This course is for anyone interested in learning about Ecumenical & Interreligious relations from the Catholic perspective, especially laypeople who are considering becoming a Parish Ecumenical & Interfaith Representative (PEIR). For more information on what a PEIR is and does, please visit: lacatholics.org/parish-lay-opportunities/ No prior knowledge of the subject is required.
This in-person course is taught on the first Saturday of each month from September through May, 9 am - 4 pm. Please see below for the 2024/25 course schedule.
The course explores how to broaden and deepen the Catholic ministry of ecumenical and interreligious relations as individuals, parish communities, and as a Church. It examines the history of Catholicism within the wider Christian world (ecumenism), and Catholic relations with non-Christians (interreligious affairs), looking at a shared, complex history through a variety of lenses.
The program includes field trips to houses of worship, such as an Orthodox Church, Synagogue, Buddhist Temple, and Mosque. At each of these field trips, there is an opportunity to meet and speak with a representative of said house of worship or religion, such as a Rabbi or a Buddhist Monastic. This course thus offers a combination of classroom study and immersive experiences with other faith traditions.
In order to obtain the Certification, assigned reading and reflection papers on each class topic are required, in addition to attending the monthly Saturday sessions. Please note that the Certification is required to become a Parish Ecumenical & Interfaith Representative (PEIR).
If no certification is desired and the program is attended for personal growth only, the reflection papers are not required.
This program is open to anyone, including non-Catholic participants who would like to learn more about the Catholic tradition and its approach to other faith traditions. Also, it is not limited to residents within our own Archdiocese. Prior participants have come from as far as Orange County.
2024/25 Course Dates & Schedule:
First Saturday of the month, September through May, 9 am – 4 pm
Schedule is subject to change and depends on availability of host sites.
| September 7 |
Class on the Pursuit of Christian Unity - History & Progress |
| October 5 |
Class on the Eastern Catholic Churches & the Orthodox Churches |
| November 2 |
Class on the Protestant Reformation & Evangelical Movements |
| December 7 |
Continuation of November 2 Topic / Site Visit to Orthodox Church |
| January 4 |
Class on Nostra Aetate and on Judaism |
| February 1 |
Site Visit to Synagogue / Class on Islam |
| March 1 |
Site Visit to Mosque / Class on Hinduism |
| April 5 |
Site Visit to Hindu Temple / Class on Buddhism |
| May 3 |
Site Visit to Buddhist Temple / Class on Implementing the Parish Ecumenical & Interfaith Ministry |
Course Location:
Church of the Good Shepherd, Parish Center, 504 N Roxbury Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 for classroom instruction, plus field trips to different locations around Los Angeles. Participants are encouraged to carpool for such.
Limited parking is available at the parish. More information on parking can be provided closer to the course start date once class size has been determined.
Course Tuition:
$400 with Certification
$300 without Certification
Tuition includes course materials. It does not include lunch or transportation for the field trips. Lunch may be brought. There are a few choices of restaurants near Good Shepherd Church.
For further questions, please contact:
Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, Ecumenical & Interreligious Officer of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
at FrARSmith@la-archdiocese.org
or
Sandra Bossi, Volunteer Assistant to Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith and Ecumenical & Interfaith Representative, Church of the Good Shepherd
at ChristianUnity@gsbh.org
