CIC: Ecumenism

Summer Season 2010

To print PDF format brochures for our programs, click here

Programs for Spiritual Growth: The Catholic Information Center offers a variety of opportunities for learning and spiritual growth during the Summer Season. All interested persons (from any religious background) are welcome to participate. There is no registration fee, but we do request a donation of $5.00 per class from those who are able to contribute.

Registration Options: Email us at register@catholicinformationcenter.org. Please include the name and time of the class, your name, address, phone number and preferred email address.

Call us at 459-7267, ext 1803

For more information, please call the Catholic Information Center office at 459-7267, ext. 1801 or visit our website at www.catholicinformationcenter.org.

Parking: Free, secure parking is always available for those who attend our classes. Please park in the lower level of the Cathedral Square Parking Ramp, entering from Wealthy Street, just east of Division Avenue. (Handicap parking is available in the ramp and also in the front parking lot facing Division Ave)

Classes in Spanish: The CIC has recently begun offering some courses in Spanish. These course descriptions will be listed in Spanish, within the context of this brochure. We will also publish a separate flier, entirely in Spanish, listing only those courses which will be taught in Spanish. If you are able to read this in English and know someone who might benefit from our offerings in Spanish, please let them know about this new endeavor. If you would like copies of our “Spanish only” fliers, please let us know.

Clases en Español: Los cursos que ofrecemos en español están descritos en dicho idioma a lo largo de este folleto. Publicamos también un volante separado, totalmente en español, con la lista de los cursos mencionados. Si usted conoce a alguien que se puede beneficiar con dichos cursos, por favor compártale esta información. Comuníquese con nosotros para obtener los volantes o búsquelos en su respectiva parroquia.

Note to Catechists: Did you know that Catholic Information Center courses may be taken for credit toward Catechist Certification for the Diocese of Grand Rapids? The content dimension for which a course qualifies will be listed at the end of each description as follows:

CFD = Catechist Formation Dimension
CFD: Catechist = Catechist as a Person of Faith/Spirituality of the Catechist
CFD: Learner = Understanding the Person Being Catechized/The Learner
CFD: Method = Context and Process of Catechesis/Method
CFD: Content = Message or Content of Catechesis

Nota para Catequistas: Sabía usted que las clases que ofrece el Centro de Información Católica son aceptadas por la Diócesis de Grand Rapids para la Certificación del Catequista? La dimensión de contenido a la que pertenece cada clase aparecerá al final de la descripción de la misma y en el siguiente orden:

CFD = Dimensión Formación del Catequista
CFD: Catequista = El Catequista como persona de Fe/Espiritualidad del Catequista
CFD: Estudiante = Entender a la persona catequizada/El Estudiante
CFD: Método = Contexto y Proceso de la Catequesis/Método
CFD: Contenido = Mensaje o Contenido de la Catequesis

Catholicism for the Curious

Mondays, June 7, 14 and 21, 10:00am – 11:30am or 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Presented by Fr. Tom Tavella, CSP

These three sessions will offer a brief, user-friendly introduction to the Catholic Church, its practices and beliefs.

The Structure of the Church
The Sacraments of the Church
The Beliefs of the Church (at least some of them.)

CFD: Content

La Eucaristía: Sacramento de piedad, signo de unidad, y vínculo de amor

Martes, junio 8 y 15, 10:00am-11:30am o 7:00pm-8:30pm

Presentado por René Constanza, CSP

El curso sobre la Eucaristía se basará en las Escrituras, específicamente Juan 6 y Lucas 22,14-23. Se tratarán los temas de la Eucaristía en la economía de la salvación y el Sacrificio Sacramental: acción de gracias, memorial y presencia.

6/8 Multiplicación de los panes y discurso sobre el pan de vida
6/15 La Cena Pascual

CFD: Contenido

Importante: La invitación para todos los temas va dirigida solo a personas adultas. No podemos proveer cuidado de niños durante las clases. No hay costo de inscripción pero sugerimos una donación mínima de $5.00 por participante.

A Catholic Introduction to the Bible

Tuesdays, June 8, 15 and 22, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Presented by Fr. John Kenny, CSP

This three session course serves as Scripture 101 for those unfamiliar with or unskilled in reading the Bible.

· 6/8 Basic Principles -- Including revelation, authorship, inspiration, inerrancy, formation of the canon (what books are included), translations

· 6/15 Types of Interpretation --Such as literal, figurative, allegorical and spiritual as well as German higher criticism and the historical-critical method

· 6/22 Sticky Issues -- Catholic changes, creationism, fundamentalism, subordination of women, inclusive language translations

CFD: Content

Sanar Nuestra Imagen de Dios

jueves, junio 10, 10:00am–11:30am o 7:00pm–8:30pm

Presentado por Padre Joaquín Lally, CSP

Lamentablemente mucha gente tiene una imagen de Dios como de un juez, un castigador....en vez de un Dios que nos ama y no está esperando para castigarnos como imaginamos. Vamos a explorar juntos lo que dice la Biblia sobre la revelación del verdadero Dios. CFD: Catequista

Transformation Soup: Healing for the Splendidly Imperfect Tuesday, June 15, 10:00am – 11:30am or Wednesday, June 16

7:00pm – 8:30pm

Presented by Fr. Tom Tavella, CSP

Life is a matter of healing. We all do it but sometimes not so well. In this class, Fr. Tom invites us to hold hands and explore together what splendidly imperfect healing is all about. Based on the book of the same name by Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy (SARK) we will look at the wonderful, warm, and slightly terrifying side of healing. As SARK says: “remember: we’re all swirling in the soup together.” CFD: Catechist

A Note about Programs on the History of the Diocese of Grand Rapids - The CIC offers a diverse array of Church History courses. Some of them explore historical events and eras, while others spotlight individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to the life and work of the Church through the witness of their faithful, holy and exemplary lives. In the past year we have especially enjoyed adding some courses that tell the story of our own diocese. These courses, such as Where the Star Came to Rest and Our Priests Share their Stories have been so well received that we have decided to make our local history an ongoing feature of CIC programming. Over the next several years we look forward to learning about the many communities of women religious who have served us so faithfully over time, beginning with the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters. Down the road, we plan to share the stories of our permanent deacons, third order religious/associates and explore the amazing and unexpected emergence of Lay Ecclesial Ministry along with the stories of some of our local lay leaders. We will also offer programs on the history of our Catholic schools, health care, social service ministries, the influence of immigration and ethnicity in the development of parishes, etc. Stay tuned.

Our Priests Share Their Stories

Thursday, June 17, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

In this Year of the Priest we have hosted several evenings during which a few of our local presbyters told a bit about their calling to and experience of priestly life. Each evening featured speakers from a variety of life experiences. This final session will feature:

From Afar Fr. Lam T. Le, Pastor, St. Paul Campus Parish, Big Rapids
Made to Order Fr. Dennis Ryan, CSsR, Pastor, St. Alphonsus, Grand Rapids
Newbie Fr. Mark E. Peacock, Pastor, St. Patrick, Parnell
In His Prime Fr. Charles D. Brown, Pastor, St. Francis de Sales, Holland
The Well Seasoned Fr. Melvin E. Fox, Retired

CFD: Content

The Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters and their Family Tree Mondays, July 12, 19, 26 and August 2, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Presented by Sisters Mary Kay Oosdyke, OP and Diane Zerfas, OP

This four session course will outline the founding of the Order of Preachers and their expansion into the worldwide Dominican family, focusing most specifically on the branch of this family that eventually wound up on East Fulton Street in Grand Rapids!

· 7/12 Roots -The Dominican family’s founding and expansion to include priests, nuns, sisters, brothers and laity; a bit about the life and legacy of Sts. Dominic de Guzman, Catherine of Siena and Thomas of Aquinas (13^th – 19^th c)

· 7/19 Branches -Four sisters travel from Regensberg to New York to teach German immigrants, more sisters move to Michigan, eventually coming to Grand Rapids to administer St. John’s Home for orphans (1853-1895)

· 7/26 Nesting - Sisters establish the Grand Rapids based Congregation of the Sacred Heart, found Sacred Heart Academy, (to be renamed Marywood) and establish Aquinas College (1896 and beyond)

· 8/2 Bearing Fruit -The Grand Rapids Dominican story continues - ministries in education, health care, parish work and social justice, as well as the lives and witness of several individual sisters

CFD: Content

Entendiendo Las Escrituras Difíciles

Jueves, junio 17, 10:00am–11:30am o 7:00pm–8:30pm

Presentado por Padre Joaquín Lally, CSP

A veces encontramos pasajes bíblicos que son difíciles de entender. Por ejemplo: Mateo 25:31-46 -"el juicio final", algunos referentes las mujeres o a la sexualidad, difícil también es: Mateo 5:48: "Que sean perfectos". Vamos a mirar cuidadosamente estos textos y a compararlos con otras citas bíblicas." CFD: Contenido

Dios en la Danza de la Vida: Oración, Espiritualidad y Creación

Viernes, junio 18, julio 16 y agosto 20, 9:00 – 11:00am o lunes, junio 21, julio 19 y agosto 23, 6:00 – 8:00pm

Presentado por Zulema Moret

Encuentros a partir de la oración, de acuerdo con lo que cada mes trae consigo. Un proceso creativo acompañará la reflexión del grupo de participantes. Vamos a tomar como punto de partida el libro de Joyce Rupp, quien desde la “Introducción” nos invita a hacer que cada mes ‘la vida de Dios baile en cada uno de nosotros, en los espacios de silencio que podamos encontrar en nuestras ocupadas vidas’. (Una reunión mensual, de enero a diciembre 2010)

CFD: Catequista

Divorce Support Group

Wednesdays, June 23-August 25, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Facilitated by Jim Kline

This ten week series is offered for all who are divorced or in the process of becoming divorced. Led by those who have gone through the process themselves, it is a great pathway to personal growth in your life. The book, Divorce and Beyond, by Greteman, Haverkamp and Radtke, will be used as a guide and is included in the series cost of $15.

Making Room: Not Only at the Inn

Tuesday, June 29, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Presented by Lori Fedewa

When thinking about homelessness, many people imagine a man or woman living on the street or a family moving from shelter to shelter. A common and less visible struggle is the fight to avoid homelessness. Because of a lack of affordable housing in our community, many families are forced to make unrealistic choices between paying the rent, keeping the gas on, or buying groceries. As people of faith, we long to help, but often feel overwhelmed and wonder what we can do. This is certainly how St. Thomas the Apostle parishioner, Lori Fedewa felt. In this presentation, Lori will share the story of how she and her parish’s social justice advocacy group got involved with some of the wonderful initiatives that people in the Grand Rapids community are engaging in to help the homeless as well as the precariously housed. Now, as the Coordinator of the GRACE Congregational Partnership Program with the Coalition to End Homelessness, she can also help you learn how to get involved, too! CFD: Content

US Catholic Church History

Wednesdays, June 30, July 7 and 14, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Presented by Jaymie Perry

Catholics have been a fundamental part of American History from the first explorers to modern day. Although Catholics are currently the single largest religious denomination in the US, much of our history is not widely known. So join us for a Catholic tour of American history, you may be surprised at the parts of our story you missed in history class.

History Teachers’ Bonus: Want to walk into your room this fall toting Catholic History on your hard drive? Bring a thumb drive along to receive materials and methods. CFD: Content or Methods

Las Mujeres en la Biblia

miércoles, julio 7, 14, 21 y 28, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Presentado por William Cardona Arias

Desde una perspectiva feminista, analizaremos el papel protagónico que jugaron las mujeres en el plan de salvación. Tomaremos como base el Antiguo y el Nuevo Testamento para resaltar el acompañamiento, el profetismo, el discipulado y el testimonio que las mujeres asumieron y llevaron a cabo tanto en la Antigua Alianza como en el Proyecto de Jesús. CFD: Contenido

Jesus Today this Summer

Thursdays, July 22, 29, August 5 and 12 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Facilitated by Mary Vaccaro

Members of the Jesus Today Study Group (begun in January 2010) have decided that four meetings simply did not provide enough time to explore the profoundly practical Jesus Today, by Fr. Albert Nolan, O.P. So we will meet four more times this summer for prayer, study and discussion, focusing most specifically on the themes from Chapters 8-17. The group is open to new participants; however, it would be most helpful for all to have read Chapters 1-7. Our discussion of the rest of the book is outlined as follows:

7/22 --Ch 8-12 Personal Transformation: Silence, Solitude, Self Knowledge/Awareness, Gratitude, Becoming as “Little Child” and Letting Go)
7/29 --Ch 8-12 (cont.)
8/5 --Ch 13-17 Jesus and the Experience of Oneness (with self, others, God, the universe and a spirituality of radical freedom)
8/12 --Ch 13-17 (cont.)

Jesus Today is available for purchase (at a 20% discount) at the CIC and at all Schuler Books locations (in the Book Club Section.) CFD: Catechist

The Name of Jesus

Tuesday August 10, 10:00am – 11:30am or 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Presented by Molly Keating and Toni VanDyken

Christian tradition has always offered the name of Jesus as the simplest prayer. And yet, when we speak his name, what do we mean? Jesus once asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” How would you answer this question? He invited his disciples to follow him. Would you? This session will help us to explore the ways in which we come to know and follow Jesus. How do the scriptures portray him? How do we recognize him in the sacraments, in the faces of others and in our own reflection? How do we come to know him in our personal prayer? CFD: Catechist

Integración de Cuerpo y Espíritu

Martes, agosto 10, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Presentado por Claudio Samper

El objetivo del taller es articular y equilibrar la espiritualidad del cuerpo como espacio de encuentro en el Camino de Emaús. Nos ocuparemos en compartir sobre el papel fundamental que juegan: alimentación, oración, meditación y disposición mental en nuestra jornada de fe. CFD: Catechist

"On The Road" Faith Formation for Parishes

During this year and into the new year to come, our staff is pleased to continue our popular "Adult Faith Formation Offerings For Your Parish."

Please follow the link at the top of this page to learn more about this program and to download our 2009-2010 "On The Road" brochure.