Content

The unit will explore issues and approaches to preaching while concentrating on the application of this knowledge to the proclamation of the Word of God in liturgical and cultural contexts.

Unit code: DL2423Y

Unit status: Approved (Minor revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 2

Unit discipline: Liturgy

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Yarra Theological Union

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Learning outcomes

1.

prepare and deliver a homily

2.

critically and appreciatively evaluate the content and delivery of a homily

3.

identify the different “texts” involved in preaching as a communicative process

4.

Articulate issues concerning the interpretation of biblical texts

5.

discuss the place of preaching in the life of the faith community

Unit sequence

All students with a ministerial role will preach as part of their role. The unit helps them learn how to preach, offers them opportunities to preach and helps them develop the requisite skills.

Pedagogy

Lecture, discussion, presentation, videos of homilies, peer review

Indicative Bibliography

  • DeBona, Guerric. Preaching Effectively, Revitalizing your Church: The Seven-Step Ladder Toward Successful Homilies. New York: Paulist Press, 2009.
  • DeLeers, Stephen V. Written Text Becomes Living Word: The Vision and Practice of Sunday Preaching. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2004.
  • Foley, Edward. A Handbook for Catholic Preaching. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2016.
  • Francis. Evangelii gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel). Apostolic Exhortation, 2013.
  • Hilkert, Mary C. Naming Grace: Preaching and the Sacramental Imagination. New York: Continuum, 1997.
  • Keller, Timothy. Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism. New York: Penguin Books, 2016.
  • Lischer, Richard, ed. The Company of Preachers: Wisdom on Preaching, Augustine to the Present. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 2002.
  • O’Mahony, Kieran J. Speaking from Within: Biblical Approaches for Effective Preaching. Dublin: Veritas, 2016.
  • Sklba, Richard J. and Joseph Juknialis. Easter Fire: Fire Starters for the Easter Weekday Homily. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2016.
  • Waznak, Robert P. An Introduction to the Homily. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1998.
  • Whitfield, Joshua J. The Crisis of Bad Preaching: Redeeming the Heart and Way of the Catholic Preacher. Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press, 2019.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Homily/Sermon

Preparation, delivery and evaluation of a homily (7 minutes), plus personal, peer and lecturer review (oral and written) of this homily and oral review of two shorter homilies. All homilies are videotaped and replayed for review as part of the process.

2500 60.0
Essay 2000 40.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 25 Sep, 2023

Unit record last updated: 2023-09-25 12:39:30 +1000