Study Course on the Church Fathers Offered by Fr. Cipolla

STUDY COURSE ON THE CHURCH FATHERS

Instructor: Father Richard G. Cipolla, Ph.D., D.Phil. (Oxon)

Why a course for the laity on the Church Fathers?  And why at this particular time?  The basic answer is that an educated laity, that is, educated in the Faith, is vital and necessary for the well-being of the Church.  This is true especially at a time when the Church is beset both from without and within.  The study of the Church Fathers gives us a grounding in the development of doctrine that led to the content of the Tradition of the Church that is the basis of our Catholic Faith.

Some years ago I taught Patristics, which is the study of the Church Fathers, at Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell.  Now, because I am a “retired priest”, I have the time to do this course for the laity.  Each session we will read passages from one of the Church Fathers and discuss their meaning.  The discussion is as important as my commentary on the readings themselves.  

The Course will be divided into two semesters:  Fall and Spring.  There will be eight meetings in each semester. All meetings will be at St. Pius X church in Fairfield from 7:30-9:00 pm.  Below is the schedule for the Fall semester. 

The cost of the course is $100 per semester.  Included in the cost is a book that contains all of the readings from the Fathers that we will study and discuss.  There is a limit of 25 students for each semester.  To register please contact me directly by email:  richardcipolla84@gmail.com

I look forward to teaching this course and the discussions that will be a vital part of the course.

Father Richard Gennaro Cipolla

September 12                                                  Introduction, St. Clement of Rome

September 19                                                  St. Ignatius of Antioch

October 3                                                      St. Justin Martyr

October 10                                                    St. Irenaeus

October 31                                                   Tertullian

November 7                                                  Origen

November 14                                                   Athanasius

November 21                                                   The Nicene Creed