The Diocese of Nashville’s Office of Faith Formation is planning several Lenten programs this year.
One is a new initiative: offering Three Minute Theology “microcourses” online that include short pre-recorded episodes of the popular 3MT videos, all focused on the themes of Lent, accompanied by further reading suggestions, a brief quiz, and an online discussion board.
“We’ll have a special focus on the practices of Lent, including fasting, almsgiving, prayer, and confession,” said Joan Watson, director of the Office of Faith Formation.
Re-packaging the Three Minute Theology videos into microcourses on the Teachable online platform will allow people to “go a little deeper” into the lessons, access them at their own pace, and discuss with others, Watson said.
People will need to sign up for a free account to access the materials on Teachable. There is no charge for the class, but participants can make a donation to support the work of Three Minute Theology.
All the content is now available at https://3minutetheology.teachable.com/ and people can move through the 10 lessons at their own pace.
“We want to be a resource for people,” Watson said, whether in a Catholic school classroom, a parish education program, or for families at home. The content is “very accessible,” she said, and can be used for parents and children together.
During a season when “we feel like we’ve already given up a lot,” Watson said, “take this course and learn more about the faith. Do this as your Lenten practice.”
Once again this Lent the Office of Faith Formation will offer the “Reflect” video series. The videos, featuring different priests from the diocese reflecting on the upcoming Sunday’s gospel, will be released every Thursday during Lent, available on the Diocese of Nashville’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DioceseofNashville.
The Faith Formation Office will also offer an in-person speaker series with talks on Wednesdays during March at the Catholic Pastoral Center. The same talk will be offered at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on the day listed. The theme for the spring speaker series is “The Year of St. Joseph.”
- March 3: “What’s All the Fuss About Joseph?” by Joan Watson
- March 10: “Fatherhood – Quiet Strength: Reflections on St. Joseph & Fatherhood” by Graham Honeycutt
- March 17: “Working Well, Working for Love: St. Joseph and the Sanctification of Work,” by Michael Gilstrap
- March 24: “Oh Happy Death, Where Art Thou?” by Judy Orr.
