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New scholarship invests in lay ministry – Formation for Lay Ministry Scholarship

St. Mark’s College is thrilled to launch the new Formation for Lay Ministry Scholarship program, supporting the integral and important work of local lay ministry leaders. Multiple scholarships are available.

The new Formation for Lay Ministry Scholarship will support the ongoing formation of people serving in a variety of parish and non-parish ministries within the RCAV. Recipients of this new scholarship will receive full tuition and fee remission for foundational courses.

Forming ministers and leaders has been central to the mission of St. Mark’s College since its inception in 1956. In recent years, the College has been entrusted by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver (RCAV) to assist with the formation of candidates for the Permanent Diaconate and has partnered with the Catholic Independent Schools of the Archdiocese of Vancouver (CISVA) to form Catholic teachers and administrators.

Recipients will join a community of adult learners serving in a variety of contexts and roles and will cultivate essential theological and pastoral skills for faithful and effective ministry in an increasingly complex and diverse world. Recipients of the scholarship will have the option of counting both courses towards the College’s Graduate Certificates or Master of Arts programs in Pastoral Studies or Religious Education.

 

“We need lay people who are formed well, animated by a clear and sincere faith, whose lives have been touched by a personal and merciful encounter with the love of Jesus Christ.”

-Pope Francis, Address to Participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Laity

 

Formation for Lay Ministry Scholarship

Recipients of this scholarship will receive full tuition and fee remission for any two of the following three foundational courses:

THEO501: Foundations of Theology (offered virtually - Winter 2022 term)

This introductory course explores a variety of interrelated themes in theological method and reflection from a Catholic perspective, including: the nature of revelation, faith, tradition and theology; the relationship between faith and reason; the mediation of revelation in scripture, liturgy and the dogmatic traditions of the Church; and the nature and role of the magisterium, infallibility, the development of doctrine, and the sensus fidei.

SCRI505: Introduction to Scripture (offered in-person - Summer Institute, July 2022)

This course provides students with a solid foundation in the study of the Bible that will support their ministry and future studies. This course covers both the Old and New Testaments in their own contexts, thematic parallels between them, and gives attention to how the Catholic intellectual tradition engages these textual traditions.

THEO525: Theology of Ministry (offered virtually - Fall 2022 term)

This course explores a variety of interrelated themes in the history, theology and practice of ministry, including: ministry in the New Testament and in the history of the church; Vatican II and contemporary theologies of ministry; formation and spirituality for ministry; the nature of charism and vocation; the practice of ministry and theological reflection; and ethics for pastoral ministry.

Lay ministers serving in the Archdiocese of Vancouver who have demonstrated involvement in ministry are encouraged to submit their completed applications online by November 30. Successful applicants will be notified by December 13. For more information, please contact Dr. Lynda Robitaille ([email protected]).

 

Terms and Eligibility

1. Recipients must meet the admission requirements of St. Mark’s College.

2. The Scholarship is open to all lay persons who have demonstrated involvement in ministry (e.g. RCIA, PREP, Youth Ministry, marriage preparation, catechesis, faith-sharing, prison ministry, social justice ministry, etc.) in the RCAV. Applicants may serve as volunteers or as employees who receive a stipend or salary for their ministry.

3. This Scholarship is open to those who are not already eligible for the Archbishop’s Scholarship for Leadership in Catholic Education. Those who teach within CISVA are encouraged to apply for the Archbishop's Scholarship.

4. Preference will be given to applicants who are new to the College.

5. In order to receive funding for their second course, recipients must first successfully complete (defined as attaining a course grade of 70% or better) their first course.

Schedule

THEO 501 (Foundations of Theology) during the 2022 Winter Term (January- March) and THEO 525 (Theology of Ministry) during the 2022 Fall Term (September-December) will be delivered virtually. Virtual classes are live classes  delivered via Zoom and will include lectures as well as extended time for group discussion and interaction. SCRI 505 (Introduction to Scripture) during 2022 Summer 2 Term will take place in-person from July 4-15 at St. Mark’s College at UBC, with students receiving additional time into August to complete coursework.

View the application

 

Application due November 30, 2021, 11:59 PM

 

Questions?

Contact Dr. Lynda Robitaille, [email protected]

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