'Why not offer this to the world?'

By Toni Pallatto - Florida Catholic

MIAMI | Call it divine intervention, combined with the non-stop entrepreneurial brain of Father Ferdinand Santos: Before the COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone to learn online, the rector of St. John Vianney College Seminary was making plans to do exactly that.

“I was completing my online MBA program, and I thought, why not offer an online MA in theology?” said Father Santos. “We have one of the largest communities of Catholic philosophers and theologians . . . Why not offer this to the world?”

The process began by getting accreditation for the seminary's online master's in philosophy program. When that came from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges in late summer of 2019, it provided the building block to pursue the master’s in theology.

“God sends people at the appropriate time,” said Father Santos. “A generous donor helped us acquire the learning management software. Then, Dr. Ryan Brady showed up, by God’s providence."

Brady had taught at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach and Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Florida, and has a doctorate in theology. In Father Santos' words, he "took the bull by the horns" and began the accreditation process in late February 2020. Accreditation for the online master’s in theology arrived in early August of this year.

Brady was instrumental in identifying the professors as well as providing technical support and structure to the program.

“I am a part of an extensive theological network that has developed over the years,” said Brady, a founding member of the Sacra Doctrina Project (sacradoctinaproject.org). Through it, he said, "many theological connections have been established with colleagues that are passionate about the holy doctrine of the Catholic faith."

The seminary drew on those connections for its professors. And, from a technological standpoint, "Father Santos made the strategic decision to hire the coordinator first, so the learning management software could be developed alongside of the curriculum," Brady said.

He noted that the accreditation committee "was very complimentary of SJVCS, in that most colleges develop a program, and then hire the program coordinator."

Online Program Coordinator Iancarlo Arispe has developed the overall flow and function of the online master's programs.

“We use CANVAS as our Learning Management System, the same system utilized by FSU and FIU," said Arispe. “Professors and students can collaborate in order to improve student achievement. I worked with our registrar, Dr. Pablo Martinez Diente, and our academic dean, Dr. Paola Bernardini, to create a robust platform for our online students. The capabilities of the system are awesome.”  

Shaun Klucznik is in the first group of students to enroll in the online master's program.

“I am a fulltime law enforcement officer in Hernando County, and I am married, with children," said Klucznik, who is halfway through his studies: four courses completed, currently enrolled in classes five and six, with four courses to go.

"It has been challenging, yet I feel called to ministry, and my eyes have been opened to new concepts, definitions and great philosophers," Klucznik said. "In the past, my studies have been in criminal justice, management and leadership. Now, I am reading opinions and thoughts from great minds, like St. Thomas Aquinas and Martin Heidegger.”

St. John Vianney Seminary also offers online certificate courses for those who want to expand their understanding of Christianity.

“I am currently enrolled in The Church and Islam, taught by Dr. Bernardini,” said Ari Lima, a fulltime engineer with Florida Power & Light and a parishioner at Nativity in Hollywood. “The course is fantastic. There are ten modules, starting with the history and setting of Christianity during the life of Muhammad. Each module gives me insight into the similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam, taking us through to contemporary times. I will continue to take courses because the subject matter is enlightening for the laity.”

For more information on St. John Vianney College Seminary's online master’s and certificate programs, visit www.sjvcs.edu/online-studies. Enrollment deadline is Nov. 30, 2020 for courses that begin in January 2021.

COURSEWORK FOR STUDENTS

Online students at St. John Vianney College Seminary have the option of completing their master's in theology in two years, or they may take up to six years to complete the course of study indicated below:

Semester 1: Spring 2021:

• Philosophy of God
• Introduction to Theology
• Faith and Reason
• Biblical Theology

Semester 2: Fall 2021

• Philosophy of the Human Person
• Liturgy and the Sacraments
• Four Pillars of the Catechism)         

Semester 3: Spring 2022

• Trinity and Christology
• Anthropology, Sin, and Grace
• Readings in Catholic Theology

Semester 4: Fall 2022

• Fundamental Moral Theology
• Thesis
• Bioethics
• Catholic Social Teaching