The Catholic University for Independent Thinkers
In addition to the Core curriculum and pastoral foundation courses required to fulfill the pastoral ministry degree requirements, students are required to choose a focus area, and complete an internship, capstone project, and professional portfolio.
Pastoral Ministry students select a focus area in either Catechetical Ministry or Youth and Young Adult Ministry to sharpen the development of practical experience and pastoral skills. As part of the requirements for each focus area, students complete a year-long internship in a pastoral setting, such as a parish, school or diocesan office. In dialogue with professors and the on-site supervisor, students develop a comprehensive plan for the internship, which allows them to tailor their work to match the needs of the community with personal goals. This intense ministerial opportunity provides practical experience and skilled supervision, which is both challenging and supportive.
Elements common to all internship courses:
Elements unique to specific internship courses:
For each internship, different ministerial tasks will be assigned in accord with the
needs and desires of the student, and the needs and circumstances of the host community.
A list of recommended elements for each of the different focus areas will form the
basis for initial conversation between the student, the supervising professor, and
the onsite supervisor.
Every internship concludes with a capstone project, which gives students a chance to demonstrate both conceptual mastery of the foundations of ministry and practical expertise in the skills it requires. In their final semester, all pastoral ministry majors prepare a comprehensive professional portfolio to showcase the student's knowledge and professional skills as a way of demonstrating ministerial excellence. Portfolios include model presentations, writing samples, descriptions of ministerial experience, records of successful projects and other indicators of professional development. The portfolio is the centerpiece of a public presentation by the student and is assessed by a panel including at least two professors from the School of Ministry and the onsite supervisor of the student's internship.
The courses to complete these specifc requirements include:
PAS 3360. Focus Area: Foundations Of Catechetical Ministry. Survey of the history, theology, and practice of the ministry of catechesis; provides close reading of pertinent catechetical documents including Gravissimum Educationis, Catechesi Tradendae, the General Directory for Catechesis, Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, the National Directory for Catechesis, etc. Prerequisites: THE 1310, THE 2311, PAS 1305, PAS 3335.
PAS 4381. Pastoral Internship: Catechetical Ministry. Students immerse themselves in the practice of catechetical ministry in a concrete setting of parish, school, or other catechizing community. The internship provides an opportunity for students to put into practice the vision, principles, and strategies studied in the foundations course, in the concrete circumstances and culture of the internship site. Under the structured professional supervision of a seasoned catechetical practitioner, students undertake meaningful, hands-on ministry in a wide variety of settings, at multiple levels. Prerequisite: PAS 1305, PAS 3335, PAS 3345, PAS 3360.
PAS 4181. Internship Seminar: Catechetical Ministry. Students meet weekly in a ninety minute seminar, concurrent with the ministry internships. Work focuses on student presentations of ministry at internship sites, systematic theological and pastoral reflection on implications and connections; identification and consideration of common motifs and issues across ministries; and concrete strategizing for communal and personal ministerial enhancement. Taken with PAS 4381. (1 credit hour).
PAS 4382. Pastoral Internship: Catechetical Ministry Capstone. In the second semester internship, students plan, execute, and evaluate a major ministerial project intended to demonstrate conceptual mastery of the foundations of pastoral ministry in general and catechetical ministry in particular; thorough familiarity with the culture, needs and circumstances of the host community; and practical facility in the skills associated with catechetical ministry. The project is designed in collaboration with and approved by, the onsite supervisor, the supervising professor, and the Dean. Upon the successful completion of the project, a summative and integrative paper describing the project is to be submitted.
PAS 4182. Internship Seminar: Catechetical Ministry II. Students continue to meet weekly in a ninety minute seminar, concurrent with the ministry internships. Work focuses on student presentations of ministry at internship sites, systematic theological and pastoral reflection on implications and connections; identification and consideration of common motifs and issues across ministries; and concrete strategizing for communal and personal ministerial enhancement. Taken with PAS 4382. (1 credit hour).
PAS 3362. Focus Area: Foundations Of Youth And Young Adult Ministry. Survey of the history, theology, and practice of ministry with and for youth and young adults; provides close reading of pertinent ecclesial documents including Sons and Daughters of the Light; Renewing the Vision, Ecclesia in America, etc. Prerequisites: THE 1310, THE 2311, PAS 1305, PAS 3335.
PAS 4383. Pastoral Internship: Youth Ministry. Students immerse themselves in the practice of youth ministry in a concrete setting of parish, school, or other ministering community. The internship provides an opportunity for students to put into practice the vision, principles, and strategies studied in the foundations course, in the concrete circumstances and culture of the internship site. Under the structured professional supervision of a seasoned youth ministry practitioner, students undertake meaningful, hands-on ministry in a wide variety of settings, at multiple levels. Prerequisite: PAS 1305, PAS 3335, PAS 3345, PAS 3362.
PAS 4183. Internship Seminar: Youth Ministry. Students meet weekly in a ninety minute seminar, concurrent with the ministry internships. Work focuses on student presentations of ministry at internship sites, systematic theological and pastoral reflection on implications and connections; identification and consideration of common motifs and issues across ministries; and concrete strategizing for communal and personal ministerial enhancement. Taken with PAS 4383. (1 credit hour).
PAS 4384. Pastoral Internship: Youth Ministry Capstone. In the second semester internship, students plan, execute, and evaluate a major ministerial project intended to demonstrate conceptual mastery of the foundations of pastoral ministry in general and youth ministry in particular; thorough familiarity with the culture, needs and circumstances of the host community; and practical facility in the skills associated with youth ministry. The project is designed in collaboration with and approved by, the onsite supervisor, the supervising professor, and the Dean. Upon the successful completion of the project, a summative and integrative paper describing the project is to be submitted.
PAS 4184. Internship Seminar: Youth Ministry II. Students continue to meet weekly in a ninety minute seminar, concurrent with the ministry internships. Work focuses on student presentations of ministry at internship sites, systematic theological and pastoral reflection on implications and connections; identification and consideration of common motifs and issues across ministries; and concrete strategizing for communal and personal ministerial enhancement. Taken with PAS 4381. (1 credit hour).
