The Formation Toward Christian Ministry (FTCM) program offers basic theology and spiritual development to Catholic adults who want to deepen their commitment to Jesus and more fully answer their baptismal call to service as a mature disciple. As a core program offered by the Archdiocese of Galveston -Houston, FTCM provides authentic Catholic teachings taught by approved instructors with Masters or Doctoral degrees in theological disciplines.
There are several formation programs within the Archdiocese that require FTCM as either a portion of their overall program or as a pre -requisite for entry into the program. These include, among others, catechist formation, catechetical leader formation and youth ministry leader formation.
Catholic Beliefs to Scripture 10 hours
Basic concepts regarding scripture
Christology 10 hours
Who the Church understands Jesus to be
Sacraments 10 hours
The Liturgy and the Sacraments
Day of Reflection 6 hours
Ecclesial Spirituality
All courses require a Catholic Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Additional books are required for the following:
Introduction to Scripture
Harrington, Daniel J., S.J. How do Catholics Read the Bible? Rowman and Littlefield, Publishers. 2005 ISBN: 0742548716
Old Testament
Boadt, Lawrence. Ed. Richard Clifford and Daniel Harrington, Reading the Old Testament Paulist Press 2012. 2nd Edition ISBN: 0809147807
Dowley, Tim The Student Bible Atlas Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2005 ISBN: 0806620382
New Testament
Carmody, Timothy R. Reading the Bible (A Study Guide) Paulist Press 2004 ISBN: 0809141892
Dowley, Tim The Student Bible Atlas Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2005 ISBN: 0806620382
Catholic Beliefs
Pilarczyk, Daniel E. Being Catholic St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2006. ISBN: 0867167084
Christology
Luttenberger, Gerard H. Who Do You Say That I Am? An Introduction to Christology CreateSpace (SelfPublishing), 2012 ISBN: 1466384344
Sacraments
Stasiak, Kurt Sacramental Theology: Means of Grace, Ways of Life Loyola Press, 2001. ISBN: 0829417214
Mick, Lawrence E. Understanding the Sacraments Today (Revised Edition) Liturgical Press, 2006. ISBN: 0814629253
Morality
Connors, Russell B Christian Morality: In the Breath of God (Catholic Basics: A Pastoral Ministry Series) Loyola Press, 2001 ISBN: 0829417222
Church History 1
Vidmar, John, OP. The Catholic Church Through the Ages: A History, Second Edition, Paulist Press. 2014 ISBN: 0809149044
Church History 2
McGonigle, Thomas A History of the Christian Tradition: From the Reformation to the Present Paulist Press. 1996 ISBN: 0809136481