A comprehensive presentation of the Roman Catholic faith is the basis of the religion curriculum at Catholic High School.  Five core topic areas are interwoven through out the four grade levels. Sacred Scripture, Roman Catholic literacy, the moral life, grace community, and Catholic Social Teaching are presented with in the specific coursework in each grade.  As part of the religion curriculum, each grade takes time away for a retreat experience to take an opportunity to grow together in prayer and in the personal and communal life with God.  Every religion class will have an opportunity to be instructed in and will carryout assigned responsibilities for liturgical ministries with the Mass. 

Religion 9

The freshmen year introduces the doctrinal, sacramental and moral teachings of the Catholic Church in order to remind the student of his or her call to holiness and evangelization. The first half of the year gives the student a basic understanding of the history, structure, and content of the major points of the faith outlined in the Catechism and develops in them knowledge of key scripture passages that form the basis of Catholic belief.  The second half of the year identifies the seven sacraments as conduits of God’s grace that help the student live the faith through moral actions, grow in holiness and spread the “good news” of the gospel in the world today.

One Credit

Religion 10

This course provides a study of Sacred Scripture, which has been correctly venerated as necessary to a life of faith. The Church Fathers at the Second Vatican Council emphasized, “Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit. And Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of God which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit” (Dei Verbum, 9).  The first semester of this course is designed to familiarize students with the Old Testament, “in the light of Christ crucified and risen” (CCC, 129). Major areas covered include Creation, the Covenants, the Exodus, the Law, the Judges, the Kings, the Prophets, and the Wisdom Books. Second semester covers the life and teachings of Christ, His death and resurrection, His fulfillment of the Covenant, the beginning and role of the Church, through the end of history.

                                                                                                                                One Credit

Religion 11

The junior year revisits the Old Testament with a study of the Prophets and the Wisdom tradition of the people of the Covenant. The rest of the year will be spent focused on the Christian moral life. Catholic moral theology will assist students in their own personal moral decision-making and will set the groundwork for the problem solving of medical and social issues through a Christian moral lens.

One Credit

Religion 12

The senior year begins with a return to the New Testament to study the Acts of the Apostles, Pauline and catholic letters and Revelation. Seniors are challenged to solidify their personal commitment to God’s call in a study of Christian vocations.  Christian marriage, the Christian family, the religious life, the priesthood and the single life are identified as ways to serve God.  The principles that bolster the rich heritage of Catholic Social Teaching will bring the senior year to a close.

One Credit

Religion Elective

Christian Leadership and Social Justice (11th & 12th grade)

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of leadership with a specific focus on the ethical and moral demands of the Christian leader.  Students will learn certain aspects of Christian leadership – character development, values, and the inner life of the leader, focusing on transformational and servant leadership.  Students learn how the Scriptures and the Church’s rich social doctrine call Christians to work for justice. Students willexamine the seven themes of Catholic social teaching and apply them to human society, for the purpose of guiding them in the mission of Jesus in the world.  Students will come to realize they possess the gifts, ability and faith to respond to that call in their daily lives. In the second semester, students will undertake an internship with a local agency, working hands-on with adults doing social justice work in our community. 

One Elective Credit