Pastoral Theology (Grounded in Theological Reflection and Social Analysis)

OVERVIEW

Facility in using theological reflection as a process which illumines and guides one’s daily life through reflection on lived experience in light of biblical, historical, Vatican II, and contemporary ministry principles and through imaging a future for self, church and world in the light of a reign of God; and facility through social analysis at helping others to read the signs of the times, assess the needs of today’s church and world, and respond to these needs in prophetic, creative and faith-filled ways.

OBJECTIVES

Christology

1. Understanding of development sin contemporary theological reflection on the meaning of the life and ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Ecclesiology

1. Understanding developments in contemporary theological reflection on the meaning of the Church and its mission and ministry since Vatican II.

Catholic Doctrine

1. Understanding of the essential elements and richness of Catholic belief and tradition as it has developed historically and is currently expressed in Catechism of the Catholic Church and contemporary theological reflection since Vatican II.

2. Understanding of the applicability of Catholic belief and tradition to contemporary life and he experience of living as a Catholic today.

3. Ability to promote the Catholic identity of young people through all aspects of ministry and programming drawing upon the Catechism of the Catholic Church and contemporary theological reflection.

Moral Theology

1. Understanding the key concepts of Catholic morality found in Catechism of the Catholic Church, Catholic social teaching and contemporary theological reflection. CCC 1699-1948

Components

1. Ability to use the process of social analysis and theological reflection in designing and implementing justice and peace educational experiences and service programs.

220, 320, & 420 THEOLOGICAL COMPETENCIES

Knowledge

Demonstrated Skills

220.61 Appreciation of the connection between the academic disciplines and pastoral care.

- Ability to refer to theology as help to analyze

pastoral situations for an understanding of God’s

presence.

- Ability to discern where God is calling for change.

 

220.62 Familiarity with the use of theological sources to ground, interpret, and guide the activity that constitutes the pastoral life of the Church.

Ability to name appropriate theological resources useful to school life.

320.24 Understanding of Catholic doctrine and belief and its historical development

- Ability to engage in faith formation based on

Catholic doctrine.

- Ability to engage others in reflection and dialogue

on major issues related to Catholic identity and

doctrine.

320.61 Understanding of the relationship between the academic disciplines of theology and pastoral care.

Ability to describe the theological perspectives in pastoral situations and to discern where God is in present life situations and where God is calling one to change.

320.62 Appreciation of the ability of theological sources to ground, interpret and guide the pastoral life of the Church.

Ability to select and use appropriate theological sources for specific pastoral situations.

320.63 Understanding of the evolutionary nature of post-Vatican II theology’ especially as it relates to shifting paradigms.

Ability to interpret and articulate the impact of post-Vatican II ecclesiology on pastoral theology.

320.64 Familiarity with the basic principles of pastoral counseling, spirituality, the theory and practice of pastoral care and Canon Law as it relates to pastoral practice.

Ability to resource, appropriately, the practical needs of self and others.

320.65 Understanding of one’s faith development and how it relates to life.

- Ability to articulate and share one’s faith.

- Ability to design opportunities for faith

faith development appropriate to people in

different levels of growth.

320.66 Sensitivity to the complexity of current theological issues stemming from life experiences.

Ability to reflect in an interdisciplinary way, i.e., psychologically, sociologically, culturally, on theological issues.

320.67 Appreciation for the role of theological reflection in pastoral theology and ministry.

Ability to articulate a critical reflection on theology, pastoral practice and the life of the Church as all continue to evolve and develop.

420.14 Familiarity with the role and usage of Scripture in theological reflection.

Ability to incorporate Scripture effectively in programs and occasions of theological reflection on small group or parish levels.

420.26 Familiarity with methods of theological reflection which focus on Jesus Christ.

Ability to provide learning experiences which emphasize faith-sharing and reflection on the incorporation of Jesus’ message into all aspects of life.

420.31 Appreciation of the mission of the Holy Spirit in the formation, empowerment and commissioning of the early Church communities.

Ability to provide and promote reflection on the action of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of parish life.

420.43 Sensitivity in selecting appropriate pastoral responses to the needs of the school community.

- Ability to address current moral and social issues,

especially controversial ones, with an attitude of

respect.

- Ability to provide learning opportunities for

students around current moral and social issues.

420.61 Familiarity with the relationship between the academic disciplines of theology and pastoral care.

Ability to use theology to analyze pastoral situations and to discern God’s presence and challenge.

420.62 Familiarity with the use of theological sources to ground, interpret, and guide the pastoral life of the Church.

Ability to locate and to use appropriate resources to enhance the learning, faith development and leadership ability of the school community.

 

420.63 Appreciation of the evolution of post-Vatican II pastoral theology, especially in its multiple, shifting paradigms.

Ability to interpret and articulate the impact of post-Vatican II ecclesiology on development in pastoral theology.

420.64 Appreciation for the basic principles of pastoral counseling, spirituality, the theory and practice of pastoral care, and Canon Law as related to pastoral practice.

Ability to locate and use resources appropriate to the practical needs of self and others.

420.65 Understanding of the vision, history, goals, purpose and principles of total school ministry.

Ability to bring students to a vision of total school ministry.

420.66 Familiarity with current theories, models, processes and methods of school ministry.

Ability to distinguish between and use appropriate theories, models, methods in the school setting.

420.67 Familiarity with the church documents that speak to school ministry.

Ability to implement church documents in practical pastoral ways including school reflection on what these documents have to say to their lived experience.

420.68 Familiarity with the methods needed for school ministry in a multicultural church and society.

- Ability to foster sensitivity to the need to

incorporate multicultural dimensions in all school

activities.

- Ability to identify and resource the needs of

particular groups and individuals.

420.69 Appreciation for the nature and evolution of ministry throughout history.

Ability to recruit, form and support persons to more effectively live out their baptismal call to evangelize and minister.

310, 410 PERSONAL COMPETENCIES

Knowledge

Demonstrated Skills

310.11 Appreciation of one’s gifts, personality, strengths, talents, weaknesses and limitations.

Ability to do self-reflection.

310.27 Understanding of the theory and practice of faith sharing and theological reflection.

Ability to form and lead others in the dynamics of faith sharing and theological reflection.

410.11 Appreciation of one’s gifts, strengths, personality, talents and limitations.

Ability to do self-reflection.

330 PROFESSIONAL COMPETENTICES

 

 

Knowledge330.51 Understanding of the role and skills of leadership.

- Ability to establish mutuality within a group by

promoting cooperation, collaboration and team

building & personal parish ownership.

- Ability to represent the school in the community.

- Ability to make difficult decisions, to take risks, to

handle pressure.

330.54 Understanding of the theory and practice of social analysis.

Ability to use available resources to do social analysis, including the integration of the various layers of school diversity.

 

330.81 Understanding of the themes and principles of justice and peace in Scripture and in Catholic social teaching.

- Ability to integrate justice and peace themes and

principles into all aspects of one’s life and

ministry.

- Ability to participate in local issues, i.e.

homelessness, poverty, unemployment, domestic

violence, etc.

- Ability to model through personal and professional

arenas the interconnectedness of the whole planet.

- Ability to situate study, reflection, decision-

making, reflection in the context of responsibility

to one world, one people.

- Ability to model and encourage simple living and

environmental values such as recycling.

510 PERSONAL STANDARDS

Understanding of

Ability to

510.01 One’s gifts, personality, strengths, talents, weaknesses and limitations and how they impact one's ministry.

Engage in self-reflection and assess one’s abilities accurately.

510.05 The need for an integrated spirituality based on prayer, reflection and liturgical participation grounded in the ecclesiology of Vatican II.

Participate in ongoing spiritual formation, e.g., prayer retreats, spiritual direction, community worship.

520 THEOLOGICAL STANDARDS

Understanding of

Ability to

520.05 The role of the Spirit in our Church and in our world.

Reflect upon and explain the movement of the Spirit in persons, the school and in the larger Church and world communities.

520.07 The use of theological sources to ground, interpret, and guide the activity that constitutes the pastoral dimension of the life of the Church.

Interpret the meaning and value of pastoral situations in light of theology and to enable people to share these meanings and to integrate them more consciously in their lives.

520.08 The complexity of current theological issues arising from life experiences.

Reflect on and integrate a variety of the social disciplines in the analysis of theological issues.

520.12 The use of Scripture in theological reflection.

Provide Scripture-based faith sharing opportunities for adult leaders, catechists, committee members and parents.

520.20 The elements of theological reflection.

Guide catechetical leaders, believers, catechists and committee members through the steps of theological reflection.

532.4021 The sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church relating to personal Christian morality, social justice and responsibility for living in community.

Provide catechists with learning opportunities and personal guidance in becoming familiar with the Church’s social teaching in the Catechism of the Catholic Church/

532 CATECHETICAL STANDARDS – MEAINING OF CATECHESIS

            Motivating to Christian Living and Service

Understanding of

Ability to

532.4022

Incorporate service opportunities, and reflection on these experiences, in catechetical programs for adults, adolescents and children.