An inter-deanery adult faith formation and education program that brings the insights of local and national leaders, authorities and voices of the Catholic Church to Ventura County will be back for its eighth year beginning in late February.

Welcome to The University Series, a multi-parish program held each Lent (this year, Feb. 26 to April 2) as a collaborative effort among the parishes of Deanery 4 (east Ventura County) and one in Deanery 3 (west Ventura County). The participating parishes include Holy Cross (Moorpark), St. Mary Magdalen and Blessed Junípero Serra (Camarillo), St. Julie Billiart (Newbury Park), (St. Jude the Apostle and St. Maximilian Kolbe (Westlake Village), St. Paschal Baylon (Thousand Oaks), St. Peter Claver and St. Rose of Lima (Simi Valley), and Our Lady of the Assumption (Ventura),

Well over 8,000 people from throughout the archdiocese attend the program's offerings, which this year will include 90 courses --- non-accredited 90-minute sessions (including some in Spanish) --- for spiritual and personal growth, led by 55 faculty presenters who have extensive knowledge in their fields.

This year's sessions will delve into archaeology and Scripture to explore how the Bible evolved; whether there is truth in the recently discovered (but not included) lost books; how scholars have pieced together Scripture and history to understand the greatest trial ever; what life was like in Jesus' time; and what the latest discoveries tell us about verified Christian sites in the Holy Land.

Other workshops offer a post-Prop 8 reality check on the Gospel and the news; a look at court cases eroding our rights to worship freely, led by Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry; the "new atheists" that challenge Catholic faith; and Catholic teaching and the consumer culture.

Two sessions look to the future. On March 2, CNN's senior Vatican analyst John Allen addresses what would happen if Pope Benedict XVI and President Barack Obama were to combine forces for peace in our world. On March 6, Cardinal Roger Mahony discusses Church leadership and what may be found in the Church of the future.

Religious education offerings include "12 good reasons" to be Catholic, a new look at the 10 Commandments, and an exploration of God's plan for males and females. Other sessions explore saints as superheroes of the faith, and explore ways parents can provide mentoring for youth as they navigate Facebook, YouTube, and other Internet sites (a session recommended by the Safeguard the Children committees).

Offerings on evangelization, prayer, morality and ethics, liturgy, marriage and the family, social justice, and spirituality round out the program. These include Joseph's "yes" as a model for men's (and women's) spirituality, Mary's messages, building immunity to stress, and balancing purpose-driven lives. Former network television executive Gerry Straub uses film to describe how the spirit of life shines through pain and poverty. And two religious show how Pope Benedict XVI is "the Green Pope."

Six musical concerts are offered for a free-will donation. For all other sessions, tuition at the door is $7 per class, which also includes free admission for one guest. Pre-registration (which closes Feb. 15) is $5 per class; a pass for all classes is available during the pre-registration period for $85, and includes one guest.

For more information, contact one of the participating parishes or visit the new Web site at www.theuniversityseries.org.