Advanced Ministry Formation
for Deacon Candidates and Lay Ecclesial Ministers
Diocese of Las Vegas (2008-2011)

Reading and Writing Assignments – Fall 2009

Here is a summary of the learning objectives and reading assignments for this Fall, along with questions to be answered in the written reflections after each month’s session.

All readings should be done before coming to each month’s session, if possible.  Reading selections will be taken from our main textbooks, online sources, or other books available for purchase through the Diocese of Las Vegas (or from online sources, or in your local bookstore).  References to our two textbooks will be abbreviated below:

• Martos, Joseph. Doors to the Sacred: A Historical Introduction to Sacraments in the Catholic Church. Revised & updated edition. Liguori/Triumph Press, 2001.
• The Rites of the Catholic Church: Volume One. Third edition. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1990.

Monthly written reflections should be done as soon as possible after each session (while it’s fresh in your mind), but not turned in until the following month.  Please write about one single-spaced page in response to each question listed below, for about two pages total.  Since this is not a Ph.D. program, your paper should not be too academic, but your work should be increasing in quality as we move along in our formation.  All papers should be typed, single-spaced, have 1-inch margins, and include a brief heading (name, date, and topic). You may use any word-processing program.
Please also email your completed paper as a file attachment to Fr. Felix: fjust2000@yahoo.com.

Sept. 19-20, 2009 – Presiding, esp. at Non-Eucharistic Services (Sr. Jeremy Gallet, S.P.)

Learning Objectives:

• To learn the principles and the importance of presiding well in public liturgical settings, with special attention to body language and the effective use of your voice.
• To know about the variety of Sunday and Weekday Liturgies available and approved for use in the Church.
• To be able to explain how and why the Mass is different from other non-Eucharistic services, which might or might not include the distribution of Holy Communion.

Reading Assignments:

• Martos, Doors: Chapters I – III (pages 3-76).
• The Rites, Vol. 1: “Holy Communion Outside Mass” (pages 631-658).
• Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest. Washington: USCCB, 2007. – read the “Introduction” (pages 15-65). – in PDF format: English | Espanol
• “Directory for Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest,” by the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship, June 2, 1988. – published as Appendix IV in SCAP 2007, pp. 369-401; also online at www.catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/DocumentContents/Index/2/SubIndex/11/DocumentIndex/55

Written Reflections:

1. What are some of the advantages and the drawbacks of the different forms of non-Eucharistic services, including the Liturgy of the Hours, the two forms of S.C.A.P., and other possible services (or the lack thereof)?
2. What personal qualities and abilities do you have that would naturally make you a good liturgical presider?  What are some of your own limitations or weaknesses, and what kinds of liturgical settings would be most difficult for you?   What can and will you do to continually grow and improve as a presider?

Oct. 17-18, 2009 – The Eucharist, esp. the Deacon’s Role (with Fr. Felix Just, S.J.)

Learning Objectives:

• To understand the historical importance and the centrality of the Eucharist for Catholic life and faith.
• To know the theological and practical aspects of the Deacon’s role in the liturgy of the Eucharist.
• To become thoroughly familiar with all the liturgical books used at Mass (esp. the Sacramentary).
• To be aware of how a deacon’s actions impact the participation and involvement of the baptized assembly.

Reading Assignments:

• Martos, Doors: Ch. IV “Catholic & Protestant Sacraments” (pp. 77-101) & Ch. VIII: “Eucharist” (pp. 209-274).
• “Resources on the Liturgical Role of the Deacon” (http://www.usccb.org/deacon/ministryofsacrament.shtml) – read especially “The Deacon at Mass: General Principles” (http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/girm/lit2.shtml)
  or “El Diácono en La Misa: Principios Generales” (http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/girm/lit2sp.shtml)
• “General Instruction of the Roman Missal” (GIRM, 2003 edition) – read paragraphs 1-111 quickly, and par. 112-186 & 273-287 more carefully – online at http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml (with downloadable PDF)
• The Sacramentary – study the Table of Contents and flip through the pages to become familiar with it.
• The Rites, Vol. 1: “Forms of Worship of the Eucharist” (pp. 669-698).

Written Reflections:

1. What more did you learn about the Eucharist from the assigned chapters of Martos’ book, Doors to the Sacred?
2. Reflect on your own experiences of seeing deacons assisting at Mass and/or presiding at other sacraments. Which of their qualities or practices do you wish to emulate?  What do you wish to avoid or do differently?  How did/do their actions affect the “full, conscious, and active participation” of the whole congregation?

Nov. 7-8, 2009 – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: R.C.I.A. (with Gail Gresser)

Learning Objectives:

• To comprehend the historical context & theological principles of the current Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
• To identify and explore practices for the promotion of adult faith development in those seeking initiation, as well as in the initiating community.
• To develop practical tools for evaluating and improving the practices of the RCIA in our own faith communities.

Reading Assignments:

• Martos, Doors: Chapter V: “Sacraments Today” (pp. 102-144).
• The Rites, Vol. 1: “Christian Initiation” & “Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults” (pp. 1-356!); read carefully the “General Introduction” (#1-35), the “Introduction” (#1-35), Appendix III (“National Statutes”), and Par. 75 (under the “Period of the Catechumenate”).
• Ron Lewinski. Welcoming the New Catholic. 3rd edition. Chicago: LTP, 2007.

Written Reflections:

1. The RCIA was developed primarily for unbaptized adults (those above the age of reason). However, it is also used (esp. in the USA) to help welcome into the Catholic Church baptized persons from many Protestant traditions. What are the key differences and similarities between the processes and rituals for the unbaptized, and those for the baptized?  How well (or poorly? or both?) do those reflect our theology of baptism?
2. Paragraph 9 of the “Introduction” to the RCIA (“Ministries and Offices”) emphasizes the ministry of the baptized assembly, “the People of God, as represented by the local Church.” Consider the four stages of the RCIA, and describe/explain how the assembly’s crucial ministry could best be developed, very practically, for each of them in your own parish. How might your own particular ministry foster that development?

Dec. 5-6, 2009 – Infant Baptism & Family Preparation (with Fr. Bill Kenny)

Learning Objectives:

1. To understand the history and theology of Infant Baptism as a tradition in the Roman Catholic Church; to study the differences between sprinkling, pouring, partial and full immersion; and to understand the importance of "large" symbols.
2. To understand the difference between the Rite of Infant Baptism within a Eucharistic liturgy and the Rite of Baptism outside a Eucharistic liturgy.
3. To understand the reason for and recommended contents of a Baptismal Preparation Program for parents (and godparents).

Reading Assignments:

• Martos, Doors: Chapter VI: “Baptism” (pp. 147-183)
• The Rites, Vol. 1: “Rite of Baptism for Children” (pp. 359-466)

Written Reflections:

1. Theological - What are your own thoughts about infant baptism versus the delaying of baptism until an older age? Please be concrete and detailed in your response.
2. Practical - What aspects of the Rite of Baptism best reflect the Paschal Mystery (the death and resurrection of Jesus)? How can you, as a minister of infant baptism, emphasize this mystery?
   

Check back later for further assignments for SPRING 2010

Related pages on this website:

• AMF: Main Page & Schedule Overview
• AMF: Preliminary Bibliography
• AMF: Assignments for Fall 2008
• AMF: Assignments for Spring 2009
• AMF: Preaching & Presiding Schedule

For more information, please contact: