transfer before the       first class.
  • Students may choose to audit the course with no obligation to take examinations.
  • Registration will close on Sunday, November 24, 2024.
  • Registration can be submitted via email, or in-person at your parish office.
  • Please include the following information in your registration:
    • Your full name
    • Your street address, telephone number, and email address
    • Indicate whether you will be a for-credit student, or if you are auditing only
    • Please indicate whether you prefer Saturdays or Sundays

Course Outline

Academic Year 1

God’s Dialogue with Man

I SEMESTER

1. Sacred Scripture: The Alphabet of God

  • The contexts of the Bible: Introduction to the Old Testament
  • The contexts of the Bible: Introduction to the New Testament
  • The contexts of the Bible: The Synoptic Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles

2. The Life of Faith: The Joy of Believing, Celebrating, Living and Praying

  • What we believe
  • The celebration of the Christian mystery
  • Life in Christ
  • Christian prayer

II SEMESTER

1. Man thinks but God directs

  • That phenomenon of religion
  • Person, dialogue, relationship
  • Fundamental Theology

2. God creates man to dialogue with Him

  • Christian Revelation
  • Mary’s ‘Yes’ in the dynamic of Salvation

Academic Year 2

Jesus Christ, Word of God for us

I SEMESTER

1. The Gospel that is Jesus

     (Synoptics and John)

  • Jesus Christ the Son of God
  • Jesus the Logos the revealer of the Father

2. Jesus Christ the God-Man

     (Fundamental Christology)

  • The names of Jesus
  • The faith of Jesus

II SEMESTER

1. The apostolic testimony about Jesus

     (Paul and the letters)

  • St. Paul – Apostle of Nations
  • Apostolic communities

2. The Life of Jesus and the God-Trinity

     (Trinitarian)

  • In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
  • Love, Lover, Beloved

Academic Year 3

The City of God and the Villages of Men

I SEMESTER

1. Christian humanism

     (The person in relationship, family and sexuality)

  • The Theology of the Body
  • The Family: Place of identity and relationship

2. Human society

     (Social Morals)

  • Church and society
  • Solidarity and participation

II SEMESTER

1. Sacraments celebrated and experienced

     (Sacraments)

  • Celebrating Christ and life in Him
  • The signs of grace

2. God’s people

     (Ecclesiology)

  • A people on the way
  • One body with many members