The Passionists
of Holy Cross Province
and St. Paul of the Cross Province
The Office of Mission Effectiveness
Holy Cross Province and St. Paul of the Cross Province are delighted to share with you this second year of our e-learning program. This complimentary Passionist Family Formation e-Learning helps to deepen our understanding and appreciation of our Christian faith as we focus on themes of theology, ethics, prayer and worship.
This portal provides you with an access page for each class. Click on the red link which says, For session specifics click here. You will then access the page for the specific class. The Zoom Link for this session will be listed on this page. Additionally, each instructor is different. Some give preparation materials for you to read before the class begins. Others may have reflection questions for you to think about after the class ends. Lastly, a recording of the class will be posted on their respective pages the following day.
Robin Ryan is a Passionist priest of St. Paul of the Cross Province and theologian who serves as Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and Director of the Master of Arts in Theology program. He earned a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts degrees at Catholic Theological Union and his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He is the author or editor of several books, including God and the Mystery of Human Suffering. Robin is a popular speaker at retreats, workshops and conferences throughout the country.
Michael Downey is the first layperson to receive the Ph.D. in Theology from The Catholic University of America. He has served as professor of theology and spirituality at universities and seminaries in the US and abroad. He currently teaches periodically on the graduate faculty of The Catholic Institute of Vietnam in Saigon. He continues to work extensively with enclosed contemplative communities in the US, France, and Vietnam. Author or editor of nearly 20 books and recipient of three honorary doctorates, he was awarded the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice by John Paul II.
Steve Bevans is a priest of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and is Professor of Mission and Culture, Emeritus, at Catholic Theological Union. He has taught and lectured in many parts of the world and has written and edited over twenty books. He is currently finishing a book on the church entitled: Community of Missionary Disciples: The Continuing Creation of the Church.
For session specifics click here.
Session 4 - January 12, 2023
Personal Ethics
Paul Wadell, Phd
From 2000 to 2010, Paul Wadell was coordinator for faculty and staff development of St. Norbert’s Faith, Learning & Vocation program. Previously, Wadell taught for many years at Catholic Theological Union. His principal areas of scholarly interest include virtue ethics, the role of friendship in the moral life, and theological and ethical dimensions of vocation. He is the author of a number of books, including “Happiness and the Christian Moral Life: An Introduction to Christian Ethics (2007),” “Becoming Friends: Worship, Justice, and the Practice of Christian Friendship (2002),” and “Friendship and the Moral Life (1989).” Wadell also contributed chapters to several volumes on theology and ethics and has written numerous articles for both scholarly and popular theological journals. Wadell earned a B.A. in English from Bellarmine College in Louisville, a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in theology from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and a Ph.D. in theology from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.He retired in 2021 as Professor of Theology and Religious Studies, St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin.
For session specifics click here.
Session 5- February 9, 2023
Social Ethics of the Prophets
Dianne Bergant, CSA
Dianne Bergant, a Sister of St. Agnes of Fond du Lac, WI. is the Carroll Stuhlmueller, C.P.,Distinguished Professor Emerita of Old Testament Studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She served fulltime on the faculty of CTU from 1978 to 2014. She continues to serve there as an adjunct faculty member. She was President of the Catholic Biblical Association of America (2000-1) and the Rev. Robert J. Randall Distinguished Professor of Christian Culture, Providence College, Providence, RI . (2009-2010). She was a member of the editorial board of The Bible Today for twenty-five years, five of which she served as general editor and Old Testament book reviewer for fifteen years.
For session specifics click here.
Robin Ryan is a Passionist priest of St. Paul of the Cross Province and theologian who serves as Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and Director of the Master of Arts in Theology program. He earned a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts degrees at Catholic Theological Union and his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He is the author or editor of several books, including God and the Mystery of Human Suffering. Robin is a popular speaker at retreats, workshops and conferences throughout the country.
This program draws on Provinces’collaboration with Catholic Theological Union (CTU) in Chicago. Passionist seminarians have attended CTU since its beginning in 1968 and many Passionists have enjoyed sabbaticals there. Holy Cross Province has sponsored laity for a week at CTU for its Summer Institute in June and sponsored individuals who desire to pursue a CTU pastoral degree (Master of Arts in Ministry) for ministry in the Province. We look forward to these programs continuing, complemented by our new series of educational and formational opportunities.