Pre-Theology Studies
The Pre-Theology program is designed to serve those
persons who seek to meet prerequisites for entering graduate theological
study whether the prerequisites are those of Oblate School of Theology,
the Program of Priestly Formation, or those of another institution
of higher learning. Through this program the School “provides
education for the church’s mission and ministry in the world.” This
it does “in cooperation with formation communities and other
ecclesial and societal institutions” such as other institutions
of higher learning and cultural institutes such as the Mexican American
Cultural Center (MACC).
Admission Requirements
Pastoral Lay Ministry
In response to the call of the Bishops and the Second
Vatican Council to encourage the laity to play an active role in
the church, Oblate School of Theology has established two certificate
programs for lay leadership formation, the Lay Ministry Institute
and the Instituto de Formación Pastoral/ Pastoral Formation
Institute. Both programs can be completed in two years.
Admission Requirements
Lay Ministry Institute
Lay Ministry Institute (LMI) may be taken for either
certificate or undergraduate credit and is often the starting point
for those who intend to pursue a professional degree. The LMI offers
opportunities for professional continuing education and personal
spiritual renewal to those serving in church and society. Persons
completing this two year program are in compliance with the National
Certification Standards for Pastoral Ministers.
The LMI is a two year program of ministry formation.
Building upon a participant’s basic understanding of the Catholic
faith, this program is taught at an undergraduate level. The LMI
also teaches lay leadership skills and helps prepare students for
collaborative ministry in the parish or other ministry settings.
Both years of study are conducted on the OST campus.
Application
Instituto de Formación Pastoral/ Pastoral
Formation Institute (IFP/PFI)
The Instituto de Formación Pastoral/
Pastoral Formation Institute is a two year program of basic adult
faith formation – a tool for evangelization and catechesis.
The first year is designed to give participants a foundational
understanding of the Catholic faith. The second year of the IFP/PFI
includes basic pastoral skills. It is offered in English and
Spanish; it is referred to by both its Spanish and English names.
As an outreach Ministry of Oblate School of Theology, the first
year is conducted in a parish setting and the second year takes
place on the OST campus.
Continuing Education
Current Offerings
Continuing Education at Oblate School of
Theology provides a variety of learning opportunities to active
ministers and laity who are interested in updating their theology
and keeping abreast with developments in the Church. Oblate’s
faculty offers short courses, seminars, workshops and lectures
during the fall and spring semesters and during summer school.
Visiting faculty and resource persons are also invited to make
presentations. Subjects include a wide range of topics related
to spirituality, scripture, contemporary social issues and pastoral
skills. One C.E.U. (Continuing Education Unit) can be awarded
for attending 10 clock hours of a Continuing Education offering.
The School provides a certificate verifying attendance.
Hispanic Summer Program
Hispanic Summer Program Oblate School of
Theology is one of the sponsors of the Hispanic Summer Program,
which takes place for two weeks every summer at a different site
in the United States or Puerto Rico. Hispanic students and others
who are bilingual and who are interested in Hispanic ministries,
may attend this academic program and take a maximum of two courses
for two credits each. Courses in the Hispanic Summer Program
cover a wide range of the theological curriculum, and are always
taught from the perspective of the Latino church.
Renewal Ministries
Oblate Renewal Center In an effort to consolidate resources
and give greater cohesion to the diverse and complementary
ministries on the School campus,
Oblate Renewal Center (formerly Casa San José) has merged with Oblate
School of Theology. The Renewal Center’s address is 5700 Blanco Road,
San Antonio, Texas 78216-6615. (210) 349-4173. Fax: (210) 349-4281.
Ever responsive to the signs of the times, Oblate
School of Theology is focusing more clearly on the ministry of
all baptized Christians to transform their world guided by the
spirit of the Gospels.
Oblate School provides the guidance, resources
and support for programs of the Oblate Renewal Center (ORC),
which helps all people understand their relationships to Christ
and His Church; what it means to be rooted in Gospel values and
how to live those values.
The Oblate Renewal Center provides a place and
an environment in which people can personally experience the
presence of Jesus, the Christ, in their lives and their world.
The Renewal facility is located directly west of the campus and
affords spiritual accompaniment, retreats, conferences, workshops
and seminars in response to the needs of the local Church.
Oblate Renewal Center upholds its long tradition
of welcoming a wide variety of ecumenical groups, and those people
who are not already being reached by the Church, giving distinctive
emphasis to the regional reality of the Southwest United States.
Oblate Renewal Center coordinates and provides
one of the major marriage preparation programs for the Archdiocese
of San Antonio, Engaged Encounter.
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