Denver Catholic

14 JULY 22-AUGUST 11, 2017 | DENVER CATHOLIC Voices + All classes are subject to a minimum enrollment + You must attend an Information Session before class begins. For further details and to view a list of summer Information Sessions visit: sjvdenver.edu/biblicalschool or call: 303.715.3195 REGISTRATION INFORMATION 20172018 LOCATIONS BIBLICAL SCHOOL DENVER CATHOLIC ST. JOHN VIANNEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY LAY DIVISION C E L E B R A T I N G 3 5 Y E A R S CATECHETICAL SCHOOL DENVER CATHOLIC ST. J O H N V I A N N E Y T H E O LO G I C A L S E M I N A RY L AY D I V I S I O N BIBLICAL SCHOOL DENVER CATHOLIC ST. JOHN VIANNEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY LAY DIVISION C E L E B R A T I N G 3 5 Y E A R S CATECHETICAL SCHOOL DENVER CATHOLIC ST. J O H N V I A N N E Y T H E O LO G I C A L S E M I N A RY L AY D I V I S I O N BIBLICAL SCHOOL: Spirit of Christ, Arvada Mondays, 9:45 a.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: Aug. 14 and 28, 9:45 a.m. All Souls, Denver Mondays, 6:30 p.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: Aug. 14 and 28, 6:30 p.m. St. Louis, Louisville Mondays, 6:30 p.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: Aug 7 and 21, 6:30 pm St. Mark, Highlands Ranch Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: Aug. 8 and 22, 9:00 a.m. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Fort Collins Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. AND Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: Aug. 17, 6:30 p.m. July 25 and Aug. 29, 9:00 a.m. St. Clare, Edwards Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: Aug. 8 and 29, 6:30 p.m. St. Peter, Greeley Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: Aug. 1 and 29, 6:30 p.m. Holy Name, Englewood Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: Aug. 10 and 24, 9:00 a.m. Immaculate Conception, Lafayette Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: Aug. 3 and 31, 9:00 a.m. Ave Maria, Parker Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: Aug. 10 and 31, 6:30 p.m. St. Stephen, Glenwood Springs Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: July 27, Aug. 17, Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m. THE LADDER OF ASCENT: Previously, "Pillars" Light of the World, Littleton Mondays, 7:00 p.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: July 31, Aug. 14 and 28, 7:00 p.m. Our Lady of the Valley, Windsor Mondays, 9:30 a.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: Aug. 7 and 28, 9:30 a.m. St. Mary, Greeley Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: July 25, Aug. 8 and 22, 6:30 p.m. Notre Dame, Denver Thursdays, 7:00 p.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: Aug. 17 and 31, 7:00 p.m. CHURCH HISTORY: John Paul II Center, Denver Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: Aug. 1 and Sept. 5, 9:00 a.m. APOLOGETICS: Christ the King, Evergreen Mondays, 6:30 p.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: July 24 and Aug. 21, 6:30 p.m. St. Gabriel, Colorado Springs Mondays, 9:00 a.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: July 31 and Aug. 28, 9:00 a.m. Christ on the Mountain, Lakewood Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: Aug. 29, 6:30 p.m. Queen of Peace, Aurora Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: July 25 and Aug. 22, 9:00 a.m. ART OF LIVING: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Littleton Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. INFORMATION SESSIONS: Aug. 31, 9:30 a.m. Pilgrimage: A journey through Church history " L et it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen." Paul proclaims these words the end of the book of Acts, cap- ping o› the biblical nar- rative of the work of the Apostles. The story of salvation history doesn't end with the death of the Apostles, however, but continues in the life of the Church, fulfi lling the words of Paul. The Gen- tiles have accepted the Gospel and have built up the Kingdom of God on earth. This is our story and we continue it. If you want to know how the story continues after Acts, I'll be teaching a class through the Denver Catholic Catechetical School this year called "Pilgrimage: A Journey through Church History." It begins with the early Church and follows the story to today. The class explores the Church Fathers, the fall of Rome, the building of Christendom, the High Middles ages, the Reformation (perfect for the 500th anniversary this year), the expansion of the missions around the globe, the modern revolutions and the Second Vatican Council. We'll be looking at and discussing the most important histori- cal sources and exploring the art of the various time periods. We'll be entering into the Church's story by allowing the key fi gures and events to guide us. We see one turning point in the story in the year 430. St. Augustine lay dying in Hippo as the Vandals prepared to sack and conquer the city. Augustine lived at the end of an age as the Roman Empire slowly crumbled, but also at the beginning of a new Christian one, an age he helped forge. The great doctor of the Church thought through the implications of the rise of Christianity in an age of political decline and saw right into the heart of history. History, unlike the focus of our textbooks, fi nds its true course not in politics or economics, but through love. Augustine posited that all mankind belonged to one of two cities: The City of God and the City of Man. One city took its shape by loving God before all else and the other in a love turned inward on oneself. Augustine taught us that we live as citizens of our true homeland above even within the midst of this passing world: "The glorious city of God is my theme in this work.... I have undertaken its defense against those who prefer their own gods to the Founder of this city — a city surpass- ingly glorious." Augustine's teaching laid the foundation for a new Christian civi- lization, Christendom, which sprang up amidst the ruins of Rome in Europe. One young man unexpectedly began building the foundations for this new civilization. He was studying within the ruins of the decadent city of Rome in about the year 500 and fl ed the temp- tations of town to live as a hermit in the wilderness. Eventually, others fl ocked to him and he laid the foundations for monasticism throughout Western Europe. The monasteries provided the foundation upon which a new society was built. St. Benedict, for this work, has been recognized as a patron of Europe and a true father of Christendom. His Rule does not seek to build up the earthly city, but looking to the City of God to "hasten to do now what will profi t us for eternity." And this is the key to Catholic culture and history: Seeking the lasting city helps us to live better in this life, with wisdom, courage, and hope. We are all pilgrims, living in exile in the city of this world, and journeying toward the heavenly Jerusalem: "For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come" (Heb 13:14). And yet we have to build a city on earth and looking to the past provides inspiration for this great project. This is why we should study Church history, especially as our culture goes through a period of upheaval, not unlike St. Augustine's time. We need the witness and the legacy of the saints and doctors to guide our pilgrimage as we continue the story of the Church. Looking to the past helps us to plot out our own path on our journey to eternal life. Jared Staudt is the catechet- ical formation specialist for the O§ ce of Evangelization and Family Life Ministries. JARED STAUDT, PHD For class details, see below. i

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