Course Description

From October 2012 through November of 2013, Pope Benedict XVI has called the Church to celebrate a Year of Faith, challenging Catholics to grow in faith by strengthening their devotion to the Word of God. To do this, he has called Catholics to a renewed understanding of the documents of Vatican II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This course will help participants understand the context for the Year of Faith by examining faith in light of Vatican II. Beginning with Blessed Pope John XXIII’s announcement of the Second Vatican Council, the course will walk participants through the documents of Vatican II and selected writings of Popes Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI. The course will examine the essential characteristics of faith in light of Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Finally, it will describe how faith is strengthened and lived by lay people in the world today.

Hours of Instruction: 12

Institute Director Eric Westby, PhD

Dr. Eric J. Westby is the Director of the Institute of Catholic Theology in Phoenix, Arizona. He is also the Director of Parish Catechesis at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, coordinating Christian initiation for adults, teens and children. He teaches theology for Franciscan University of Steubenville, specializing in the areas of foundational doctrine, evangelization and catechetics. Through his studies at the Maryvale Institute of Birmingham, England, he received his doctorate from Liverpool Hope University, with his thesis entitled "Equipping the Catechist of Catechists: A Critical Discussion of Seminary Formation in Light of Priestly Ministry in Catechesis." He holds a Masters of Arts degree in Theology and Christian Ministry from Franciscan University in Steubenville, from where he was the first student to complete the graduate specialization in catechetics. He holds a Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies from the Center for Ministry Development, and has been involved in full-time catechesis since 1988. He is a regular presenter at the summer St. John Bosco Catechetical Conference at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has published articles in the Catholic University of America's International 'Journal of Evangelization and Catechetics'; in Franciscan University's 'Catechetical Review'; and in Emmaus Academic's In Speaking the Truth in Love: The Catechism and the New Evangelization. He has developed OCIA and youth ministry curricula, available through the Institute of Catholic Theology. Most importantly, he is husband to Nikki, is the father of five beautiful girls, has one son-in-law, and has one grandchild.

Course Curriculum

Available in the Course Dashboard after Registration

    1. Reflection Questions for Online Courses

    2. Syllabus

    3. Schreck Exerpt

    4. Porta Fidei Excerpt

    5. Year of Faith - Plenary Indulgence

    6. Link

    1. Session 1 - Handouts

    2. Session 1 - Video

    1. Session 2 - Handouts

    2. Session 2 - Video

    1. Session 3 - Handouts

    2. Session 3 - Video

    1. Session 4 - Handouts

    2. Session 4 - Video

    1. Session 5 - Handouts

    2. Session 5 - Video

About this course

  • $10.00
  • 18 lessons
  • 12 hours of video content