April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
COURSES IN PROFILE
SPRING ENRICHMENT: THREE COURSES
SPRING ENRICHMENT: THREE COURSES
F06, P04, "Catholics and the Election," May 19, 1 p.m., at The College of Saint Rose in Albany and May 21, 11:15 a.m., at St. Henry's parish in Averill Park
"It's not just looking at politicians," said Jeffrey Marlett, associate professor of religious studies at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, about his "Catholics and the Election" course at this year's Spring Enrichment. "Politics is a good human endeavor that we can support and participate in either by voting or running for office, to help others."
Dr. Marlett's course will look at the principles of the Church and how they should be considered during the democratic process. The professor noted that just because someone holds Catholic standards and is practicing the faith doesn't mean that he or she would be a good elected representative.
"You have to be able to hold all these themes and concerns together when looking at political candidates," he said.
The class will focus mostly on the presidential election, although Dr. Marlett is open to discussing local politics, as well. In addition, he'll discuss the democratic process in general and some stigmas that Catholic voters may face. "There is a stereotype that Catholic voters are representative of one political party," he said, noting that each person has to decide his or her own political stance. "You don't have to ask someone, 'Who should I vote for?' Learn for yourself."
Dr. Marlett wants to be clear that he won't be telling anyone how to vote during his course. Instead, he'll highlight what the Church teaches in the hopes of sparking conversation that participants can continue in their parishes and communities.
One thing Dr. Marlett believes is important to discuss is the fact that this will be the first U.S. presidential election to take place with Pope Francis as the pontiff.
"The stereotype is that Pope Francis is a game-changer," he said.
Although the Holy Father emphasizes issues such as the environment, concern for the poor and social justice, there are many other issues of concern to the Church that voters also have to think about, as well.
"There is different emphasis on different values," Dr. Marlett told The Evangelist.
Dr. Marlett led a similar course at Spring Enrichment eight years ago with the election of then-Senator Barack Obama. At that time, attendees talked about issues like the Iraq War.
"[Sen.] John McCain was a compelling case to talk about as a Vietnam War veteran and also an adoptive parent," Dr. Marlett noted. "Four years from now, in 2020, we could do this again and some of the material might be the same, but so much will be different."
Dr. Marlett will also teach three other courses during Spring Enrichment, all in Albany: "Subsidiarity: Catholic Social Justice's Secret Weapon" (BB1), May 18, 2:05 p.m.; "Pope Francis, the Jesuit" (IB1), May 20, 10:35 a.m.; and "Jesus: Who Do You Say That I Am" (J02), May 20, 1 p.m.
COURSE WILL GO 'BACK TO NARNIA'
B06, W04, "Back to Narnia: The Christian Imagination of C.S. Lewis," May 18, 1 p.m., at The College of Saint Rose in Albany and May 21, 1:30 p.m., at St. Mary's parish center in Oneonta.
Carmel Ann Sperti has a fascination with famed author C.S. Lewis, and she wants to share that with other people.
Ms. Sperti, director of faith formation for St. Mary's parish in Oneonta and a former Catholic school teacher, has used the book "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," part of Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia series, to teach students about Catholic values.
At this year's Spring Enrichment, May 18-21 in Albany and at sites around the Diocese, she'll lead a course on using the works of C.S. Lewis in catechesis.
Many of Lewis' books, primarily those in the Narnia series, feature "children and young people who are raised from the cradle with Gospel values or who were converted by others," said Ms. Sperti.
C.S. Lewis was a devout Anglican and was inspired by his close friend J.R.R. Tolkien, another well-known author who was a Catholic. Lewis used Christian imagery in his works, most obviously for the character of Aslan the lion in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."
Jesus is sometimes referred to as the "lion of Judah," Ms. Sperti noted, and "we think of the lion as the king of beasts."
Lewis' character of Aslan, "the great Lion," is a Christ-like figure who "allows himself to be sacrificed and then is raised to new life by a higher power, and goes on to conquer evil," she continued. The character can show "how sacrifice can result in redemption and happy, whole, holy lives."
Although there are many dynamic characters in the book that represent the struggle between good and evil, she added, Aslan is one of the most obvious.
Ms. Sperti noted that, when using the book to teach children, even the youngest students can understand that the lion is a symbol for Jesus.
"It's a good break from heavy theology" for both young children and teens, Ms. Sperti told The Evangelist. "We all love fantasy, but people who come to Spring Enrichment [to get ideas for their faith formation classes] are looking for something more."
She said her course would be of interest to anyone interested in fantasy or the works of C.S. Lewis, particularly catechists and teachers. Using mainstream literature in addition to religious education textbooks, she added, can show students the universality and application of the values they are learning.
A similar course is being offered on J.R.R. Tolkien (KA1, "Meeting God in Middle Earth," May 20, 4 p.m., in Albany). Ms. Sperti is also teaching an Intro to Worship course (U02, May 21, 9 a.m., at St. Mary's in Oneonta).
'HOW DO WE GROW IN FAITH?'
H03, "How Do We Grow in Faith?" May 19, 7 p.m.
Finding the living God will be the focus of a Spring Enrichment course titled, "How Do We Grow in Faith?"
Beth Carlin, youth minister at St. Vincent de Paul parish in Albany, will lead the exploration of the developmental stages people go through and how they relate to faith.
Though the course is required for catechist certification, Mrs. Carlin said she also recommends it "for parents who want to know how they are growing in faith, but also to encourage their children to grow in faith."
Attendees will learn how to reflect upon their faith and life journeys while recognizing that other people have their own, unique journeys. Mrs. Carlin will discuss different ways to pray and ways to talk about faith and connect with a faith community.
"If we are helping people grow in their faith, it's the difference between education and formation," Mrs. Carlin told The Evangelist. "Formation is becoming a disciple. We are growing in our relationship with God so that we can [each] become a follower of Christ."
A large part of her course has to do with the three goals of youth ministry: to empower young people, to draw them in and to foster their faith. Boosting faith helps young people become better connected to the Church - particularly at the pivotal stages between the ages of 11 and 18, said Mrs. Carlin.
Mrs. Carlin also plans to discuss understanding the family dynamic and helping families grow in faith. Knowing where students came from means "we can help the parents, too," she said.
During the course, Mrs. Carlin will be suggesting hands-on activities for catechists or parents to share with children, as well as spiritual and prayerful activities to help people examine their faith journeys.
In order to truly grow in faith, the youth minister added, one must accept the necessity of having a relationship with Jesus in an individual way.
(Mrs. Carlin is also leading course F01, "Adolescent Catechesis," at 1 p.m. May 19 at The College of Saint Rose in Albany.) [[In-content Ad]]
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