christian worship - praytellblog...•i will do my best not to waste your time and to help you learn...

Christian WorshipFall 2018

Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB

Who is Fr. Anthony?

- Monk- Priest- Grew up on farm in Franklin, Minnesota- Johnnie – ’86 and ‘93- Professor of liturgy and liturgical music – undergrad and grad- University trustee- Organist, Abbey music director, Gregorian chant specialist- Founder of National Catholic Youth Choir summer camp- Blogger at Pray Tell (Liturgical Press)

Who is this course for?

ALL ARE WELCOME!

- church-going Catholics;

- church-going Protestants and other Christians;

- members of non-Christian religions;

- non-churchgoers;

- people who grew up going to church but don’t now;

- atheists and agnostics;

- doubters and seekers.

YOUR GRADE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR BELIEFS.

What will I get out of this course?


• I will be challenged.

- Maybe there is no god.

- Maybe organized religion is bogus.

- Maybe I’m in the wrong branch of Christianity.

- Maybe Christian worship has more to offer than I realized.

- Maybe worship is something I really need and want.

- Maybe I have a lot to learn from my classmates and their experience – from all directions.


• I will learn a ton. From the course catalog:

“Overview of the origin, development, and cultural aspects of Christian worship, giving special attention to the Church’s celebration of the mystery of Christ in word and sacrament, and to the meaning and rhythm of Sundays, feasts, and seasons.”

The second Learning Goal of this course:

“To be able to articulate a basic understanding of the content in the Course Description above.”


• My beliefs might be strengthened, or deepened, or weakened, or changed, or maybe stay the same.

YOU ARE RESPECTED NO MATTER WHAT YOUR BELIEFS ARE.

NO EXCEPTIONS.

IT IS UP TO YOU WHERE YOUR BELIEFS ARE AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER.

How do I succeed in this course?


• Be curious! Here is the first Learning Goal of this course:

“To demonstrate an attitude of curiosity about questions of life meaning, purpose, and values as related to Christian worship.”


• Make a time commitment. From the syllabus:

Class sessions are just under 3 hours per week. The typical student can expect to spend an average 4-6 additional hours outside of class each week in learning activities (reading, studying, reviewing, etc.) for a total of

c. 7-9 hours per week.

In difficulty and time commitment, how does this course compare to other Core required courses at CSB/SJU?

In difficulty and time commitment, how does this course compare to other Core required courses at CSB/SJU?

It falls into the average, or perhaps slightly above average, range of what required courses should be. It is not a sluff course, nor is it a grueling course with unfair expectations.

What is the grading like?

What is the grading like?

Not a promise, but:

most students who apply themselves and make this time commitment will likely earn some form of an

A or B grade.

What will I have to do in this course?


• Read the readings – typically, more carefully and intensively than most people are used to. There might be surprise quizzes on any assigned reading on any day.


• Read the readings – typically, more carefully and intensively than most people are used to.

• Submit online by 8am before each class – thoughtfully, in a way which shows careful engagement with course content.




• Write two essays – typically, more carefully and with more proofreading than most people are used to.





• Take four exams – with review of the readings and the notes you have been taking.





• Take four exams – with review of the readings and the notes you have been taking.

• Attend two worship services (one Protestant, one Catholic) and write a short reflection on them.

Will every student have a mind-blowing, life-changing, brain-expanding experience?

Will every student have a mind-blowing, life-changing, brain-expanding experience?

No, probably not. It will vary, and that’s OK.

- Some students will just do an average job fulfilling a course requirement – and that’s OK if that’s your decision.

- Some students will become more well-rounded in the liberal arts by learning about theology, but will not have their attitudes and beliefs changed that much – that too is OK.

- But some students will probably find the content more interesting than they expected, and many students will probably find helpful resources to think about their life values.

What pledge does Fr. Anthony make to you?

What pledge does Fr. Anthony make to you?

• I will always respect your beliefs, no matter what they are.

What pledge does Fr. Anthony make to you?• I will always respect your beliefs, no matter what they are.

• I will do my best to treat you with respect.



• I will do my best not to presume background knowledge or experience from you – wherever you come from is OK.



• I will do my best not to presume background knowledge or experience from you –wherever you come from is OK.

• I will do my best not to waste your time, and to help you learn more if you come to this course with more extensive knowledge and experience.




• I will do my best not to waste your time and to help you learn more if you come to this course with more extensive knowledge and experience.

• I will do my best to use and organize our class time well, so as not to waste your time and so as to maximize your learning.






• I will do my best to give you readings and activities that help you to learn, so as not to waste your time.







• I will do my best to be clear about course expectations.








• I will do my best to be supportive, helpful, and fair in evaluating your work, so as to maximize your learning.








• I will do my best to be supportive, helpful, and fair in evaluating your work, so as to maximize your learning.

• I will do my best to respond sensitively to any concerns you have.

What is expected in class sessions?


- You are expected to be on time or to excuse yourself. - You are expected to be alert and attentive.- You are expected to listen respectfully to what others say.- If you disagree with others, you are expected to disagree

respectfully.- You are expected to participate in discussion: to state, as clearly

as you are able, what points you want to make.


Phones and use of social media are prohibited at all times. When you are on the phone, you are not present to the class. You will be asked to put your phone away. If you continue to use your phone during class, you will be counted absent.


Use of laptops is not allowed. For the sake of your more effective learning,

I ask you to take notes by hand.

Texts to purchase:

Text loaned to you:

Additional texts:

- Assigned excerpts from classical texts and contemporary texts (Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, etc.) made available online at Canvas.

- Various articles, news stories, and book excerpts made available online at Canvas.

For Wednesday

- Review this PowerPoint – just to make sure we are all clear on some important basic points.

- Read and study the syllabus at Canvas.

- Do the online submission – it requires careful thought and careful writing.

christian worship - praytellblog...•i will do my best not to waste your time and to help you learn...

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