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Foundation Degree in Pastoral Mission
Topic Started: Wednesday, 3. June 2009, 13:39 (223 Views)
Rose of York
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Link - Heythrop College

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Foundation Degree in Pastoral Mission
This Foundation Degree in Pastoral Mission can be studied over two years full-time or four years part-time.

It has been designed in collaboration with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster to train lay people who work, either in a voluntary capacity for example in their parish, or who are in paid employment in the Church. Although designed to meet the needs of Westminster, it is open to lay people from other dioceses.

Its aim is to give adults who want to serve the Church the resources and skills they need in order to make a difference. The programme provides them with learning opportunities to integrate Christian teaching in relation to their ministries in the parish, to foster reflective practice on their experience and to develop pastoral skills of service to the Church. It includes placement/work based learning and fosters theological study related to the needs and demands of lay parish ministry.

A key element of the programme is work-based learning that brings together theory and practice, so that the theology studied might have direct practical benefits in how the person conducts his/her ministry. It is designed so that those who have work commitments are able to undertake the study: the degree will make use of Saturday teaching, workbased mentoring and reflective practice, and e-learning opportunities.

Successful completion of the Foundation Degree will enable students to enter the final year of a Heythrop BA in Theology.

WHO IS THE FDPM FOR?

The FDPM is for the formation of lay people for pastorally supported leadership roles in the local church. It provides a solid foundation in Catholic theology applied to the actual work situation. As this programme is built on work-based learning students will be already active in their parishes or places of work.


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WORK-BASED LEARNING

The FDPM engages the academic, spiritual, and pastoral aspects of formation applied to the work situation.‘Formation for the apostolate presupposes a complete human formation adapted to the talents and circumstances of each person’ ( Apostolicam Actuositatem ‘Formation for the Apostolate’ Report August 2008)

MODULES

THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS
Understanding why the Church exists and its mission
Awareness of the cultural context
The purpose of humanity
Our relationship with God
The contemporary parish and the mission of the Church as communion

THE CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN CULTURE
The Reformation
Vatican II
Defining the Catholic community and the parish
The person of Jesus Christ

THE LAITY AND THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH
Roles in the parish
The Parish Pastoral Council
Communication and Technology
Working with Volunteers

PARISH AT THE SERVICE OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Liturgy
Pastoral care of the sick
RCIA and Adult Formation
Canon Law

THE COMMUNITY OF FAITH EXISTS TO SERVE
The Leaning Parish
Ecumenical and Interfaith dimensions
The catechism and the Community
Parish Spirituality

THE PEOPLE OF GOD FIT FOR MISSION
Parish administration
The priestless parish
Conflict resolution
Accountability
Fund raising and employment



Keep the Faith!

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PJD

Rose wrote previously:

"Initially there was one aspect, that of laity deciding to take the degree. The email announcing the course did not specify roles for which the degree would be advantageous.

That is my initial approach in a nutshell."


So off we go?

I will try to prepare from memory a list of the various duties undertaken where I am.

But in the meantime would prefer others to test that water first (smile)

PJD
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Rose of York
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Link - Heythrop College

Quote:
 
WHO IS THE FDPM FOR?

The FDPM is for the formation of lay people for pastorally supported leadership roles in the local church. It provides a solid foundation in Catholic theology applied to the actual work situation. As this programme is built on work-based learning students will be already active in their parishes or places of work.


Aimed at people already active in their parishes or places of work. That suggests that the aim is to have people taking up leadership positions in the parishes where they live. What about the 18 year old, who is interested in taking the degree with an aim to serving as an adult, in the future?

It may be that a small parish that could do with a lay pastoral leader has no suitable person who is free to take up the role, and a nearby large parish could supply us. If our rural community is to have a qualified lay pastoral worker I personally would prefer it the role is filled from outside.
Keep the Faith!

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Deacon Robert
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Rose this looks like the course outline for a Pastoral administrator. A priest or a Deacon is already trained in this along with more specialized studies.

As to who needs it. In the US, it would be a layperson who is put in charge of the day to day running of a "priestless parish" where a Deacon or religious is not available. In truth there are no "priestless parishes" it refers to a parish that is pastored by a non resident priest.
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne

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PJD


Whilst considering a list of jobs done where I am, there is no point in typing them all out because none of them appear to come under degree category. Even those specialized e.g. doing the accounts, getting quotes for work to be done in the parish - they all fall really under that of secular trades

As for pastoral assistent. You would still have to breakdown it into its separate functions.

PJD
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PJD

Task for you Rose - I tried - I failed.

Find out what the fees are.

PJD
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Rose of York
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Fees


http://www.heythrop.ac.uk/index.php/content/view/109/120/
Keep the Faith!

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PJD

Thank you 'Rose. I give you your due you are better at finding things than I am. £500 I gather.

PJD
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Alan
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Rose of York
Wednesday, 3. June 2009, 13:39
Link - Heythrop College

Quote:
 
Foundation Degree in Pastoral Mission
This Foundation Degree in Pastoral Mission can be studied over two years full-time or four years part-time.


Its aim is to give adults who want to serve the Church the resources and skills they need in order to make a difference. The programme provides them with learning opportunities to integrate Christian teaching in relation to their ministries in the parish, to foster reflective practice on their experience and to develop pastoral skills of service to the Church. It includes placement/work based learning and fosters theological study related to the needs and demands of lay parish ministry.

I do not think the FDPM has any place in the Catholic Church.

The God given gifts and talents lovingly shared by all Parishioners in the service of the local Church Community will be lost if lay parishioners are not utilised for parish duties because a person with the FDPM informs them that they have not got the relevant qualifications.

The Prayer ministry in many parishes gets its major membership from the housebound. Will they still be qualified?

Members of the Parish who currently give time to produce Readers Lists, etc etc, may not wish to study for the qualification so will the person have to give up their input.

We are all members of the parish and all equal in the eyes of God. There is no neeed to create a parish "Elite".

Furthermore who pays the fees? (£2000.00 over 4 years?) the person undertaking the course or the parish which is going to be the ultimate beneficiary.

God Bless all who visit this forum,

Alan.

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Rose of York
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Alan
Thursday, 4. June 2009, 00:33
I do not think the FDPM has any place in the Catholic Church.

The God given gifts and talents lovingly shared by all Parishioners in the service of the local Church Community will be lost if lay parishioners are not utilised for parish duties because a person with the FDPM informs them that they have not got the relevant qualifications.
I forsee that lay parishioners' gifts and talents will be utilised, but only if the qualified person chooses them.
Quote:
 
The Prayer ministry in many parishes gets its major membership from the housebound. Will they still be qualified?

Yes, but they might be put on a rota. Mrs A, commit yourself to Monday, Mr B, you will be on prayer duty on Tuesday.
Quote:
 
Members of the Parish who currently give time to produce Readers Lists, etc etc, may not wish to study for the qualification so will the person have to give up their input.

Probably, but they may be told exactly how to do the job. Layout designed by the person who is qualified in these matters.
Quote:
 
We are all members of the parish and all equal in the eyes of God. There is no need to create a parish "Elite".

I have experienced such a situation. One person simply stepped into every role that was vacated through others moving house, dying, or a change of circumstances making it imperative they give up some task. Eventually some parishioners perceived that person to be some sort of parish manager, which she was not. There was a change of priests, the new one got close to cracking up, because it was made very clear to him that he was a stranger to the community and the town, and his input was not needed.
Quote:
 
Furthermore who pays the fees? (£2000.00 over 4 years?) the person undertaking the course or the parish which is going to be the ultimate beneficiary.


"Its aim is to give adults who want to serve the Church the resources and skills they need in order to make a difference. "

If they WANT let them pay.

Who will be the beneficiari(es), the parish or the individual.

If we are to have parish managers, I would prefer them to be from another parish, to be seen as staff subject to authority, not elite members of the community. The day we have fellow parishioners taking charge, the person who does the rotas or organises the coffee might feel as though they are going to work, not just giving a hand. Rural communities without resident priests could end up in peril, unless each role is filled by a person with the right attitude. Top priority - humility.
Keep the Faith!

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PJD


"I do not think the FDPM has any place in the Catholic Church."

Inclined to agree. It will probably prove to be a damp squib in the general sense; perhaps useful in a minority of communities - and that's all.

Let us make it clear that the ordained ministry cannot be anything but essential whatever initiatives are put into hand. The congregation will always cling to them in the sense that lay is lay, ordained is ordained. Such as it is and should be regarded as such.

PJD
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