Theology

In this course, the students are introduced to the basic tenets of Christianity and the Catholic faith. Understanding Catholicism introduces students to doctrine and foundational faith topics such as Bible basics, sin, Salvation History, Marks of the Church, Sacraments, The Paschal Mystery, Christian Morality, Catholic Social Teaching, and Revelation. The students will explore Catholic traditions, prayers, and practices and learn about the Mass as the source and summit of the Catholic faith.

After completing this year-long course, the student will move into the grade level.

The first semester of the course provides students with general knowledge and appreciation of the Sacred Scriptures. Through their study of the Bible, they will encounter the living Word of God, Jesus Christ. Students learn about the Bible, authored by God through Divine Inspiration, and its value worldwide. Students will learn how to read the Bible and become familiar with the major sections and the books included in each section. In the second semester of the course, students are introduced to the mystery of Jesus Christ, the living Word of God. The students will pay particular attention to the Gospels to grow to know and love Jesus Christ more personally. Students will understand that Jesus Christ is the ultimate Revelation from God in this course. In learning who Jesus is, students will learn whom they are called to be as disciples of Jesus.

The first semester of this course is to help students understand all that God has done for us through his Son, Jesus Christ. Through the course of study, students learn that for all eternity, God has planned for us to share eternal happiness with him accomplished through the redemption Christ won for us. Students learn that they share in this redemption only in and through Jesus Christ. The second-semester course helps students understand that they can encounter Christ today completely and authentically in and through the sacraments, primarily through the Eucharist. Students will examine each sacrament in detail to learn how they may encounter Christ throughout life.

The first semester, using the text: Church Foundations and Mission, the students will study the Church's mission by exploring its foundations and structure. They will use Scripture reading and exegesis, especially diving deep into the Gospel of Matthew, to understand how the words and actions of Jesus help lead us to a deeper understanding of what it means to be 'church.'

In the second semester, using the text: Morality and God's love, the students will continue Scripture reading and exegesis of Old and New Testament passages that are the foundation for Christian morality. This course focuses on the importance of moral decision-making in living a happy and holy life and explores Christian morality's philosophical and theological foundational principles, including the concepts of truth and goodness.

This course aims to introduce students to the Church's social teaching. In the course, students learn how Christ's concern for others, especially the poor and needy, is present today in the Church's social teaching and mission. UC Approved

The course aims to help students understand how the Catholic Church relates to non-Catholic Christians and other religions. Building the foundational truth that Jesus Christ established the Catholic Church and entrusted the fullness of God's Revelation to her. The course aims to help students recognize how vital spiritual truths can also be found in non-Catholic Christian faith traditions. It is also intended to help students recognize how other belief systems and practices differ from Catholicism. UC Approved