Theology of the New Evangelization

We are pleased to offer this wonderful opportunity to study with Douglas Bushman, S.T.L.

This is an advanced course unpacking St. John Paul II’s assertion: The goal of the new evangelization is to lead people to encounter this infinite and merciful love which the heavenly Father has poured out upon the world through his Son, Jesus Christ.

Prof. Bushman will guide participants through a reading and analysis of key magisterial documents on the New Evangelization (NE) with a view to: (1) identifying the fundamental theological principles of the NE; and (2) fashioning a theological synthesis based on the relations among these principles. Principal subjects include: the love God fully revealed in Jesus Christ as kerygma; the NE as the continuation of the mission of Jesus Christ and the fruit of the New Pentecost of Vatican II; the theological causes of the NE; the logic of the NE according to Paul VI (Ecclesiam Suam), John Paul II, and Benedict XVI; the development of John Paul II’s vocabulary and thought on the New Evangelization; the call to holiness and conversion; renewal ad intra as the prerequisite for mission ad extra; reading the signs of the times; witness; dialogue; inculturation of faith; divine mercy.

Participants will receive an Anthology of Magisterial Text on the New Evangelization and lecture notes.

Sessions will be held in the Monsignor Foran Great Room at the Church of St. Joseph
Please visit the "IMPORTANT DATES" tab above for additional information.

THEOLOGY OF THE NEW EVANGELIZATION
CHURCH OF ST. JOSEPH - MSGR. FORAN GREAT ROOM

WINTER & SPRING 2023 SESSION
Friday (7:00-9:00pm) and Saturday (9:00-11:30am)

• January 20-21
• February 10-11 and February 24-25
• March 10-11 and March 24-25
• April 14 (Friday only)  and  April 28-29

Douglas G. Bushman, S.T.L.
Director of Parish Formation and Mission

Allow me to introduce myself!
Before anything else, let me tell you that I consider my vocation to marriage and family my primary vocation. JoAnn accepted my proposal and consented to marry me in 1986. Bearing witness to Christ’s faithful love for His Bride, the Church, and passing our faith on to our children, has been our joint vocation ever since. In keeping with God’s plan, we were blessed with six children: Chara is a Second Lieutenant in the National Guard; Alicia is the homeschooling mother of four (so far!), a head swim coach, and wife of Prof. Donald Bungum, who teaches philosophy at the University of Mary; Luke, Lead Psychologist and Supervisor for MHealth Fairview Adolescent Residential Treatment Program, is married to Ashley, an All-American volley ball player and captain, who also coaches high school volley ball; they have been blessed with two children (so far!); John works as Senior Data & Report Analyst and Lead Business Solutions Analyst; Thomas is recently married to Chrystal, an elementary school teacher, and is a CPA working as Tangible Property Services Supervisor; Theresa is recipient of the Provost’s and Caldwell Fellowships, completing her doctorate in nutrition science at the University of Minnesota.

If you are like most people, you are wondering what “S.T.L.” stands for, following my name. Over the years, when my students have asked that question, I have answered: Studied Too Long! Actually, it stands for: Sacred Theology Licentiate. This is a degree granted by a pontifical faculty, that is, a faculty recognized, or accredited, by Church authority. This is meant to assure a comprehensive theological education that is entirely faithful to the Catholic Tradition. I was awarded the S.T.L. degree by the faculty of the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, following four years of rigorous study adding up to the equivalent of nearly 200 credit hours. Prior to that I completed my undergraduate degree at what was then the College of St. Thomas, in St. Paul, MN, with a B.A. in philosophy.

Guiding Principles of My Theological Service to the Church
Among many texts that I have taken as guides of my theological service to the Church, here are a few:
“Theological work in the Church is first of all at the service of the proclamation of the faith and of catechesis.” (John Paul II, Fides et ratio, 99)
“The task of a mature theology is to read the present in the light of Tradition.” (John Paul II, Homily, October 23, 1981)
“Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)
“Love alone enables one to understand the language of God, who ‘is love’ (1 Jn 4:8, 16).” (John Paul II, Address, April 23, 1993, 9).

The source of Christian joy is the certainty of being loved by God. (Benedict XVI, Address, June 5, 2006)
The whole concern of doctrine and its teaching must be directed to the love that never ends. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 25)
To present this sacred deposit of Christian doctrine in all its purity and integrity, with all its exigencies and in all its power is a holy pastoral responsibility; it is, moreover, the most sublime service we can render. (John Paul II, Address to bishops of the United States, November 9, 1978)

Highlights of My Theological Service to the Church
1982–86    Parish Theologian, St. Charles Borromeo, Northeast Minneapolis
                  Adult Faith Formation, Theological Resource for Parish Staff
1986–92   Director of Education, Catholic Diocese of Duluth
                  Adult Faith Formation, Catechist Formation, Formation for Candidates Permanent Deacons
1992–01    Director, Institute for Religious and Pastoral Studies, University of Dallas
2001–13    Director, Institute for Pastoral Theology, Ave Maria University 
2013–21    Professor, Augustine Institute, Denver

Along the way, I had the opportunity to contribute to the translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church from French into English, and to provide introductions to a republication of the documents of Vatican II (The Sixteen Documents of Vatican II. Introductions by Douglas G. Bushman, S.T.L. Boston: Pauline Books and Media, 1999). Over the years, my articles have appeared in Magnificat, Homiletic and Pastoral Review, and Catholic World Report, and I have been a guest on Catholic radio and EWTN. I have also served on the National Advisory Board for ProLife Across America, the Board for the Image of God Textbook Series, and as Theological Advisor for Sophia Institute for Teachers.