ACADEMIC NEWS
PRIEST-STUDENTS ENJOY
“ ONE-OF-A-KIND ”
SUMMER SESSION
Blended format STL program reaches highest enrollment in its fourth year .
T he work of preparing and supporting “ missionary disciples ” for the new evangelization ( Pope Francis ) continues during the summer months at Sacred Heart .
Forty-five priest-students have recently concluded a five-week summer session , which ended on August 11 . The men are studying to earn the Licentiate in Sacred Theology post-graduate degree ( STL ). Sacred Heart offers a unique “ blended ” format : a portion of the courses are taken online with a required summer residency for four years .
The summer term is academically challenging — the priests take four courses in two mini-sessions of two-and-one-half weeks each , for a total of five weeks of study . The forty-five priests come to the seminary from seven countries , thirty-two dioceses , and nine religious communities .
They comprise the largest collection of STL students of any Catholic university outside of Rome .
Full Cohort
The 2017 summer roster of priests was all-inclusive , made up of men who began their STL studies four years ago — in 2014 , the inaugural year of the blended format ( cohort one )— along with those who began three years ago ( cohort two ), and two years ago ( cohort three ). They were joined this summer by a “ rookie ” class : priests who have enrolled just this year and are attending their first summer session ( cohort four ).
“ This summer was significant for the seminary and our STL summer / online program ,” says Fr . Timothy Laboe , Sacred Heart ’ s dean of studies ( Class of 2009 ). “ Not only was it the first summer that we have a full four cohorts of priests , but also our first cohort will be taking their last summer term for their STL degrees .
“ Graduates of the program will be pioneering new ways for the Church to educate her leaders to carry out her mission . The presence of such good priests from around the country and the world ,” Father Laboe says , “ have made the past four summers at the seminary very vibrant .”
Sacred Heart ’ s rector , Msgr . Todd Lajiness , calls the STL a “ one-of-a-kind ” opportunity , as it combines “ deep theological and spiritual exploration together with practical application .” At the same time , he says , the summer session is a time of
26 Sacred Heart Major Seminary | Mosaic | Fall 2017