Faculty Directory

Thomas H. Groome

Professor of Theology and Religious Education

Photo of Thomas H. Groome

Thomas H. Groome

Ed.D.

Contact

Simboli Hall 212

Telephone: 617-552-8449

Email: thomas.groome@bc.edu

Education

  • M.Div. (equiv.), St. Patrick's Seminary, Carlow, Ireland
  • M.A., Fordham University
  • Ed.D., Union Theological Seminary/Columbia University Teachers College

Research Interests

The theory and practice of educating for living faith; The pedagogy of faith

Expertise

  • Religious Education and Youth Young Adult Ministry
  • Practical Theology
Curriculum Vitae

Profile

Dr. Thomas H. Groome was born in County Kildare, Ireland. Professor Groome holds the equivalent of an M.Div. from St. Patrick's Seminary in Carlow, Ireland, an M.A. from Fordham University and a doctoral degree in religious education from Union Theological Seminary/Columbia University. He is recognized as one of the leading religious educators of our time and has lectured widely throughout the world, His writings have been translated into many languages.

Professor Groome's publications include his most recent book What Makes Education Catholic: Its Spirituality. His previous published works include Catholic Spiritual Practices: Treasures Old and New (Paraclete), Faith for the Heart (Paulist), Will There Be Faith (HarperCollins), Reclaiming Catholicism, (Orbis Books), What Makes Us Catholic: Eight Gifts for Life (HarperCollins), Educating for Life, (Crossroads), Christian Religious Education: Sharing Our Story and Vision (Jossey Bass), Language for a "Catholic" Church (Sheed and Ward) and Sharing Faith: A Comprehensive Approach to Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry (Harper Collins). Professor Groome is also the primary author of various Catholic religion grade-school curriculum (from W H Sadlier) and a Catholic High School Theology series, Credo from Veritas and Benziger.

Selected Courses

  • Education for Living Faith: Foundations and Practice
  • Education of Christians: Past, Present, and Future
  • What Makes Education Catholic
  • Doctoral Seminar in Religious Education

Professional Activities

Active in Religious Education Association (learned society of my field), in Catholic Theological Society of America, and in International Academy of Practical Theology (a founding member).

Selected Publications

Faith for the Heart: A "Catholic" Spirituality - Paulist Press, 2019.

Catholic Spiritual Practices: Treasures Old and New, Editor with Dr. Colleen Griffith, (Paraclete: Brewster, MA) 2012

Will There Be Faith: A New Vision for Educating and Growing Disciples, (HarperCollins: San Francisco) 2011

Reclaiming Catholicism: Treasures Old and New. Editor with Michael Daley, (Orbis Books: Maryknoll) 2010

Horizons and Hopes: The Future of Religious Education, Editor with Harold Daly Horell, New York: Paulist Press, 2003

What Makes Us Catholic: Eight Gifts for Life - HarperCollins (2002)
Lays out the foundational convictions that ground Catholic identity in Christian faith.

Educating for Life - Crossroads (2000)
A comprehensive philosophy but more a spirituality that can inspire every instance of Catholic education, in home, parish program, and school.

Sharing Faith - Wipf and Stock (1990) A comprehensive approach to religious education and pastoral ministry; offers the definitive statement on a shared praxis approach.

Christian Religious Education - Jossey Bass (first published 1980)
Hailed as a classic and foundational text in religious education; introduces the shared praxis approach.

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