AMS - Year 1 ThS 108 Eschatology and Mary and the Saints - March 2027

Advanced Ministry Studies

 THEOLOGY YEAR

COURSE: Eschatology and Mary and the Saints    

Mariology

Course Description

This class will examine the role and significance of Jesus’ mother Mary in the New Testament.  In addition to her role at the center of the Church and her presence in the communion of saints, we will examine the aspects of one of Mary’s manifestations as the Virgin of Guadalupe and her continued relevance to Christians today.

Course Objectives

• Examination of the areas of the New Testament where there are references to Mary and what we can learn from them.
•  Probing the context of what life in 1^st century Palestine was like to deepen our understanding of Mary in her context.
• Studying the early church’s theological development of its understanding of Mary and her significance.
• Discuss the significance of various titles for Mary and how she continues to be a powerful and meaningful aspect of the Christian life.

Eschatology

Course Description

Eschatology has been a foundational aspect of the Christian life from its beginning.  Traditionally defined as the study of the “last things” it has come to impact reflection on all aspects of the Christian life.  How we view the end inspires our daily activity, spirituality, and faith.  This aspect of our class will examine key areas of eschatology and their implications for our lives.

Course Objectives

•          Explore the eschatologies of the New Testament and the context of the early Christian life as it impacted the understanding of the “last things.”
•          Reflect on the relationship of Creation to Eschatology and how it resets our understanding of Eschatology.
•          An examination of soteriology (God’s saving work in our lives) and eschatology
•          How do we talk about the “last things” today: Death, Judgement, Heaven, and Hell?

Date: Saturday, March 13, 2027 

Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Breaks and Lunchtime included)  

Format: Format: Zoom Live Class  

Professor: Dr. Marc DelMonico, Ph.D

Dr. Marc DelMonico, Ph.D Is Director of Communications and Online Education at Saint Luke Institute since 2024, Marc brings a diverse background as a national Catholic ministry leader and strategist, theologian, and digital communications consultant. He has supported lay ministry training and development at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, worked with the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) and has many years of experience in a wide variety of ministerial and leadership endeavors, from parishes, to local and national faith-based organizations. He possesses skills in digital media strategy and communication, having worked with an array of nonprofit and small business clients.

He holds a Ph.D. in Historic and Systematic Theology from the School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America. He earned an M.Div. as a lay person from the Washington Theological Union, and an M.A. in Systematic Theology. He holds a B.A. in Theology and Philosophy with a minor in Justice, Peace and Conflict Studies from Saint Bonaventure University. Marc has written, studied and lectured in the areas of ecclesiology, theology of ministry, ecumenism, theology of liturgy, as well as Catholic social teaching. He has been an adjunct professor of undergraduate theology at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and Marymount University in Arlington, Va, and has written peer-reviewed theological articles for several journals.

Notes: 

• Please register as soon as possible as this course requires pre-reading material.
• This class is eligible for ongoing formation. Those not registered in the Advanced Ministry Studies but would like to take the class as an ongoing formation please use discount code: AMS-ThS108 for a 50% discount.