Sunday, Nov. 17 - Saturday, Dec. 14

Free Self-Paced Online Course

Though faith is most basic to Christian life, its meaning and power are often misunderstood. Far from mundane “wishful thinking,” Christian faith is a supernatural gift from God through which we surrender our lives to Him and share in His divine life (cf. Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is the substance of things hoped for...”). This course will explore the meaning and power of Christian faith according to the Scriptures and the teachings of Thomas Aquinas and other saints and doctors of the Church (especially Therese of Lisieux and Mother Teresa of Calcutta).

How is this course structured?

This non-credit course is being offered online using the seminary's learning-management system, Canvas. Upon signing up for the course, students will receive a username and password for accessing the online class.

The class will be conducted online giving students the freedom to engage with the material and complete course tasks around their own schedule. The class will consist of five modules which can be completed according to the individual's own pace.

Each module will be hosted by Fr. Pieter van Rooyen and will include:

- Lecture Videos (~20 minutes)

- Lectio Divina Exercise (~10 minutes)

- Personal Assessment Quiz (~5 minutes)

- Supplemental Reading Material

The goal of the course is not to deliver a high level of rigor or stress, but instead engage Catholics who want to learn more about their faith.

Consider this a personal study or retreat experience, done at your own pace. This is an opportunity to grow deeper in your relationship with the Lord and with others.

What will be covered?

Module 1: The Necessity, Nature, and Power of Christian Faith

Module 2: Growth in Faith

Module 3: The Demands of Faith

Module 4: Darkness and Faith

presented by:

Fr. Pieter van Rooyen

A priest for the Diocese of Lansing since 2010, Fr. van Rooyen completed a Doctorate in Sacred Theology (STD) in 2017 at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. He is pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and Director of Graduate Seminarians and Assistant Professor of Theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit.