Formerly RELED 560 “Principles of Catholic Education”, this course is a graduate-level course that will examine the theoretical framework and the pastoral foundations of catechetical ministry, particularly the work of learning and teaching in Catholic parishes and schools. It utilizes primary sources, a history of catechesis in the United States, and contemporary resources to identify principles of education that reflect the divine pedagogy and the development of a clear Catholic Identity. Students who complete this course should be able to analyze contextual factors influencing teaching and learning, evaluate educational resources, and design educational strategies appropriate for authentic human formation and catechesis for a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. These skills will be applied within a ministry practicum that all students in the MATC degree program will design during this course and complete before achieving the degree. This course includes written lectures, audio and video presentations, and asynchronous online shared learning activities.