Series to take in-depth look at church history, scriptures

Entering its seventh season, The University returns to 10 participating parishes for its adult education program beginning Feb. 7.

The University offers 12 subjects with 100 sessions presented by 70 speakers. Classes run through March 16. Classes are $7 at the door.

Subjects include events and faith, church history, faith and science, ethics, prayer, scripture studies and archaeology, social justice, and spirituality.

Local participating parishes are Holy Cross of Moorpark; Padre Serra, St. Mary Magdalen Chapel and St. Mary Magdalen Church of Camarillo; St. Jude the Apostle and St. Maximilian Kolbe of Westlake Village; St. Julie Billiart of Newbury Park; St. Paschal Baylon of Thousand Oaks; and St. Peter Claver and St. Rose of Lima of Simi Valley.

Speakers presenting sessions include CNN senior correspondent John Allen, America magazine publisher the Rev. James Martin, Dr. Daniel SmithChristopher, Cardinal Roger Mahoney, and Bishop Thomas Curry.

Nearly two-thirds of the courses are new this year, with such topics as voting, marriage and family, and children on the Internet. Special interfaith panels and discussions are also new this year.

Other courses draw on history, scripture and archaeology, and spirituality and prayer. The University's concert series provides six events featuring individual performers and ensembles, including a performance featuring choirs from several area Catholic churches.

Sessions given on Feb. 7 include "Abre los Brazo Fuertes a la Vida" at Holy Cross, "Evolution versus Intelligent Design" at Our Lady of the Assumption, "Spirituality for the Fast-Paced Person" at St. Jude the Apostle, "Iron and Silk: Amos and Hosea" at St. Paschal Baylon, and "Biblical Roots of Current Social Concerns" at St. Rose of Lima.

Catalogs of classes are available at participating parishes.

For more information, call (805) 496-0222, ext. 119.