The University Series at a Glance
The University Series is a multi-parish, adult-education program that challenges parishioners to make a major commitment of time to attend a large number of classes during the season of Lent. All classes are non-accredited and are presented for the purpose of spiritual and personal growth.
The University Series offers sessions connecting faith with real life in areas such as contemporary moral issues, marriage & family, evangelization, church history, scripture, prayer and other priorities set by the Archdiocesan Synod. The University Series uses the vocabulary of education to convey the sense of learning, as well as the personal effort needed for growth.
Faculty members are experts in their field and enjoy teaching. They include noted theologians, clergy, psychologists, professors, doctors, scientists, lawyers, and other local and national recognized professionals.
The University Series charges a small tuition as a means of communicating the value of what is taught and to encourage attendance.
The University Series is a collaborative effort among parishes, originating within the Santa Barbara Region, and now extending into the San Pedro, and San Fernando Regions within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles:
Holy Cross (Moorpark), Mission Basilica San Buenaventura, Our Lady of the Assumption, Sacred Heart (Ventura), Our Lady of Grace (Encino), Padre Serra, and St. Mary Magdalen (Camarillo), St. Bernardine of Siena, and St. Mel (Woodland Hills), St. Julie Billiart (Newbury Park), St. Jude the Apostle, and St. Maximilian Kolbe (Westlake Village), St. Paschal Baylon (Thousand Oaks), St. Peter Claver, St. Rose of Lima (Simi Valley); Beatitudes (La Mirada), St. Bruno (Whittier), St. Mary (Whittier).
Traditionally, more than 13,000 people from throughout the Los Angeles Archdiocese, as well as people from elsewhere in California, and even visitors from other states, attend each year’s program. More than 700 people pre-register for classes, and over 200 people purchase the “season” passes.
The program is financially self-sustaining. Annual parish commitment fees cover the up-front costs of producing and printing the catalogs and calendar signs. Tuition fees cover the cost of faculty stipends and administrative labor. The University Series maintains a cash reserve for contingencies and returns any surplus funds to the parishes for equipment purchases to improve and promote the program, as promised from the beginning of the University Series.
The University Series strives for excellence because we believe our Catholic faith deserves our very best efforts, and because we believe that information is received in the manner in which it is given.