By Voice staff

Advanced certificate courses for lay Catholics interested in learning more about the Church’s teaching in human sexuality, social justice, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, begin this month on the campus of Holy Names University in Oakland.

The courses, which start Jan. 16, will be held one Saturday per month from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Costs range from $20 to $55 per class.

A five-part series on human sexuality will examine Pope John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body.” The course will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 16, Feb. 13, March 13, April 24 and May 8. The cost is $20 per class or $95 for all five sessions.. After completing the course, students will be equipped to lead a study group in their own parish. The instructor is Ed Hopfner, diocesan Marriage and Family Life coordinator.

A second five-part series is designed for students pursuing a certificate in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Workshops in this monthly series are recommended for students involved in adult faith formation, the liturgy or in helping others prepare for the sacraments. Classes are held from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., for the prayer course, and from 1 to 3:30 p.m. for Christian Mysteries course. The cost is $55 per class or $275 for all five classes, including an optional June 12 practicum. Students may take one or all five courses. The instructors are Father Anthony Hernandez, a Byzantine Catholic, and Edie Black, who holds a master of divinity degree.

Another monthly series, in the form of specialized workshops, will allow students to delve into the biblical foundations of justice, pursue a deeper understanding of Catholic social teaching, and help promote the development of leadership skills in social ministry.

For more information, contact Sandra Martinez at smartinez@oakdiocese.org or (510) 267-8371, or visit www.oakdiocese.org/pastoral.

The series begins Jan. 16 with an examination of the biblical foundations for justice, taught by Deacon Matt Dulka. Jesuit Father Michael O’Neil will explore issues of global justice on Feb. 13. On March 13 there will be lectures on the historic development of Catholic Social Teaching.

Dominican Father Michael Sweeney will provide a systematic approach to understanding social theology on April 24. Rich Fowler will discuss how to form thriving social ministry in parishes on May 8 and Claudia Albano will present the principles of community organizing and their application to parishes on June 12.

Each lecture will take place from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Students may take one or all of the courses which cost $20 per day or $95 for all six courses. These courses are being coordinated by the social justice office within the diocesan Department of Evangelization and Catechesis.

The office is also planning a conference on global solidarity on Feb. 13 at Holy Names University.

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