Appropriating: To take for ones own use;
to render suitable.
Faith: A firm belief in
what another states, affirms or testifies simply on the ground of his truth or veracity;
especially (as distinguished from mere belief), practical dependence on a person,
statement or thing as trustworthy; the assent of the mind or understanding to the truth of
what God has revealed; belief in the testimony of God as contained in the scriptures.
Appropriating the faith is
a program designed for those people who want to develop an ongoing understanding of their
faith by way of thoughtful reception of the gospel tradition, critical reflection
on its message, for the purposes of strengthening personal conversion to Christ and
his Church.
Appropriating the Faith is topically divided into the following
four theological sections covering the essentials of the faith:
- The Notion of God and the Nature of Revelation
- The Jesus of History and the Christ of Faith
- The Sacraments: Signs of Faith and Grace
- Contemporary Catholic Moral and Social Thought
This program is offered by Fr. Jude Eli, O.P. He has been a member
of the Dominican Order since 1964. His educational background consists of having earned
degrees in the disciplines of cultural anthropology, philosophy, and theology. Having
studied at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Fr. Eli has also done sabbatical
work in the areas of Biblical archeology and Judaica in Jerusalem, a well as adult
education and systematic theology at the American College in Leuven, Belgium. Teaching
since 1970, mostly on the collegiate level, Fr. Eli began his itinerant preaching and
adult catechesis program in 1994, which serves seven western states and parts of Canada.
Fr. Eli offers his program in a variety of formats. The whole
program may be offered over the course of two weeks, or a part of the program may be
offered over the course of one week. He also offers a week of catechesis based on the RCIA
Lectionary cycle, and a one or two week program based on the Catechism of the Catholic
Church. Finally, Fr. Eli also offers a weekend of catechesis on any of the above
topics.
If you would like more information on Fr. Jude Eli's program, you may contact:
Western Dominican Province
APPROPRIATING THE FAITH
5877 Birch Ct.
Oakland, CA 94618-1626
