Syllabus - Spring 2009 
12:413 Introduction to the Sacraments

Spring 2009 Weekend Course -- Three Credit Hours
Jan 24-25, Feb 21-22, March 28-29
Saint Meinrad School of Theology
Rev. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M., S.T.D,
Professor of Sacramental / Liturgical Theology

Note:   If you have opened this syllabus a few days ago, I suggest that you click the "refresh" button at the top of your web browser so that you are sure that you are reading the most current version of this syllabus.

Course Description

This course is a survey of the history, theology, and liturgical celebration of the seven Roman Catholic sacraments.

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Required Reading

The Rites of the Catholic Church.  Volume 1. Revised Edition.  New York: Pueblo, 1990.  ISBN:  0-8146-6015-0. 515 pp.  $14.50.

Joseph Martos.   Doors to the Sacred: A Historical Introduction to the Sacraments in the Catholic Church.  Revised and updated edition.  Liguori MO: Liguori/Triumph.  2001.  ISBN 0-76480718-8.  $21.95.

Thomas Richstatter.  The Sacraments  (12, 25 minute talks on 3 CD's.  2008)  Available from www.NowYouKnowMedia.com   $29.98

Kathleen Hughes.  A Mystagogy of Sacrament:  Saying Amen.  Liturgy Training Publications, 1999.  ISBN:  1-56854-239-9.  $17.00

Recommended Reading:

Thomas Richstatter. The Sacraments: How Catholics Pray. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1995.  ISBN: 0-86716-176-0.   $8.95

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Course Outcomes

Introduction to liturgical theology
Introduction to sacramental theology
A survey of the history and theology of each of the seven sacraments
The current rites for celebrating each of the seven sacraments

The course prepares one to:

Catechize about the sacraments
Prepare children and adults for the first celebration of the sacraments
Prepare and plan sacramental celebrations
Develop a sacramental spirituality

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Course Method

1.  Even though the class will meet face-to-face on three weekends, the majority of the learning activities will be accomplished at home and on-line.  Participants in this course are expected to have:  a personal computer or access to a computer; the ability to access websites and download and print files; the ability to send and receive e-mail; and the ability to post essays and enter into discussion on ANGEL.

2.  In this syllabus assignments are given for most Sundays and Thursdays during the course.  The written assignments are to be posted on ANGEL by midnight on the assigned date. 

3. The assignments are of unequal length.  I suggest that you read the entire syllabus and make a schedule for yourself which accommodates your own working and living context. 

4. I strongly encourage you to read the postings of the other participants and to reply to them, adding your own insights and pastoral experience.  To this end I have used the ANGEL Discussion Forums rather than Drop Boxes for your assignments.  

Evaluation and Grading

1.  This is a graduate seminar.  It is presumed that each of the participants is an adult learner and will take responsibility for reading and studying the texts, posting the required assignments, and participating in the class discussions, etc. 

2.  The ten written assignments each count for 10% of the course grade.  They can be posted at any time during the course as long as they are posted before midnight on the day given below in this syllabus.  Late postings:  5 points will be deducted from the grade for each day past the deadline a late assignment is posted. 

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Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Weekend 1:  January 24-25

Saturday, January 24
11:55 Class -- Part One:  Introduction
11.  Video:  The Fishing Trip.   Discussion:  What does the video say about "sacraments"?
12.  Introductions:  Who are we?  Orientation to my website www.tomrichstatter.org and the course syllabus
13.  d11 General Introduction to All of the Courses I Teach 
14.  Four Preliminary Metaphors   Four Treasurers in the Attic
Noon -- Lunch
1:00 - 4:30 Class -- Part Two:  Sacraments in General
21. Four Treasurers (cont.)
22.  Introduction to the Sacraments 
23.  Ten finger History Grid 
24.  Discussion:  How can we see what lies under the iceberg?
25.  Mediator Dei; Paenitemini:  discursive and dispositive law.
4:30 End

Sunday, January 25
8:00 - 10:15 Class -- Part Three:  Initiation:  Baptism/Confirmation/Eucharist
31.   Praying the Eucharistic Prayer  Discussion:  Eucharistic Prayer III
10:30 - 11:30 -- Mass
Noon -- Lunch
1:00 - 4:30 Class -- Part Four:  Initiation:  Baptism/Confirmation/Eucharist
41.  Presentation of the assignments for the coming month
42.  Discussion:  Eucharistic Prayer II
43.  Sacraments of Initiation
44.  Video:  Water -- Metaphors for Baptism   Baptism and Lent
45.  Confirmation of Adults and Children  Video:  Teaching segment from CUV "Sacrament of Conformation"  V 2023 (7 minutes)  Confirmation of Catholics baptized in infancy
46.  4 components and 4 stages of the RCIA. 
47.  Video:  Music / Prayer "It's a Long Walk"
4:30 End

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Online ANGEL Postings and Discussions

Friday, January 30   Assignment 1  SACRAMENT    In an essay (of between 800 and 1200 words) define “sacrament” and defend your definition showing its richness theologically and its usefulness pastorally and catechetically

Monday, February 2  Read The Rites pp vii-516; Martos, pp ix-267; Stasiak, pp1-71 (Richstatter, 1-72).

Friday, February 6  Assignment 2  RCIA   Imagine that you are responsible for the welcome and formation of converts in a specific Roman Catholic parish.  Briefly describe the parish and then list (with specific dates) the various activities, lectures, liturgies, etc. you would schedule for the RCIA from Inquiry through Mystagogia.  

Monday, February 9   Assignment 3  INFANT BAPTISM    In an essay (of between 800 and 1200 words) explain why Roman Catholics baptize infants. 

Friday, February 13  Assignment 4  CONFIRMATION In an essay (of between 800 and 1200 words) explain the theology of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Monday, February 16  Assignment 5   INITIATION   In an essay (of between 800 and 1200 words) explain the proper order for the reception of the sacraments of initiation including the history of this complex issue and explain how Eucharist is the culmination of Initiation. 

Friday, February 20    Read The Rites pp 517-1118; Martos pp 268-459; Stasiak pp 72-148; (Richstatter pp 73-135).

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Weekend 2:  February 21-22

Saturday, February 21  8:30 Class  Group discussion of the first five assignments.  Each participant will present two of their postings in a small group setting for evaluation and discussion.  Select your "best" two postings (those you were most happy with) and bring 3 hard copies (print copies) to class on May 19.  

8:30  Select two other participants and present one of your papers (give them the hard copies to follow along).  In about 5 minutes present your essay;  discuss 5-8 minutes; fill out the "Essay Discussion Form" and the "Essay Reflection Form."

8:45 Repeat the above process with a different person presenting their paper.

9:00 Repeat a third time with the third person presenting their paper

9:15 Full group discussion  [ My reflections after having read your postings can be found on my website at:  Sacrament,  RCIA,  Infant Baptism, Confirmation,  and Initiation ]

9:45 break

10:00 Video: This is the Night LTP ISBN# 0-929650-87-5 (30 min)

10:45 break

11:00  Second Round of Discussions:  Select two other participants and present one of your papers (give them the hard copies to follow along).  In about 5 minutes present your essay;  discuss 5-8 minutes; fill out the "Essay Discussion Form" and the "Essay Reflection Form."

11:15  Repeat the above process with a different person presenting their paper.

11:30 Repeat a third time with the third person presenting their paper

11:45 Formation  working groups for assignments 6-10.  There have been some very good discussions on the assigned postings; however I find it regrettable that suggestions and insights for improvement take place after the assignment has been posted and graded and consequently the author does not have the opportunity to be evaluated on what he/she has learned from this collaboration.   To attempt to improve this situation, I am presenting an option for doing assignments 6, 7, 8, and 9 in groups of (3 or) 4 and posting one group project;  the posting will be graded and that grade will be given to each member of the group.  This will allow you the opportunity to profit from one another's expertise before posting the assignment to be graded.  Time will be given on Saturday May 19 for the formation of working teams and time will be given on Sunday May 20 to begin collaboration on the next four projects and to ask me any questions about the material or process while we are in the face-to-face classroom context.

Noon -- Lunch
1:00 Class  History of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Video:  Story Segment from: The Church Celebrates the Reconciling God, Catholic Update Video, St. Anthony Messenger Press, Order #: V2001   (23 Minutes) Discussion.  Presentation of the Rite.  Discussion of assignment #6 Tips for composing this assignment can be found on my website at Chapter r70 and at Chapter r40

2:00 Survey on Sacrament of Reconciliation

2:30 Break

3:00  Video:  Sacrament of Anointing, The Church's Prayer for the Sick, St. Anthony Messenger Press, Order #: V2093.   (17 minutes)  Discussion.  Presentation of the Rite.  Discussion of assignment #7  The Mystery of Suffering.  Review of the history of the sacrament during period 9 and period 10.    Tips for planning communal celebrations of anointing

4:00 Working Teams gather to discuss strategies for accomplishing Assignments 6 & 7

4:30 End

Sunday, February 22  8:00 to 9:15 Class --
8:00  Video:  "Pardon and Peace ... Remembered"  Story Segment from: The God Who Reconciles, Catholic Update Video, St. Anthony Messenger Press, Order #: V2001   (15 Minutes)  Summary of the Reconciliation Survey.  Discussion

9:30 - 10:30 -- Mass
10:45 to 11:45 Class  The Sacrament of Holy Orders.  Power Point: Changes in the Sacrament of Holy Orders  History.  Rituals.  Theology.  Reflection on "ministry" and this morning's Eucharist.

Noon -- Lunch -- 1:00 Class Introduction to the Sacrament of Marriage    Video: Planning Your Wedding Liturgy, St. Anthony Messenger Press, Order #: V2080  (20 Minutes)  Presentation of the Ritual.  History. 

2:00  Break

2:15 Power Point:  Marriage Reveals "Who God Is" 

3:00 Working Teams gather to discuss strategies for accomplishing Assignments 8 & 9

3:15 Break

3:30 Discussion of the text books:  and any other text about which you might have questions or comments.  Discussion of the "Under the Surface" part of the iceberg we each bring to this course.  Infant Baptism in the light of developments in Original Sin and Limbo.  Solutions to the "Confirmation Problem."  Any other questions?

4:30 End

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Online ANGEL Postings and Discussions

Friday, February 27  Assignment  6  RECONCILIATION   Plan a celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Rite II) for a specific parish on a specific date.  Submit 1) a description of the parish and your celebration; 2) the worship aid you provide for the participants; and 3) the ministers’ script with the text of the readings, prayers, hymns and homily.  Tips for composing this assignment can be found on my website at Chapter r70 and at Chapter r40 (The option is given for doing this assignment in groups of 3 or 4 and posting one group project; the posting will be graded and that grade will be given to each member of the group.)

Monday, March 2  Assignment  7  ANOINTING   Plan a celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick during Sunday Eucharist for a specific parish on a specific date.  Submit 1) a description of the parish and your celebration; 2) the worship aid you provide for the participants; and 3) the ministers’ script with the text of the readings, prayers, hymns and homily. Tips for planning communal celebrations of anointing can by found by clicking the link.   (The option is given for doing this assignment in groups of 3 or 4 and posting one group project; the posting will be graded and that grade will be given to each member of the group.)

Friday, March 6  Assignment  8   MARRIAGE  In an essay (of less than 1000) explain the difference between a marriage that is a sacrament and a marriage that is not a sacrament. (The option is given for doing this assignment in groups of 3 or 4 and posting one group project; the posting will be graded and that grade will be given to each member of the group.)

Monday, March 8  Assignment 9  MINISTRY   In an essay (of less than 1000 words) suggest a solution to the current priest crisis taking into account the history and theology of the sacrament of Orders.  (The option is given for doing this assignment in groups of 3 or 4 and posting one group project; the posting will be graded and that grade will be given to each member of the group.)

Friday, March 13   Assignment 10  CONCLUSION.   In an essay (of between 800 and 1200 words) or an equivalent PowerPoint presentation present your concluding thoughts at the end of the course.  You may select one specific issue that you find important; you may select something that happened to you during the course; you may present a pastoral problem, etc.  but whatever you choose it should give evidence of the progress you have made in understanding sacramental theology during this course and should be important and interesting to the other participants in the course.  Each participant will present this tenth assignment to the class during weekend of June 16-17.  The grade will be be given on the written work, the class presentation, and the pursuant discussion.