Catholic Scripture Study: Online High School Classes

Homeschool Connections, THE Catholic online curriculum provider, offers a wide variety of excellent theology courses. These courses can be taken as live, interactive courses or as recorded, independent-study courses. We offer apologetics, Thomistic philosophy, moral theology, Theology of the Body, and so, so much more.

Here are just two of our live, interactive courses coming up for the 2014/2015 school year. These courses give high school students an excellent working knowledge of Scripture so that they can know, love, and defend their Catholic faith:

Reading the Old Testament

(click on title to register)

Class dates: Mondays, October 6 to December 1, 2014.
Total classes: 9
Starting time: 2:30 pm Eastern (1:30 Central; 12:30 Mountain; 11:30 Pacific)
Duration: 1 hour per class
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: ½ semester Theology. For a full credit, add another theology course.
Fee: $105 if you register on or before August 1, 2014. $120 after Aug. 1st for all 8 classes.
Instructor: Robert Gotcher, Ph.D.
Course description: The Old Testament is the record of God’s initial interaction with His Creation and the human race and His preparation the People of God for the coming of the Messiah. This course will focus on the historical development of Israel from the patriarchs to the Maccabees. We will emphasize methods for reading a passage so as to more fully grasp God’s message for us.
Course outline:
Class 1: Overview
Class 2: OT understanding of God
Class 3: OT understanding of man
Class 4: OT understanding of cosmology (nature)
Class 5: Common words in the OT
Class 6: Marriage and family in the OT
Class 7: History of Israel from creation to the Roman occupation
Class 8: Christ in the OT
Class 9: Review
Course materials: Catholic Bible
Homework: Online readings from Bible. There will be a short online quiz after each class period based on reading and class material. Final exam graded by the instructor.

Reading the New Testament

(click on title to register)

Class dates: Mondays, March 2 to May 4, 2015. No class April 6.
Total classes: 9
Starting time: 2:30 Eastern (1:30 Central; 12:30 Mountain; 11:30 Pacific)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: ½ semester Theology
Fee: $105 if you register on or before November 15, 2014. $120 after Nov. 15th for all 8 classes.
Instructor: Robert Gotcher, Ph.D.
Course description:
Course outline:
Class 1 What is the NT?
Class 2 Studying and praying with the NT
Class 3 Genres of NT books, Gospel, gesta, letters, apocalypse
Class 4 Common terms in the NT
Class 5 More terms
Class 6 NT geography
Class 7 NT culture
Class 8 NT history
Class 9 The writing of the NT
Course materials: Catholic Bible
Homework: Quiz after each session. Write a final paper about a passage from the NT. All homework graded by the instructor.

These two courses are also available recorded through our Unlimited Access program.

Instructor biography: Dr. Robert Gotcher is an independent educator and scholar. He has taught at a major seminary, graduate and undergraduate students, lay ministry students, diaconal candidates, and high school students, both online and in the classroom. He and his wife, Kathy, are raising their seven children in Franklin, Wisconsin. Dr. Gotcher has been actively involved in the homeschooling of his children, especially in junior and high school. He has taught Latin, literature, physics, astronomy, and religion to homeschooled students. He has a special devotion to the classical trivium of grammar, logic, and rhetoric, especially as they pertain to the written arts. Dr. Gotcher graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. in the Program of Liberal Studies. He received his M.A. in Theology of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul and his Ph.D. from Marquette University.
          Dr. Gotcher teaches literature, theology, and formal logic for Homeschool Connections.

Fr. Mitch Pacwa Bible Course for Adults

Homeschool Connections is branching out. We are very excited to announce our newest venture, Aquinas Connections which now offers courses designed just for adults. Our first course is with none other than Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., President of Ignatius Productions who is best known for his appearances on EWTN television and radio. This course is limited to 30 attendees so don't wait too long to register (click on the title below).

Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem In St. Luke’s Gospel

Course dates: Mondays, August 2 to September 13, 2010. No class Sept. 6 due to Labor Day holiday.
Total classes: 6
Starting time: 9:30 pm, Eastern (8:30 pm. Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Fee: $125 for all six classes
Instructor: Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J.

Course description:
In Luke 9:51 Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem, and mention of his destination is repeated in 13:22, 17:11, and 18:34, with allusions to the journey in 9:57, 10:38, 11:53, 14:25. This journey links the beginning of Christ’s public ministry with its purpose in his death and resurrection. During this Year of Cycle C Readings, the Church presents readings from this unit of the Gospel, from the Thirteenth through the Thirtieth Sundays in Ordinary Time. It is easy to hear each episode during the Sunday readings, but that would miss seeing the unity of these episodes and their function within the message of the whole Gospel. This course will limit itself to examining the Journey to Jerusalem. While the individual units of the Gospel will be examined in as much detail as is possible, the focus will be on making the links between each unit and the theme of the Journey, as well as the connections with other parts of the Gospel of St. Luke.

Course materials: A Catholic Bible. To enjoy this course completely, a careful reading of Luke 9:51-18:34 before the first class is recommended.
Optional materials: Here are some popular commentaries on St. Luke recommended by Fr. Pacwa if you would like to have some aids:
The Human face of Jesus: Meditation and Commentary on the Gospel of Luke (out of print but available for as little as $1 used).
Luke: A Devotional Commentary (out of print but available for as little as $2.25 used).
A more technical (some knowledge of Greek would be useful), yet quite excellent, commentary: John Nolland, Luke 9:21-18:34 Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas, Texas: Word Books, Publisher 1993).
Equipment requirements: Students are required to have high-speed internet. A headset with microphone is recommended. If you don't have a headset, you at least need speakers.
Availability of recorded classes: Recordings of classes are provided to students within 24 hours and available for 6 months for your review. Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the recording and/or course contents in any form is strictly prohibited.

Instructor's biography:
Father received his B.A. in Philosophy and Theology from the University of Detroit, summa cum laude. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1976 with the Society of Jesus and then continued his studies and received his Master of Divinity and S.T.B. from the Jesuit School of Theology of Loyola University, magna cum laude. At Vanderbilt University, he received his Master of Arts, Ph.D. in Old Testament. Father Pacwa is fluent in twelve languages and has a unique understanding of the peoples and cultures of the Middle East.

He has taught at the high school, university, and seminary levels. Being a well-known biblical scholar, he has lectured at hundreds of conferences and churches around the world. He is best known for his appearances on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), where he currently hosts two programs – “Threshold of Hope” and “EWTN LIVE.” Father Pacwa also serves as the weekly host of EWTN Radio “OPEN LINE” program.

In the year 2000, Father Pacwa established Ignatius Productions, a Catholic media production apostolate, whose mission is to teach people the scriptures, educate Catholics about their Faith, and promote unity and understanding within the Mystical Body of Christ. Father has recently announced that Ignatius Productions will raise funds for a much needed unique ten part documentary on the history of the Reformation. Check out www.fathermitchpacwa.org to see a short preview.

Father Mitch Pacwa appears courtesy of Ignatius Productions to share with you his knowledge of scripture and the Church. Father Pacwa’s teachings and travels are available as CDs and DVDs on his web site at www.fathermitchpacwa.org. There you’ll find a list of all his available teachings, his calendar of upcoming events, free PACWACASTS as well as information about his video production company. You may also sign up for his monthly newsletter that brings you Father Pacwa's “Words of Wisdom” on a variety of subjects.

Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem In St. Luke’s Gospel

Catholic Homeschool Mom Bible Study

Register for Meet & Greet Webinar

Register for Bible Study for Homeschool Moms

Is it a challenge for you to make it to your local Bible study or prayer group? Attend a mother’s study group in the comfort of your home! Join other homeschooling mothers for an online interactive webinar twice a month as we prayerfully reflect on and discuss a book selection designed to inspire us and challenge us in our vocations. Emily Crawford and Jenny Bales will be co-leading this exciting new group!

This fall’s selection is Chosen and Cherished: Biblical Wisdom for Your Marriage by Kimberly Hahn. This is the first in her series of Bible studies based on Proverbs 31. This particular book focuses specifically on verses 10-12. Her audio series on Proverbs 31, More Precious Than Jewels: How to Be a Godly Wife and Mother, has been extremely popular among Catholic and all Christian mothers for well over a decade! Our discussions on this book will be united by our common vocation as homeschooling mothers. In our busy days as mothers and teachers of our children, sometimes our husbands can be overlooked or unappreciated. It is our hope that this study group will inspire each of us to place a new priority on our marriage, giving our children one of the most valuable lessons we can, as we witness the beauty of a holy marriage.

Every other Thursday evening, September 3 through November 12, we will gather in prayer to discuss two chapters of the book, which mothers are asked to read before each meeting. The discussion questions at the back of the book will provide structure for our conversations. Mothers are asked to participate both in the online chat and audio components of the technology, so it is requested that each mother have a headset with microphone. A donation of $10.00 to a Scholarship Fund sponsored by Homeschool Connections will ensure committed participation by the mothers throughout the sessions. (This donation will be donated to a scholarship fund that will benefit Catholic homeschool students attending Catholic universities. Due to services rendered this is not tax deductible.)

You can sign up below for the study group now and/or sign up to attend a free informational Meet & Greet Webinar on Thursday, August 20 at 8:30PM ET to learn more about the technology and the group. Please contact Emily and Jenny at heartofacatholicmom@gmail.com with any questions.

Register for Meet & Greet Webinar

Register for Bible Study for Homeschool Moms