Rev Tom Courses

Courses led by Rev. Thomas Santa C.Ss.R.

Intro to Church History: 1st 1000 Years
The Catholic Church Story, The First One-thousand Years: a narrative re-telling of the history of the people and events that formed our Catholic Community. It is a presentation that attempts not only to present historical facts and figures but also, perhaps even more importantly, to interpret what may have happened and to place the story of the Church into a theological and historical context which helps to answer the question: “Has it always been this way?” The emphasis on this first
presentation is the first three centuries of the church, particularly the struggle of the early Christian community to fully comprehend what it means to be a Christian.

Intro to Church History: 2nd 1000 Years
This presentation picks up where the first presentation concludes in the re-telling of the Catholic Church story. In this second presentation particular emphasis is placed on the year 1500 as pivotal, particularly the story of the Reformation. It is a presentation that attempts not only to present historical facts and figures but also, perhaps even more importantly, to interpret what may have happened and to place the story of the Church into a theological and historical context which helps to answer the question: “Has it always been this way?”

Intro to Contemplative Prayer
A basic introduction to the practice of contemplative prayer and contemplative living. The presentation is rooted in traditional Catholic practice and discipline but presented with a more contemporary emphasis. Suitable for any person who desires to learn something more about their spiritual journey. The content will follow the outline of his book: Christian Contemplative Living: The Essential Connecting Points, which will be available for purchase.

Intro to the Historical Jesus
One of the most important theological and anthropological studies of our contemporary age is the search for the historical Jesus. The gospel portraits of Jesus present to us the Christ of faith but who is the historical Jesus? Anthropology and archeology have filled in some of the blanks and what emerges is a compelling portrait of the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth who lived in the first century of the common age.