Religion Program

The primary purpose and goal of the Faith Formation Department is to proclaim to our students the Gospel message of Jesus Christ; to herald the Good News that Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Mary, became man that we would be redeemed. To that end, the members of the department strive to provide a comprehensive four-year program that gives the students cognitive, affective and behavioral learning outcomes in the Catholic and Marianist faith traditions. Members of the Faith Formation Team endeavor to teach their students in order to educate them; i.e., to draw out from their life experiences and from the teacher’s life experiences, the wisdom and the insights that come from applying God’s word to these everyday human experiences. This involves knowing them as persons and showing respect for their God-given human dignity. The Faith Formation Team works closely to develop age appropriate retreat and prayer experiences that reflect the goals of faith development for the students, including integration of the Characteristics of Marianist Education.

Course: Religion/Band (REL600/605)

Prerequisite: Must be registered in Concert Band and not registered in a regular religion course. Description: Special religion sections for Concert Band members only. Students will be told which textbooks to purchase for their sections of religion in May.

Course: Vocation: Sacraments of Ministry, Vocation and Adult Faith (REL 400)

Prerequisite: Senior status Description: The senior course covers two principle areas: adult faith and vocations. The Sacraments of Holy Orders and Matrimony will be covered in this course. The vocations covered are single, married, religious and ordained ministry. Since most are called by God to the married state, it will be emphasized. The student will realize and develop his spirituality through discernment and awareness of the integrity of his humanity. As a final preparation for adult Christian life, the student will receive an overview of principal Catholic beliefs through a study of the Nicene Creed.

Course: Living the Gospel Values and Sacraments of Healing (REL 300)

Prerequisite: Junior status Description: A major portion of the course deals with morality, i.e. ethical conduct. Gospel Values is a study of the moral issues of our society, with Jesus Christ as the exemplar of complete moral humanness. The student will develop the ability to critically think and establish value criteria that motivates his moral life and affects who he is becoming. This course also addresses a Catholic understanding of service, justice and peace as well as how to alleviate injustices by providing a foundation for a just world in light of Catholic social teachings. The Social Service Project (SSP) complements the course and is an important part of our curriculum. Sacramental study will continue with the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick.

Course: Christian Scriptures, History of Our Church, Sacraments of Initiation (REL 200)

Prerequisite: Sophomore status Description: The sophomore year stresses the Christian Scriptures, Church History and the Sacraments of Initiation. The student will be given an overview of the Christian Scriptures: the major themes of sacred writings and their impact on faith. Church History unfolds in the Acts of the Apostles and continues her history through apostolic times to the present. Sacramental theology is developed by a study of the nature and purpose of the Sacraments of the Church.

Course: Hebrew Scriptures, Marianist Studies, Theology of the Body (REL 100)

Prerequisite: Freshman status Description: The goal of this course is to give an overview of the Old Testament, the major themes of its sacred writings, and its impact on our Faith. Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to comfortably interact with the Hebrew Scriptures. This course will also contain a unit on healthy relationships among teenagers. An introduction to the Society of Mary (the Marianists), their founder Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, and the Characteristics of Marianist Education is also provided.