Theology Department
Theology 1 Grade 9 Honors, College Prep 011, 012
Old Testament Scripture First Semester
Theology 1 shows God’s self-revelation through the inspired authors of the Old Testament. The student is introduced to important vocabulary, literary genres and concepts, as well as to the academic study of scripture--biblical exegesis. Students are challenged to become familiar with the parts and arrangement of the Old Testament, important places, people and events in Old Testament history, and to avoid the mistakes of fundamentalism and skepticism, while discovering the beauty and importance of the Old Testament for the Judeo-Christian religious heritage.
New Testament Scripture Second Semester
This course goes to the heart of the Christian faith and views Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God, through the texts of the New Testament. Students are challenged to further their grasp of Scripture study while learning about Jesus, his saving action in our lives, his early followers, and the New Testament writers who explored the mystery of his life, death, and resurrection. In addition, this course shows how the New Testament is the foundation for the study of the Church, Sacraments, and Morality.
Theology II Grade 10 Honors, CP 021 022
Sacraments/Prayer First Semester
This course on the Sacraments and Worship helps the students develop a deeper appreciation of our Church’s Sacramental life. The starting point for the course is the recognition of the fact that we as members of the Church are called to participate actively in the Sacraments through worship and prayer.
The students explore various prayer expressions as a way of establishing a relationship with God, with others and with oneself. The importance of sign, symbol, ritual and sacrament is presented in order that the student may understand their meaning in light of the tradition and Spirit of the Catholic Community.
The students are challenged to see life as a sacrament -- which means recognizing God’s presence in our day-to-day living. Students are shown how prayer can help them in decision making, in helping friends with problems, and in building a stronger friendship with God.
Christian Morality/Chastity Second Semester
This course addresses moral decision-making and conscience formation by investigating contemporary moral issues that challenge Catholic Christian living in a complex, technological society. Since the knowledge of religious thought is not enough, the students are encouraged to integrate and interiorize Christian values so as to strengthen their commitment to Jesus Christ.
Theology III Grade 11 Honors, CP 031 032
Church History First Semester
This course encourages the maturing student to deepen his/her understanding of the Church in all its facets. The focus is on Jesus as the origin of the Church. The students examine images, teaching authority and structure of the Church. Students become familiar with the story of the Catholic Church from the time of Jesus to the Second Vatican Council. Since the knowledge of religious thought alone is not enough, the students are encouraged to integrate and interiorize Christian values, and eventually to make a lasting commitment to Christ.
Social Justice Second Semester
“Action on behalf of justice and the participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel.” So said the world’s Catholic bishops in their document Justice in the World (1971). Living in community with others and assuming responsibility for how our actions affect their lives is the concentration of this course. Major topics include capital punishment, the abuse of power, discrimination, war, the movement toward simple living, bioethics, homelessness and the environment.
Theology IV Grade 12 Honors, CP 041 042
Apologetics First Semester
Apologetics is that branch of Theology devoted to the reasoned demonstration of the origin, authority and teachings of the Catholic Church, using creditable and acceptable historical, philosophical and scriptural argument.
The students learn the nature of Theology in general, as well as the nature of Apologetics and its relation to Theology. They explore the various ways the apologists answered the challenges to the Faith over the centuries, and finally come to confirm their own beliefs and thus be able to present those beliefs to others who challenge the Catholic tradition today.
Christian Lifestyles Second Semester
This course aids the student to understand the Catholic interpretation of human sexuality, love and marriage. The dynamics of interpersonal relationships are examined. The many facets of the single life -- priestly, religious and lay -- are explored.
This course also examines marriage as a covenant with emphasis on the sacramental nature of Catholic Christian marriage. Marriage preparation policies and mores -- cultural, legal, and ecclesiastic--are presented. Students study the necessary continual adjustments to married life and the characteristics and results of constructive and destructive marriages, arriving at a greater appreciation of the various Christian vocations.
Apostolic Service
Diocesan policy mandates that apostolic service be part of the theology curriculum. In order to complete successfully an academic year as well as fulfill graduation requirements, students must perform apostolic service hours as specified for each grade level.