Ethan Walker
Stay the Course® is a free voluntary program provided by Catholic Charities in partnership with community colleges. The program aims to support students in overcoming non-academic obstacles that may hinder their academic journey and threaten their success. These obstacles could include housing, income, transportation, childcare, or family emergencies. Stay the Course provides students with a Navigator who helps them create a personalized path to graduation, set goals, and access community resources. The program also offers skill-building classes and workshops to enhance academic success. By addressing these challenges, Stay the Course empowers students to persist in their education, complete their degrees, and improve their long-term employment opportunities and earning potential.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Education | Identifying goals, careers/jobs, training, and courses of action |
| Support Systems | Identifying strengths and opportunities in the areas of childcare, family, transportation, housing, food, employment, legal residency, and legal aid |
| Well-being | Accessing areas of relationship health, emotions, behaviors, and mental and physical health |
| Family | Family prayer, helping others, and hugs |
| Study | Studying Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church |
| Saints | Spending time with the saints by reading books by and about them |
| Fellowship | Catholic fellowship |
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What You'll Learn
Study Scripture and Catechism of the Catholic Church
Studying Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church is an important way to stay Catholic. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a 904-page book that contains the Deposit of Faith, or Divine Revelation, the wealth of the Church. It is a valuable inheritance passed on by the Patristic Fathers, a group of early Church teachers who lived from the time of the Apostles until the 8th century. The Catechism is a reliable source for questions relating to Catholic doctrine, with numerous Scripture citations and cross-references that simplify tracking content related to particular biblical passages. It is useful for shedding light on difficult passages and avoiding misinterpretation of Scripture.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church directly relates catechesis to Bible study and prayer, emphasizing the importance of teaching about the faith. Catechesis involves teaching children, young people, and adults to meditate on the Word of God in personal prayer, practice it in liturgical prayer, and internalize it to bear fruit in a new life. It is important to understand the meaning of Scripture before using Bible passages as a basis for prayer. The Catechism also provides a framework for understanding God, as the God of Catholicism is distinct from the "cartoon versions" that are easily dismissed.
The Catechism is composed of several parts, including the Social Doctrine of the Church, Moral Life and the Magisterium of the Church, and the Sacraments. It covers a range of topics, such as economic activity, social justice, justice and solidarity among nations, love for the poor, living in the truth, moral life, the precepts of the Church, and the Sacraments of Christ and the Church.
In conclusion, studying Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church is essential for those seeking to understand and remain committed to the Catholic faith. It provides clarity on complex theological concepts, guides personal and liturgical prayer, and offers a comprehensive overview of Catholic doctrine and its scriptural foundations.
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Read books about saints
Reading books about saints is a great way to stay Catholic. Hagiography, or the study of the lives of saints, can be a fascinating and inspiring way to learn more about the Catholic faith and its teachings. With thousands of canonized saints, there is a wealth of literature to choose from, offering insight into the diverse experiences and emotions of these holy men and women.
One recommended book is 'Butler's Lives of the Saints', considered the gold standard of Saints' literature. First collated by Fr. Alban Butler in 18th-century England, it offers a comprehensive collection of saints' lives. Another suggestion is 'Saint of the Day', edited by Leonard Foley and revised by Pat McCloskey, providing a concise and convenient way to learn about different saints.
For those interested in the martyrs and holy men and women of the Church, 'The Roman Martyrology' is a must-read. It is the official church document on these holy figures and is still read during the morning prayers. The book is arranged according to the Church Calendar and provides detailed accounts of the lives and suffering of the saints, offering a deeper understanding of the mystery of suffering for the True Faith.
Other notable mentions include 'The Doctors of the Church: Thirty-Three Men and Women Who Shaped Christianity' by Bernard McGinn, which explores the term "doctor" in the context of teachers of the Church, and 'Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father' by Donald H. Calloway, which delves into the life and teachings of St. Joseph.
Through reading about the saints, you can gain encouragement, wisdom, and a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith. These books can provide a unique perspective on the human experience within the context of Catholicism and inspire you to live a more faithful and fulfilling life.
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Understand God through philosophy
Philosophy can be a powerful tool for understanding God and deepening one's Catholic faith. While it is true that we cannot fully comprehend God, as St. Augustine said, "If you understand it, it is not God", philosophical arguments can provide evidence for God's existence and help us grasp the God described by Catholic theology.
One approach to understanding God through philosophy is natural theology, endorsed by the Catholic Church. Natural theology uses reason and observations from the natural world to discern truths about God. For example, the First Vatican Council declared, "If anyone says that the one, true God, our creator and lord, cannot be known with certainty from the things that have been made, by the natural light of human reason: let him be anathema." This statement affirms the validity of using human reason and the evidence of creation to know and understand God.
Eastern Orthodox philosopher Richard Swinburne describes natural theology as reasoning about God from propositions that both theists and atheists can recognize as true. Similarly, Christian philosopher William Lane Craig argues against presuppositionalism, the idea that we must start with the assumption of God to understand anything. Instead, he suggests that we can use our rational thought to come to knowledge of God's existence.
Another philosophical argument for God's existence is based on the concept of necessity. In modal logic, a necessary being is one that has to exist, while a possible being may or may not exist. The argument suggests that God is a necessary being with complete possession of great-making properties like power, knowledge, and existence. These properties have intrinsic maximums, meaning they are not incremental but rather exist in their totality. Therefore, God, as a necessary being, possesses all power, all knowledge, and perfect existence.
Philosophical reason can also be applied to apologetics, a branch of theology that aims to demonstrate the rationality of Christian beliefs to unbelievers. While not all Christian beliefs can be proven through reason alone, philosophical arguments can support certain tenets, such as God's existence and moral duties like not killing innocent people. Furthermore, philosophy can address objections and obstacles to religious belief, making it more accessible to those seeking understanding.
In conclusion, philosophy plays a crucial role in understanding God within Catholicism. By employing reason, natural theology, and philosophical arguments, we can deepen our faith and gain a more profound comprehension of the divine.
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Identify goals, careers, and training
Setting goals is an important aspect of staying the course. It is important to keep goals attainable and not take on too many things at once. A good way to start is by evaluating what has worked in the past and building on that. For example, if you have been steadily paying off a credit card or other debt, continue working toward that goal.
Stay the Course® is a program that helps students identify their goals, careers, and training. It is a collaboration between Catholic Charities and community colleges in different states that provides comprehensive case management and support services to students. The program aims to help students persist in school and obtain their degrees or certificates. The program identifies and helps students deal with life obstacles such as loss of housing, drop in income, transportation or childcare challenges, or family emergencies that may impact their ability to stay enrolled in school.
The program provides students with a "Navigator" who helps them create a personalized path to graduation. The Navigator assists students in identifying their educational goals and potential barriers to their success. They also provide referrals and linkages to community supports and services to address these barriers. The Navigator helps students become familiar with the college system and provides support and encouragement when the student feels overwhelmed.
The program also utilizes a Strengths Map to help students understand their opportunities for growth and recognize their unique strengths. The map helps students set goals and develop concrete action plans. For example, a student in the program, Jacob, set the goal of securing a job with a stable income. With the help of his Navigator, he was able to create a polished resume and was on track to apply for the job he wanted.
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Support systems for students
For students to stay Catholic in college, Catholic Digest and National Catholic Register offer some suggestions. These include knowing your faith, toughening up, making good friends, and loving Jesus Christ with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. It is also recommended to study Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, as well as reading books by and about the saints.
Catholic Social Services (CSS) provides support for students struggling to complete their degrees through their Stay the Course® (STC) program. The program helps students identify their strengths and opportunities in various areas, such as childcare, family, transportation, housing, food, employment, and legal aid. It also focuses on well-being, including relationship health, emotions, behaviors, and mental and physical health. The Strengths Map is a crucial tool in this process, helping students recognize their unique strengths and opportunities for growth, setting goals, and developing concrete action plans.
Additionally, prayer books like Kerry Weber's "Keeping the Faith: Prayers for College Students" can be a valuable resource for students to connect with their faith and navigate the challenges of college life.
For younger students, the CatholicHOM (Households on Mission) App provides Catholic parenting coaches, downloadable activities, training videos, and podcasts for parents. The app also offers a community of families supporting each other in their faith journey.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some suggestions on how to stay Catholic in college:
- Know your faith, toughen up, make good friends, and love Jesus Christ with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
- Study Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
- Read books by and about saints.
According to America Magazine, the secret to raising kids that stay Catholic is family prayer, helping others, and hugs. Catholic parents can also subscribe to the CatholicHOM app, which provides daily access to Catholic parenting coaches and a wealth of resources.
Stay the Course® is a free voluntary program provided by Catholic Charities in partnership with community colleges. The program assigns a "Navigator" to help students overcome obstacles outside of the classroom that might impact their ability to stay enrolled and complete their degrees.
