Pastoral Care
NEXT COHORT BEGINS SEPTEMBER 2009. Spiritual, psychological, and physical suffering are part of the human condition. The Gospel calls us to reach out to people who experience suffering. Pastoral Care is a means of providing comfort to those suffering as a result of life's challenges, including long-term or life-limiting illness, death of a loved one, separation and divorce, or aging. The Certificate Program in Pastoral Care provides practical suggestions and models both for the direct service of those suffering as they face their personal challenges, and for the development of parish programs. Participants will study the theological and spiritual foundations for the call to pastoral care ministry, and learn how to help others use their talents as part of a caring Christian community.
This program is designed for anyone involved in pastoral ministry as a volunteer, as well as professional members of pastoral teams. People just beginning to discern a call to ministry will find this program to be a helpful overview of its areas and methods. Those who have already been active in pastoral ministry for some time will find that this program offers a refreshing perspective and source of continuing growth.
Topics of study include the theological and scriptural basis for ministry and pastoral care; care for people experiencing physical, spiritual and psychological suffering; ministry in times of illness, death and bereavement; blessings and challenges of ministering to and with the elderly; detention ministry and the care of victims of crime and domestic violence; the sacraments as place of contact with family issues; ministry for all people, with attention to socio-economic, cultural, ethnic and gender differences; developing, organizing, and sustaining a pastoral care program; and recruiting, retaining, and nourishing ministerial volunteers.
General Information
Courses will meet one Saturday per month from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the San Gabriel Regional Pastoral Center, 16009 East Cypress Avenue, Irwindale, CA 91706. The program runs two semesters. Participants who complete the Pastoral Care certificate program will earn a total of 5.0 LMU Extension continuing education units and a certificate of completion from Loyola Marymount University. Tuition is $240 per semester ($480 for the entire year). Tuition assistance is available for qualified applicants. Schedules and tuition subject to change. Please check the website for updates. Download and view the brochure.
Registration
Submit an enrollment form for the program via direct mail, or contact LMU Extension at 310.338.1971 to handle your enrollment over the phone. You can also register for courses individually online.
SCHEDULE
Fall 2009
This is the first semester of the two-semester program. Students must make sure they are enrolled in Pastoral Care I (RELX 830.01) for the Fall 2009 semester.
Schedule:
Saturday, September 26, 2009; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday, October 24, 2009; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday, November 14, 2009; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday, December 5, 2009; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Spring 2010
This is the second semester of the two-semester program. Students must make sure they are enrolled in Pastoral Care II (RELX 831.01) for the Spring 2010 semester. Open only to those who have completed RELX 830.01, the first semester of this program.
Schedule:
Saturday, January 23, 2010; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday, February 6, 2010; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday, March 6, 2010; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday, April 10, 2010; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday, May 1, 2010; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
INSTRUCTOR
Ann M. Karner, M.A. is the Director of Stephen Ministry at American Martyrs Parish in Manhattan Beach, CA. She has extensive experience in pastoral ministry at various parishes, as well as experience with hospice care and domestic violence. With two Master's degrees, in Religious Studies and Gerontology, her areas of expertise include death and dying, bereavement, aging and eldercare, and separation and divorce.