a Live online course

Faith and Film: Finding God at the Movies 
"Great stories are concerned with nothing less than the whole point of living" (Joseph Conrad). Yet a distinctive mark of today's movies is the presence of the absence of God. We will discuss a sample of movies which portray what is left of our human aspirations after God is forgotten, and show why a spiritual awakening is essential to human happiness. Helping others to come to this realization – to find God “in the dark” – is at the heart of our mission of evangelization.
 

About the teachers
 

Dr. Margaret Turek

Dr. Margaret Turek is originally from the Midwest. She earned a B.A. at the University of San Francisco where she studied in the St. Ignatius Institute, an M.A. at the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology, and a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. Prior to her graduate studies, she received spiritual formation as a Carmelite for six years. Dr. Turek's scholarly interests include Trinitarian theology, Soteriology, and the re-integration of Dogmatic Theology and Spirituality. Before joining the faculty at STPSU in 2001, she was a tenured Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at the University of Dallas. She also teaches in the Deacon Formation Program for the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Diocese of Oakland.
 

Dr. Anthony Lilles

Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy since 1994, and now is the academic dean of St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park.  Having served the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as Academic Dean and associate professor of theology at St. John’s Seminary, he holds a BA in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, and has both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). He was a founding faculty member of Saint John Vianney Seminary in Denver where he also served as academic dean and coordinator of spiritual formation for the permanent deacon program. He has published Hidden Mountain Secret Garden, Omaha: Discerning Hearts (2012) and Fire from Above: Christian Contemplation and Mystical Wisdom, Manchester: Sophia (2016).
 

Fr. Larry Herrrera, S.J.

Fr. Herrera studied for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for six years and then entered the Society of Jesus. After ordination, he worked as a parish priest in Hollywood, California. After studies in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures at Yale, he moved into neuropsychology and worked at the Neuropsychiatric Institute at UCLA with the Brain Injury Research Center.  He served at St. John’s Seminary College for 8 years and was the Director of Spiritual Formation, Senate president and chair of the Social Sciences Department. He was Director of Spiritual Formation and Psychological Services at the Pontifical College Josephinum and was spiritual father at the Collegio Bellarmino in Rome for three years. He was director of the Centro Joseph Ratzinger in Rome while working with the Ratzinger Stiftung.  He has taught Psychology and Theology as well as Greek and Latin for the Pontifical Anselmo, the Pontifical Santa Croce, and the Gregorian University in Rome. He served seven years as a Spiritual Director at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He has extensive experience with retreats for seminarians.
 

Frequently Asked Questions:

When do these online courses take place?
Classes will be held on four consecutive Tuesday evenings at 7 P.M - 8:30 P.M. beginnning on July 14th.  Please login to the course 15 minutes prior to ensure that your camera and microphone are working properly so that we can begin class in a timely manner.

• First meeting, July 14:       Dr. Turek on Gravity & Ad Astra
• Second meeting, July 21:  Dr. Turek on Groundhog Day & The Giver
• Third meeting, July 28:      Dr. Anthony Lilles
• Fourth meeting, Aug. 4:     Fr. Larry Herrera

What kind of computer do I need to attend?
Our course will be made interactive using a free video conferencing software called "Zoom".  It is very to install and even easier to use.  Typically, any inernet connected PC or Mac that is under 10 years old will work.  You can also login to the course using a smart phone or personal device like an iPad.  If you don't have a computer, you can also call in to the course.  However, we highly recommend you use a computer as this course will include visuals that you will not be able to see if you call in.  For a list of full requirements, visit here.

Will there be quizes, tests, or grades?
Be at peace!  There will be no graded tests, though there may be some optional quizes for those who like to measure their knowledge retention!

If I can't make a class, will the lectures be available online later?
Yes.  All courses will be recorded so that you can watch or re-watch at a later time.  The classes will be available to view for two weeks after the class takes place.

Can I get college credit for this course?
This will be a non-credit course.  However, in the very near future we will be partnering with St. Patrick Seminary to provide course credits that can be used towards a certificate in Pastoral Leadership.

How much does this course cost?
Four weeks of online courses will cost $20 per person.

Are scholarships or grants available? 
Yes. We have included in our registration payment form an option for persons who have the means to sponsor persons who cannot afford to enroll in this course.  Please email Deacon Fred Totah and explain to him your extraordinary circumstances that would make you unable to pay for this course.

What is the School of Pastoral Leadership?
The Archdiocese of San Francisco will relaunch the School of Pastoral Leadership this Fall.  The School will help form lay leaders in the Church to be effective catechists and evangelizers in the San Francisco Bay Area through providing quality college-level courses.  These courses can count towards a certificate.

What if I have questions that aren't listed here?
Feel free to reach out to Deacon Fred Totah, Director of the Office of Pastoral Ministry by email or calling (415) 614-5504.

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