Religion
The Revelation of God
Grade 9; 1/2 Credit - Fall Semester
This course introduces students to the origins of the Judeo-Christian tradition through examination of key biblical stories and themes, such as revelation and covenant. The course prepares students to understand how and why Christians believe Jesus to be the consummate revelation of God, particularly through an in-depth examination of one of the synoptic Gospels. The course explores the foundations of Christian belief through an examination of the major credal statements of the early Church.
Faith and Christian Living
Grade 9; 1/2 Credit - Spring Semester
Building upon the Revelation of God course, this course examines the implications of belief in the credal statements of the early Church, particularly in relation to Catholic Liturgy, Catholic Morality and Social Teaching, and vocations/a life of service. This course offers students experiential learning in the areas of prayer, fasting and devotional practices, service, journaling for spiritual growth, and familiarization with the items used in Catholic Mass and other rituals.
Grade 10; 1/2 Credit - Either Semester
This core course introduces students to the profound tradition of Biblical studies and seeks to develop an appreciation of Sacred Scripture as both divine revelation and literature. Beginning with an overview of scriptural terms and the structure of the Bible, this course surveys the principal events, persons, and genres of literature used to tell the story of salvation history in Sacred Scripture.
Sexuality and Dating
Grade 10; 1/2 Credit - Either Semester
This core course examines the dynamics of relationships and explores the physiological, psychological, and sociological dimensions of human sexuality from the perspectives of natural law morality, Scripture, and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
Grade 11; 1/2 Credit - First Semester
The core course in Catholic morality seeks to familiarize students more deeply with the sources of Catholic moral teaching that emerge from the teachings of Jesus, Sacred Scripture, and Sacred Tradition. A primary goal of the course will be to make students more conversant with the content of Section 3 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (“Life in Christ”). Students will be encouraged to critique their own behavior and the behavior of our culture via the principles taught in this course as a means of helping them to grow as Christian young men who take seriously the call to holiness that comes through faithfulness to Christ.
Social Justice
Grade 11; 1/2 Credit - Second Semester
This core course seeks to educate students about not only the structural injustices present in society but also the Christian vision that opposes those injustices. Through study, reflection, discussion, and action, students will be encouraged to develop and apply solutions that are inspired by the Gospel values of human dignity and global community.
World Religions
Grade 12; 1/2 Credit - Either Semester
This core course seeks to introduce students to the beliefs, writings, and cultures of the world’s major religious movements. It also hopes to promote appreciation for the diversity of religious experience in the world and to help students to better understand their Catholic Christian faith in comparison to other faith traditions. Finally, this course attempts to better fulfill the Spiritan mission by preparing students to engage in inter-religious dialogue.
Grade 12; 1/2 Credit - Either Semester
This one-semester, senior elective course will seek to answer Jesus' question: "Who do people say I am?" It will introduce the student to a more in-depth study of the Synoptic Gospels, The Gospel of John, the Pauline letters and other early Church writings as well as their portrayals of Jesus as “The Christ.” In so doing, the course will help students to understand how the Church has come to view both the person and mission of Jesus of Nazareth. This course will seek to be more than an encounter with information. Through reflective and prayer exercises, the course will endeavor to enable students to develop and/or strengthen their personal relationships with Jesus.
Faith and Science
Grade 12; 1/2 Credit - Either Semester
This one-semester, team-taught, senior elective course will introduce students to the relationship between the Catholic Church and Science over the past millennium, emphasizing the important contributions made by the Church and scientific pioneers during that time. Moreover, the course will examine through scientific and religious lenses contemporary theories and topics such as evolution and the Big Bang vs. the biblical account of Genesis, the creation of sentient beings, and how natural laws are not violated during creation of these beings. The course, overall, will attempt to instill in students an appreciation for Catholic Christian teachings about God the Father as “Creator” and Jesus the Son as “the Last Adam, the true origin of humanity,” as well as the vital role which science plays in unlocking the mysteries of God.
Grade 11; Non-Credit - Two Semesters
Students in the junior year may apply to the campus minister for inclusion into this co-curricular course, which will meet one period per cycle. Students will minister to the school community in various service capacities according to their interests. Students will be trained in listening, facilitating group discussions, and other leadership skills. The Chaplain will select some students to assist with the Senior Retreat and the Junior and Sophomore Days of Renewal.
Not currently being offered:
The Authentic Self
Grade 12; 1/2 Credit - Either Semester
The goal of this course will be to examine the spiritual journey to authentic living through everyday language. Students will examine their own lives in relation to God, to others, and to themselves. In doing so, they will discern their personal joys in life and identify what brings them pain and sorrow. Over the course of the semester, the class will explore a variety of topics that include: money, power, anger, forgiveness, and dreams. By the end of the semester, students will possess the knowledge to identify their false selves, their personal dragons, and their shadows as they seek to better understand how they can become truly happy through being the person that God created them to be.
The Question of God in Modern Life
Grade 12; 1/2 Credit - Either Semester
This core course will consider the topics of the existence of God, the problem of suffering, and the search for religious truth in modern culture. Students will analyze films, read and analyze shorter texts, and engage the instructor through classroom discussions. By doing so, students will become acquainted with how those who have preceded them have wrestled with these issues and questions as well as the answers at which they have arrived.