Marriage, Family and Sexuality
Fall 2010
Rev. Edward J. Richard, MS
Office: Room 107; Hours, 10:30 AM-12:00 PM M,W, also by appointment
Phone: 314-792-6107
Course Description:
An investigation of authentic Catholic thought on the family and human sexuality, and an introduction to Natural Fertility Care for clergy. Envisioned outcomes; a familiarity with the anatomy, physiology, and theology of the body in the context of conjugal love; a knowledge and understanding of the virtues of family life and sexuality as found in Tradition and Scripture, and as presented in the teaching documents of the Church; an understanding of the relationship between conscience and truth in sexual ethics; an understanding of the relationship between life and love in sexuality and marriage, with special emphasis on the role of the modern science of Natural Fertility Care in the maintenance of the conjugal relationship. This course is conducted in collaboration with the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction, Omaha, Nebraska, the leading center for the scientific study of Natural Fertility Regulation and Care in the United States. Medical consultants, educators, and practitioners of Natural Fertility Care participate in the presentation of materials. At the conclusion of the course, students will receive a certificate issued jointly by Kenrick School of Theology and the Pope Paul VI Institute, Omaha.
Textbooks:
John Paul II. Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body. Trans., Michael Waldstein. Boston: Pauline Books and Media, 2006.
Lawler, Ronald, Joseph Boyle and William E. May. Catholic Sexual Ethics. Huntington: Our Sunday Visitor, 1985.
Hilgers, Thomas W. Creighton Model Fertility Care System: An Authentic Language of a Woman's Health and Fertility. 5th Ed. Omaha: Pope Paul VI Institute, 2001.
Documents:
Pius XI. Casti Connubii, 1931.
Pius XII. Address to (Italian) Midwives, 1951.
Paul VI. Humanae Vitae, 1968.
John Paul II. Familiaris Consortio, 1981.
John Paul II. Mulieris Dignitatem, 1988.
John Paul II. Letter to Families, 1994.
Congregation for the Family. Preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage, 1996.
Other Resources:
Hogan, Richard M., and John M. LeVoir. Covenant of Love: Pope John Paul II on Sexuality, Marriage, and Family in the Modern World. San Francisco: Ingnatius, 1992.
Shivanandan, Mary. Crossing the Threshold of Love: A New Vision of Marriage. Washington: CUA, 1999.
Garcia, Ramon. Marriage and the Family in the Documents of the Magisterium. San Francisco: Ignatius, 1993.
Smith, Janet. Humane Vitae, A Generation Later. Washington: CUA, 1991.
Wilson, Mercedes A. Love and Family: Rasing a Traditional Family in a Secular World. San Francisco: Ignatius, 1996.
Noonan, John T., Jr. Contraception: A History of Its Treatment by the Catholic Theologians and Canonists. Cambridge: Harvard University, 1966.
Hilgers, Thomas W. The NaPro Technology Revolution: Unleashing the Power in a Woman's Cycle. Beaufort, 2010.
Course format: lecture and discussion.
Grading: Students will be graded according to the scale in the Kenrick School of Theology Catalogue. There will be a mid-term examination covering Casti connubii, Address to the Midwives, Humanae vitae, introduction to Creighton model and other related matters which will be indicated on the study guide. At the end of the class students will present a 7-8 minute presentation in the form of a homily. The Mid-term counts for 50%; homily, 30%, class pariticpation, 20%. Class participation will be graded on the basis of interest shown in the material through questions and participation in discussions.