Semester Description

Sessions plans for those evangelizing and catechizing youth, grades 9-12.

The Apologetics semester looks at some of the primary attacks against Church teachings, giving the teens clear answers to difficult questions.

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.

Session Plans to Download

Available in the Course Dashboard after Registration

    1. About Unit 2

      FREE PREVIEW
    2. Unit 2 - Salvation – Faith Alone? - pdf Version

    3. Unit 2 - Salvation – Faith Alone? - Word Version

    1. About Unit 3

      FREE PREVIEW
    2. Unit 3 - The Church Hierarchy – A Human Institution? - pdf Version

    3. Unit 3 - The Church Hierarchy – A Human Institution? - Word Version

    1. About Unit 4

      FREE PREVIEW
    2. Unit 4 - The Blessed Virgin Mary – Just Another Woman? - pdf Version

    3. Unit 4 - The Blessed Virgin Mary – Just Another Woman? - Word Version

    1. About Unit 5

      FREE PREVIEW
    2. Unit 5 - Sacraments – Man-Made Rituals? - pdf Version

    3. Unit 5 - Sacraments – Man-Made Rituals? - Word Version

About this course

  • $5.00
  • 23 lessons
  • 0 hours of video content