Faustino M. Cruz, SM
- Academic Dean and Executive Vice President
- Associate Professor of Theology and Education
Degrees
- Ph.D. Interdisciplinary Doctorate In Theology and Education (Boston College, 2001)
- M.A. Theology/Scripture (Graduate Theological Union, 1988)
- M.Div. (Franciscan School of Theology, 1986)
- B.S. Travel and Tourism Management (University of the Philippines, 1982)
"My contribution to practical theology is rooted in my identity and experience as a Filipino immigrant. In educating women and men toward ministry for a multicultural church and society, I recognize the daily struggle and survival of persons who cross U.S. borders or land on our shores as my primary theological locus."
Tito Cruz migrated from the Philippines to join the Society of Mary (Marists) in 1982 and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1988. He has ministered with migrants and refugees for over twenty years at parish, diocesan, and national levels as catechetical consultant, educator, community organizer, and pastor in the United States, Latin America, and the Philippines. He has served the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as Coordinator of Ethnic Ministries and member of the Commission on Certification and Accreditation.
Tito is working on a book project about Filipino American Catholics, which will be published in a series edited by Peter Phan for Paulist Press. He was a member of the research team for the Duke University Pulpit and Pew Project on Asian and Pacific Ministerial Leadership. He co-authored with Diane Bergant, Kathleen Dorsery-Bellow, Maureen O’Brien, and Bernard Lee Theological Reflection for Transformation, which was published by the Center for the Study of Religious Life and the Catholic Theological Union (2004). He serves on the Editorial Board of PREACH.
Committed to the development of teaching and learning, Tito has been on the faculty of the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion Summer Program, and has participated in designing and implementing initiatives such as the GTU Partnerships for Transforming Theological Education in Asia and North America, and the Asian Pacific Pastoral Institute for Mission and Ministry.
Tito recently taught at the East Asian Pastoral Institute, Ateneo de Manila University, represented the GTU at a gathering of Asian theologians at Trinity Theological College in Singapore, and presented at the first national gathering of Asian North American theologians and administrators, which was sponsored by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. In July 2005, Tito was at Chung Chi College of the Chinese University of Hong Kong to participate in a consultation on theological education, which was sponsored by the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia.
His teaching and research interests include: Asian and Asian North American contextual theologies, congregational studies, Latino ministry, immigration history, ethnic studies, and cross-cultural education.
Professional Affiliations
- International Academy of Practical Theology
- Catholic Theological Society of America
- Association of Professors, Practitioners, and Researchers In Religious Education (Co-convener: Asian and Asian North American Task Force)
- Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians In the United States
- Filipino American National Historical Society
Selected Course Descriptions
Educating for a Multicultural Church and Society
This foundational course in practical theology explores the theological and educational elements of an intercultural, inclusive, and interdisciplinary approach to Christian religious education and ministry with new immigrants in the United States. Topics include immigration history, identities and affiliations, ethnic and race relations, intercultural communication, educating diverse learners, contextual theologies, and so forth.
Multicultural Parish
This is a foundational course in practical theology, particularly in the art and practice of studying congregations. Itl explores the theological, liturgical, organizational, and educational components that support congregational life in multicultural, multiethnic, and multilingual U.S. Catholic parishes, as well as in some mainline Protestant traditions.
Filipino U.S. Immigrant Theology and Ministry
Filipinos are one of the fastest growing new immigrant communities in the United States. This course explores their social, political, educational, cultural, and religious narratives toward an intercultural practical theology from a Roman Catholic immigrant perspective. Lecture/discussion/ collaborative activities. Assessment based on active participation, weekly written reflection on the readings, mid-term and final writing/creative projects.
Ministry Seminar II
This second of four ministry seminars draws upon an interdisciplinary conceptual framework. It offers some of the foundational concepts and skills required for effective ministry that is contextual, collaborative, and intercultural. It seeks to engage students in theological reflection, dialogical conversations, spiritual formation, and supervised field education experiences that would enable them to weave together theological, ministerial, and educational insights and understandings.