Institute for Ministry
Are You Ready to Get “Certified”?
Two new certificates expand opportunities to study and
teach theology, spread the faith.
Tamra Fromm, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management
T
his past fall, the Institute for Ministry (IFM)
and the Archdiocese of Detroit’s Office for
Evangelization and Catechesis collaborated
towards the purpose of offering an academic
program that would serve as a component of
the requirements for catechists and lay ecclesial
ministers to achieve archdiocesan certification.
This collaboration led to the creation of the
new Certificate in Catholic Theology (CCT).
twenty-seven foundational topics in theology
and practical application of ministry that
are required for catechist certification. Topic
sessions are offered at the seminary in June
and during the year at parishes throughout the
Archdiocese of Detroit.
Students who complete the six courses also
earn academic credit and can use the CCT as a
platform for future studies in another academic
program, such as the Basic Diploma in Catholic
Theology, an Associate of Arts in Ministry,
Bachelor of Arts (AB) in Pastoral Theology or
Philosophy, or even toward a portion of the
pre-requisite courses required for admission to a
master-level degree.
The Certificate in Catholic Theology/
Certificado en Teología Cathólica also is offered
completely in Spanish for those who minister
in the growing number of parish communities
with Hispanic Catholics. Currently, twentysix students are enrolled in the program with
seventeen of these planning to graduate with
the certificate this spring.
Creative Collaboration
Catechists jump to “first level” certification by
earning the new Certificate in Catholic Theology.
The CCT consists of six undergraduate
courses (thirteen credit-hours) in theology,
Sacred Scripture, liturgy and sacraments,
ecclesiology, spirituality, and moral theology. Lay
ecclesial ministers seeking to earn archdiocesan
certification can earn the entire theological
portion of their professional, or first, level of
certification through completing the CCT.
• Certificate in Catholic Theology •
Catechists who wish to become certified as
catechists can complete the six courses for the
CCT and thereby earn credit for sixteen of the
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MOSAIC
Sean Calvin, associate director for
ministerial certification for the archdiocese, is
enthused about this new collaborative program.
“As a graduate of Sacred Heart Major
Seminary, I am thrilled to be working so
closely with the great people in the Institute
for Ministry. Together, we are working toward
a common goal of forming people to serve in
parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit.
“As we move forward,” Sean says, “I am
looking forward to the creative and innovative
ways in which we can continue to offer the best
programs and formation to our lay ministers,
catechists, Catholic school religion teachers,
and others.”
Sacred Heart’s rector, Msgr. Todd Lajiness, and
Dr. Janet Diaz, dean of the Institute for Ministry,
echo this excitement about the joint efforts
between the seminary and the archdiocese toward
providing courses for catechetical and ministerial
certification. Indeed, collaborative work continues