SNC awards first certification

	Get certified What: Certificate of theological competency, certificate of specialization in theology, or the Master of Theological Studies programs Where: St. Norbert College, De Pere For: Anyone interested in knowing more about theology and their faith Who: Gayle Lenz, coordinator, Master of Theological Studies at St. Norbert College, 100 Grant St., De Pere, WI 54115; or call: (920)403-3860.

St. Norbert College faculty hope more people will follow the path of Dr. Helen Scieszka, pastoral associate at Chilton Area Catholic Ministry. Scieszka has received the first Certificate of Theological Competency from the De Pere college.

The certification program started in 1992 as part of the master's program in theological studies (MTS). More than 50 persons have received master's degrees since the MTS program began in 1987, but this is the first certification to be awarded.

"There was a perceived need for people who had a theological degree, but no specialization, who needed some theological competency," said Fr. Richard Ver Bust, retired director of the MTS, who helped develop the competency certification.

Even though the program was envisioned for persons already working in professional ministry -- especially in educational settings -- Fr. Ver Bust said it didn't catch on until recently. There are two others now enrolled for certification, both -- like Scieszka -- have professional degrees in other fields and are seeking a theological foundation for ministry.

"These people come from very different walks of life and recognize a need to be up on current theology," said Howard Ebert, director of the MTS. "(The certification program) fosters a knowledge of our church's rich history. People are asking deep, complex questions about our faith and they deserve deep responses."

Certification gives ministers -- and anyone who wants to learn more about Catholicism -- the confidence to approach those complex questions.

Scieszka holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and worked in marriage, family and child counseling for 14 years. In 1998, parishioners, parish staff and Chilton's pastor, Fr. Gary New, SDS, called her forth to take the position of pastoral minister.

"Since I already had a master's and a doctorate," she said, "I didn't want another master's." However, the parish community's requirements that ministers receive pastoral training dovetailed with her own interest in credentials in theology, as well as "my own spiritual growth." All that has led her to be entrusted with the more complex role of pastoral associate at Chilton, which functions under a unified system of six area parishes.

At St. Norbert, those who enroll for certification take the six core courses in theology that master's candidates take -- courses such as Christology, scripture and historical theology -- then write a mini-thesis in an area related to their ministerial interests. Scieszka wrote a paper on contemporary religious life.

Taking the certification program has helped Scieszka "strengthen my faith and increase my spirituality" as well as meet others who are doing the same. One of the most valuable parts of the entire program -- certification or master's degree -- is "meeting other people who are doing the same work. It's really nice to be able to share stories of our ministry and share ideas."

Ebert says the certification program is open to anyone with an undergraduate degree and some theological background and, especially in a climate of renewed interest in spiritual matters, helps people "be grounded in theology."

St. Norbert also offers a certificate of specialization in specific areas of theology. This program is designed for students who already have a master's degree in theology or religious studies and wish to focus on the areas of youth ministry, religious education, pastoral ministry, spirituality or liturgy.