THEOLOGY

This course is an introduction to Catholicism, introducing students to their personal calling by God to universal love and holiness. Areas of emphasis include: the CHURCH through prayer, the Trinity, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Scripture, the Sacraments, the Beatitudes, the Commandments, and the articles of the Apostles’ Creed. The goal of this course is to help students understand and grow in their relationship with God through Christ and the Church. (Beatitudes and Commandments will be treated cursorily since they are studied in-depth in 11^th grade.)

 

This course studies the Sacred Scripture, both the Old and New Testaments. The students will learn to locate biblical selections from citations, see connections between the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Bible, understand the importance of Scripture and oral Tradition, recognize God as the author of Scripture through sacred writings inspired by the Holy Spirit, realize the importance of literary techniques in Scripture, know that  Salvation History is the story of God’s plan of salvation unfolding over time, and recognize the Church’s role as interpreter of Scripture.

 

This course will provide students with an understanding of the principles of moral theology with an in-depth study of freedom and the moral act, moral conscience, ethical norms and law, morality and action, sin and conversion, the ten commandments, the beatitudes, and the social teaching of the Church. The course will include an in-depth investigation of contemporary moral and social issues and an examination of the mystery of human suffering and death in light of the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

Through Baptism,  the Christian is committed to a lifestyle that reflects the Gospel message. Students examine such topics as human development, communication skills, relationships, a consistent ethic of life and Christian stewardship. Students will explore the vocations of marriage, priesthood, religious life, and single life. In the second semester students will understand Catholic thought, spirituality, and social action with a review of reflections and stories in life and literature. Students will see reasons for moral and immoral acts emerging from the Catholic tradition, and they will study writings that contain lessons for living as followers of Jesus today.

 

This advanced Theology course is open to seniors who meet the qualifications for the College Advantage Program through St. John’s University. Following the curriculum approved by the Theology Department at St. John’s, students may earn up to 6 college credits.  Prerequisite: Students must obtain Mrs. Frick’s signature on their course registration form.