Founded in 1985, the St. Francis Center for Adult Education serves as a vibrant resource for ongoing faith formation and human development. Each semester we offer a variety of courses covering many topics and interests. REGISTRATION POLICY 1. Please try to pre-register at least one week in advance by mail or at the church office.  2. No acknowledgement of pre-registration will be made by mail. You will be notified only if a course is closed. 3. Include the fee with the registration form 4. Confidential scholarship aid is available in consultation with the Director. For information contact: Fr. Kevin Tortorelli, O.F.M. Director, Adult Education Center 212-736-8500, Ext. 31 Except where noted, all classes will be held at the St. Francis Adult Education Center, 139 West 31st Street (between 6th & 7th Avenues). The entrance is in the passageway on West 31st Street immediately adjacent to Sr. Francis Church. The Clare Room and the Francis Room are located in St. Francis House, 135 West 31st Street. San Damiano Hall is located at 129 West 31st Street. COURSE DESCRIPTIONS (Bios) Fall/Winter 2008 DO NOT BE AFRAID Throughout the bible we hear God say ‘fear not’. Do these words, written thousands of years ago, have meaning for us? After all, when was the last time you were chased by 600 chariots? What are the fears that should not frighten us? Do they include the fear of snakes, dentists, bridges, heights and the IRS? Can we–dare we–believe and trust in God when we’re told not to be terrified? What are the reasons why God tells us not to be afraid?  And, who is this God anyway? We will look at false images of God that impede our trusting him. We will study positive Biblical images of God that20push us to have faith in God’s promises. Mary Castrovilla, Instructor (Bios) Saturdays:  November 8, 15, 22, 29, December 6, 2008 5:15-6:15 PM, Classroom 4 Fee: $20   Mary Castrovilla received the M.A. in Religion/Pastoral Counseling from Fordham University and has many post-masters credits in bereavement counseling. She taught for 15 years for the Archdiocese of New York, and for 19 years was editor of “A Guide to Religions Ministries.”   PLACE MARKINGS/FAMILIES/FAMILIARS: Eudora Welty’s Fictions A noted catholic author of the Southern Renaissance, Eudora Welty defined her writing as an act of “inhabiting” her characters.  Although Welty is probably best known for her short stories, her longer fiction displays complex characters in styles that range from comedy to tragedy to myth and mock-epic.  This course will explore spirituality, folk customs, regional influences and literary traditions in Welty’s novels and novellas.  Published between 1942 and 1972, these works will enable us to explore continuity and differences in theme and style throughout the author’s career.  Weekly handouts will provide background information and a focus for the discussion of the next work.  Considering the works in chronological order, our discussion will be informed by literary critics and by Welty’s own comments on the art of writing.  (Individual works and a one-volume anthology of the novels are widely available in libraries.)  ·        Introduction to the Southern Renaissance, Southern literary conventions, overview of Welty’s biography, works, critical reception ·        The robber bridegroom ·        Delta Wedding ·        The Ponder Heart ·        Losing Battles ·        The Optimist’s Daughter Sr. Fran McManus, R.S.M., Instructor (Bios) Tuesdays:  October 7 – November 11, 2008 12:00 – 1:00 PM, Classroom 2 FEE:  $20.00   ST. PAUL’S CHALLENGE: PROVE YOUR FAITH During his time St. Paul challenged Christians to “Prove whether you be in the Faith.”   Many people claimed to be “Christian” but weren’t.  They professed with their words they were Christ’s followers but their actions proved otherwise. Then there were others who thought they had a strong faith but fell victim to “false prophets”.   Is it not the same today?  How many catholic friends do you have who haven’t been to church in years?  How about “Catholics” who have left the Church because they finally “found the truth”?  We will discuss why this happens and explore why the Catholic Church is truly the “Pillar of Truth”.  The course subjects covered will be: Personal Testimony & “The Fall” The Visible Church Sacraments and Salvation Mariology The Next Life & “Last Things” Joe Danzi, Instructor (Bios) Tuesdays:  October 7 – November 4, 2008 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Classroom 2 FEE:  $20.00     SEARCH FOR SERENITY Three days devoted to learning the experience of one’s search for serenity using the ever-so-popular “Serenity Prayer”.  The goal of this course is to help people struggling with their own journey and quest for balance and peace in their lives.  This course is a repeat from our Winter/Spring 2008 brochure. Peter Killeen, Instructor (Bios) Tuesdays:  October 7, 14, 21, 2008 6:00-7:00 PM, Classroom 3 FEE:  $20.00     ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE This course will consider the spiritual classic.  Abandonment To Divine Providence written by Jean-Pierre DeCaussade, S.J. in the 18th century.  This Fall we will begin Chapter VI:  “All will be well if we abandon ourselves to the will of God.” This course relies heavily on class participation, not only of the text, but also of  “the book of our own experience” (St. Augustine).  Is this book relevant in today’s world and for one’s spirituality? Participants need not have started this course, but should obtain a copy of the book and read the introduction before class begins.  It is available at the St. Francis Church Book Store.  Robert Gavin, O.F.M., M.S. Ed., Instructor (Bios) Wednesdays:  October 8 – November 12, 2008 12:00 – 1:00 PM, Classroom 4 FEE:  $20.00     THE GOSPEL OF JOHN: A Guide for your Spiritual Pilgrimage Our Study of the Fourth Gospel and its themes is intended to facilitate your understanding and to assist you in your spiritual journey.  Composed after the synoptic gospel accounts, St. John’s Gospel has a different perspective which is suited to the more contemplative and intuitive believer. Contemporary Biblical scholarship will be integrated with practical suggestions for your spiritual life. Thomas P. Ivory, Instructor (Bios) Wednesdays:  October 8 – November 19, 2008 12:00 – 1:00 PM, Classroom 2 FEE:   $20.00     CENTERING PRAYER WORKSHOP This Workshop guides participants in the practice of prayer and meditation that can lead to a deeper, contemplative prayer life.  The course consists of lectures, discussion and the actual practice of centering prayer.  Centering Prayer, a method developed from the Catholic contemplative tradition, facilitates a simpler and more interior sense of union with God. Centering prayer is not meant to replace Liturgical prayer, devotions or the reading of Sacred Scripture but offers an ingredient of prayer life that is often neglected or misunderstood. William Fredrickson, Instructor (Bios) Wednesdays:  October 8 – October 29, 2008 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Classroom 3 FEE:  $20.00       FRANCIS AND ISLAM “The Sultan was filled with the greatest admiration for Francis, and looked upon him as a man different than others.  The Sultan……was deeply moved by the words of Francis and he listened to him very willingly.”  Thomas of Celano, The First Life of St. Francis In the thirteenth century, during the Fifth Crusade the whole of Christendom was engaged in efforts to regain the Holy Land.  Francis of Assisi sought an alternative to war, when as a peacemaker he journeyed to Egypt and encountered the Muslin Sultan Malek al-Kamil.  This course will trace the origins of that event and Francis’ efforts for peace.  To gain a better understanding of the church’s current attitude toward Muslims the church document from the Second Vatican Council relating to non-Christians and the movement toward inter-faith dialogue with Muslims will be studied and discussed. Margaret Holden, F.S.P., Instructor (Bios) Wednesdays:  October 8 – November 19, 2008 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Classroom 2 FEE: $20.00     MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY In this course, we will be studying the mysteries of the Rosary, the sorrowful, joyful, glorious, and luminous mysteries.  The Rosary leads to deeper reflection on God’s powerful works in the lives of Jesus and Mary.  This course is a repeat from last term but is offered on a different day and time.  Celeste Park, Instructor (Bios) Thursdays:  October 9 – November 6, 2008 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Classroom 4 FEE:  $20.00     THE LIFE AND WORKS OF THOMAS MERTON In this course we will study and learn about Thomas Merton, one of the most influential Catholic theologians of the 20th Century.  This course will focus on his early life in France to his conversion to Catholicism.  We will study some of his works on monastic spirituality and his deep interest in Easter religions, particularly Zen Buddhism. This course is a repeat from last term but is offered on a different day and time. Celeste Park, Instructor (Bios) Thursdays:  October 9 – October 30, 2008 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, Classroom 4 FEE:  $20.00       MANY SPLENDORED THING:  An Introduction to the History  of Christian Spirituality, Part I Throughout history Christian spirituality has revealed many different facets.  The spiritual currents that have appeared reveal the inexhaustible riches of the Christian spiritual treasury.  This course will examine some of the developments in the history of Christian spirituality.  The five sessions of Part I will treat topics such as:  What is spirituality?, Jesus and New Testament Spirituality, Early Christian Church and Martyrdom, Desert Monasticism, Early Middle Ages and the Gregorian Reform.   Part II which will be offered in the Winter Term will treat the Golden Age of the 13th Century through Contemporary currents in spirituality. Tony LoGalbo, O.F.M., Instructor (Bios) Thursdays:  October 9 – November 6, 2008 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Classroom 4 FEE:  $20.00   PRAYING WITH HENRI NOUWEN In his book, With Open Hands, Henri Nouwen lists what he believes to be the five stages of prayer.  The first stage of this process, as discussed in the introduction of the book, is the challenge of opening ones hands and allowing oneself to be free of past hurts, familiarities and distractions so they can truly be open when they are in prayer.  This concept of opening one’s hands will serve as a central focus of this course as it relates to all other stages of prayer.  The book, as well as this course, is about prayer, reflection, silence, hope and a longtime spiritual journey.  All stages of prayer as described by Henri Nouwen will be discussed over this five week course. David Rodriguez, Instructor (Bios) Thursdays:  October 9 – November 6, 2008 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Classroom 2 FEE:  $20.00     WORK, THE LOST SPIRITUAL EXERCISE In a world of new age spirituality and multiple approaches to contemplation, we have lost a sense of the place of work in our spiritual lives.  This interactive course will look at the Franciscan sources in the light of the research of David Flood, O.F.M., a prominent Franciscan scholar, to rediscover the role of work in our spiritual lives, whether employment or volunteerism, in the office or at home.  Is work a curse or a blessing that leads to new graced relationships? This course will develop a contemporary Franciscan outlook on our daily work. Anthony M. Carrozzo, O.F.M., Instructor (Bios) Mondays:  October 20 – November 10, 2008 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Classroom 2 FEE:  $20.00   TRANSFORMING FEAR TO FAITH “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…” – 1 John 4:18 Of all the emotions we deal with, fear can be the most crippling.  Fear can rob us of our joy and our lives.  Though Scripture tells us many times, “Be not afraid,” we know that our Lord Jesus experienced fear. Using Biblical principles, we will look at what fear is and why it is necessary in our lives; we will focus on transforming overwhelming fear to faith and peace. Carolyn D. Townes, S.F.O., Instructor (Bios) Mondays:  October 20 – November 24, 2008 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Francis Room FEE:  $20.00     QUEST: Care Giving and Grieving  In this course the spirituality of care giving and grieving will be examined in the context of humanity’s journey toward the fulfillment of the promise of creation as presented in Romans 8: 18-25.  On any given day family members, friends and colleagues may begin living with diminishments associated with Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, heart ailments, brain dysfunctions, mental illness and other losses of health.  Some who are in the immediate circle of the person enduring the loss inherit the role of caregiver.  This course will reflect upon the experience of those who grieve because of illness and those who serve as caregivers.  The following books:  An Uncertain Inheritance (Nell Casey, editor); All Our Losses All Our Griefs, (Mitchell and Anderson); The Rebirth of the Clinic (Daniel Sulmasy, OFM, MD); Sacred Threshold (Paula D’Arcy); When People Grieve (Paula D’Arcy); Yearning (Rabbi Irwin Kula); and videos: Away From Her; Iris; My Sister’s Keeper; Savages, and Shadowlands will be used.  Placid Stroik, O.F.M., Instructor (Bios) Mondays:  October 20 – November 24, 2008 6:00 – 7:00 PM, Classroom 4 FEE:  $20.00     LIVING WITH OTHER PEOPLE Living with other people is never easy because the messages we receive and send either enhance or hinder our relationships. During our time together, we will reflect on how we learned to communicate with other people and the factors – including the art of listening – which influence how and why our relationships with family and non-family members develop and change at the transitional periods of our life.  Monica M. Magner, RN Instructor (Bios) Tuesdays:  November 4 – 25, 2008 12:00 – 1:30 PM, Classroom 3 FEE:  $20.00    YOUR SOUL AT WORK This interactive program, requiring homework, shows you that “taking your soul to work” requires four things:  finding work you love, succeeding in it, navigating successfully through very predictable transitions, and tying it to a high life purpose that meets your personal values.  Specific tools and techniques to accomplish all four are provided.  Text book cost approximately $25 is required.  It will be available from the St. Francis Bookstore. This course is meant for those dissatisfied and searching for meaning in their work, seeking work that does not compromise their values, job hoppers hoping to find the perfect job or those currently unemployed looking for worthwhile work. REGISTRATION AND COURSE FEE:  This course will be a maximum of 10 Students who must register by October 3, 2008  Carl A. Koelle, B.S., Instructor (Bios) Fridays:  November 7, 21, and December 5, 2008 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM, Clare Room - November 7 & December 5, 2008 Francis Room - November 21, 2008 FEE:  $10.00     ADVENT:  A Season of Light and Hope Take time during the busy pre-Christmas season to prepare for the sacred feast of Christmas.  Join weekly with others in reading, listening, reflecting and sharing the Word of God through the Sunday readings during Advent. (Also Offered on Tuesdays at Noon) Margaret Holden, F.S.P., Instructor (Bios) Mondays:  November 24 – December 15, 2008 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM, Classroom 2 FEE: $20.00     ADVENT:  A Season of Light and Hope Take time during the busy pre-Christmas season to prepare for the sacred feast of Christmas.  Join weekly with others in reading, listening, reflecting and sharing the Word of God through the Sunday readings during Advent. (Also Offered on Mondays in the Evening) Margaret Holden, F.S.P., Instructor (Bios) Tuesdays:  November 25 – December 16, 2008 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, Classroom 2 FEE: $20.00                                                         REGISTRATION POLICY   1.  Please try to pre-register at least one week in advance by mail or at the church office. 2.   NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF PRE-REGISTRATION WILL BE MADE BY MAIL.        You will be notified only if a course is closed. 3. Include the fee with the registration form attached. 4. Confidential Scholarships aid is available in consultation with the Director.       For Information Contact:   Fr. Kevin Tortorelli, O.F.M. Director Adult Education Center 212 736-8500 Ext. 311   MOST CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT:  Church of St. Francis of Assisi ADULT EDUCATION CENTER In the Passageway on West 31st Street Between 6th & 7th Avenues BUT SOME in the Parish House Francis Room or Clare Room SCHOOL OF ADULT EDUCATION REGRISTRATION FORM             () New Student           () Return Student Name: _______________________­­­___________________________­­­____ Address:  ________________________________________________­­­____ City/State/Zip: ___________________________________________­­­____ Phone:  Home (    ) ________________________________________­­­____ Work (    )  _______________________________________________­­­____ E-Mail:  _________________________________________________­­­____             Payment Enclosed: ­­ Cash _­­__Check ___ CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO: “ST. FRANCIS Adult Education Center” Check √ next to course (s) which you would like to attend: ◊ Place Markings/Families/Familiars:  Eudora Welty’s Fictions ◊  St. Paul’s Challenge:  Prove your Faith ◊  Search for Serenity ◊  Abandonment to Divine Providence ◊  Gospel of John:  A Guide for your Spiritual Pilgrimage ◊  Centering Prayer Workshop ◊  Francis and Islam ◊  Mysteries of the Rosary ◊  The Life and Work of Thomas Merton ◊   A Many Splendored Thing: An Intro. to the History of Christian Spirituality, Part I ◊  Praying with Henri Nouwen ◊  Work, the Lost Spiritual Exercise ◊  Transforming Fear to Faith ◊  Quest:  Care Giving and Grieving ◊  Living with other people ◊  Your Soul at Work (Maximum of 10 Students) REGISTER BY OCTOBER 3RD ◊  Advent:  A Season of Light and Hope (PM) ◊  Advent:  A Season of Light and Hope (Noon) ◊ Advent Day of Prayer (Saturday, December 13th)   FORDHAM UNIVERSITY COURSES NOTE: Anyone interested in taking Fordham University courses for credit must                            register through the University.                           Please apply:                         Secretary of the Dean                         Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education                         FORDHAM UNIVERSITY                         Keating Hall 307                         441 East Fordham Road                         Bronx, New York 10458                         TELEPHONE:  718 817-4800                         FAX:    718 817-3352   Anyone interested in auditing a course ($150) may follow the above procedure or register with the instructor in the assigned classroom on the first evening of the course.   REGR  6050 – THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS   Rev. Anthony Ciorra / Joe Nuzzi Wednesdays:  September 3 – December 10, 2008 6:15 – 8:05 PM, San Damiano Hall   Mark, Mathew and Luke with consideration of their origin, interrelationship and particular theological view.  Special attention given to the Old Testament and Jewish milieu as background of the gospel accounts.  Selected passages are studied through the use of different exegetical methods, in order to introduce the student to the task of interpretation.     REGR 6011 – THE PENTATEUCH Fr. Gerard Lair Thursdays:  September 4 – December 11, 2008 6:15 – 8:05 PM, San Damiano Hall Questions of introduction and content of the Pentateuch will be addressed with special emphasis upon themes and passages of great theological import.  Comparisons of the life, laws, literature, customs and institutions of Israel with those of the Ancient Near East will be made.  The place of the Pentateuch in the religion of Israel, the totality of Scripture and in current life will be discussed. For information contact: Fr. Kevin Tortorelli, O.F.M. Director, Adult Education Center 212-736-8500, Ext. 311