The Cultural Orientation Program for International Ministers (COPIM) is designed to support the ministry of priests and religious sisters and brothers whose native culture is not that of the United States. Participants learn about the church, society, and culture of the United States, while appreciating and affirming their own heritage and values. The goal is to develop better intercultural and pastoral skills that could be applied in ministry.
Topics include:
- Intercultural Communication and Competence
- Accent Comprehension
- History of Immigration and Racism in the U.S.
- Liturgical Fluencies in Preaching and Presiding
- Ministry Toward and Alongside Women and Members of the LGBTQ Communities
- Youth and Young Adult Ministry
COPIM is a semester-long course that uses a unique hybrid model of instruction, combines one in-person gathering for three days, followed by four classes on-line (90 mins. each) and go-at-your-own pace exercises. Successful completion of the course leads to the awarding of the certificate in Cultural Orientation from Loyola Marymount University.
The Cultural Orientation Program for International Ministers (COPIM) is designed to support the ministry of priests and religious sisters and brothers whose native culture is not that of the United States. COPIM gives priests and religious opportunities for cultural dialogue in supportive, affirming contexts. They learn more about the church, society, and culture of the United States while also appreciating and affirming their own cultural heritage and values. The goal is to enable them to become more critically aware of both their own cultures and the U.S. culture(s) they serve.
Who Should Participate
COPIM is designed for priests and for religious sisters and brothers who have come from other countries to minister in the United States. Invitation to participate in this program ordinarily comes through their bishop or religious superior. Ministers born in the United States who work in intercultural contexts or those from other countries who have been here for many years may also attend.
Program Benefits
Understanding how to recognize and respect cultural dynamics is crucial for ministry in today’s multicultural situations. Theory and skills learned in this program prepare participants for more effective ministry in the U.S. and for reentry in case they return to their country of origin.
Participants will
- Learn skills for ministering more effectively within and across cultural boundaries;
- Appreciate and affirm the unique contributions of their own cultural heritage and values to the U.S. Church;
- Integrate more easily into diocesan and religious ministries;
- Become more mindful of factors that contribute to their own spiritual well-being and communal integration.
General Information
Course and program requirements, schedules and tuition are subject to change; and additional fees may be incurred for books and materials. Click here to review all policies prior to enrollment. A certificate of completion and continuing education credit is awarded to those who complete the course. Regular attendance and in-class participation is required. For additional information, contact the Center for Religion and Spirituality at (310) 338-2799 or crs@lmu.edu, or contact the program facilitator directly (listed below under 'Faculty').
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Course No.: CLPX 900
Fees: $1,195
Contact the LMU Center for Religion and Spirituality to register: (310) 338-2799 | crs@lmu.edu
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Dates:
Program meets in person at a retreat house from 4 PM on Monday, Feb. 5 through 1 PM on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center in Citrus Heights, California (near Sacramento).
Participants carry out online exercises at their own pace throughout Lent and Holy Week, and then the online exercises will be supplemented by four in-person Zoom sessions that meet 5:00 - 6:30 PM Pacific time on the following Wednesdays:
April 3
April 17
May 1
May 15
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Instructors
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Students must complete a total of 4.5 semester hours in coursework with a letter grade of 'B-' or higher in each course to receive a certificate of completion. Please refer to the course catalog for required text, class meeting location, and other general information.
Coursework: CLPX 900
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CLPX 900
Cultural Orientation
4.5 Semester Hours
Understanding how to recognize and respect cross-cultural boundaries is crucial for ministry in today’s multicultural situations. The Cultural Orientation Program for International Ministers (COPIM) is designed to support the ministry of priests and religious sisters and brothers whose native culture is not that of the United States. Students will expand and deepen their understanding of the church, society, and cultures in the United States through an examination global and American culture, pastoral ministry, theological, social and legal aspects of Church life in the United States today. Theory and skills learned in this program prepare students for more effective ministry in the U.S. and for reentry in case they return to their country of origin.