Religion Department Course Offering Description
FRESHMAN
Our Catholic Faith: Living What We Believe
This is semester course is an overview of what Catholics believe as presented in light of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The Church: The Continuation of Christ’s Work in the World Today
This semester course is an overall survey of the nature of the Catholic Church in light of its history, purpose, and implications to our daily life.
SOPHOMORE
Life in Christ - Part I (Morality)
This course will challenge the student to recognize God’s plan for humanity and we are free to respond to Him and His plan. It will explore God’s plan, revealed through natural and divine law. It will focus on Christian discipleship in the contemporary world.
Sacraments as the Principal Manifestations of Christ
Through this course, the student will understand the concept and importance of sacraments in the life of a Roman Catholic. The essential characteristics of each sacrament will be studied.
JUNIOR
The Word of God (Old Testament)
By studying the Old Testament will understand how God revealed himself to the chosen people prior to the birth of Jesus.
Christ: The Eternal Word (New Testament)
By studying the structure, development and nature of the Bible, students will come to know that God continues to reveal Christ to us in our daily life.
SENIOR
Life in Christ - Part II (Social Justice)
This course will look at the Church’s social teachings and traditions dealing with issues of justice. This will be done by critically analyzing Papal, Encyclicals, Episcopal teachings, and the live tradition of scripture in dealing with contemporary issues of socials sin.
Sacraments of Service
This course is a senior level class that helps prepare a student to live out a particular state of life, either married or ordained. The Sacraments of Marriage and Holy Orders are presented with a detailed emphasis on preparation requirements, the liturgical preparation, sacramental validity, and “effects.” This is all within the context of our universal call to holiness.
Our Catholic Faith: Living What We Believe
Course Goal: This semester course is an overview of what Catholics believe as presented in light of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Objectives:
The student will understand that faith enables us to believe in God and in all that God has revealed.
The student will understand that faith results in religion which binds us into a relationship with God.
The student will understand that faith is a response to God’s revelation and requires obedience or the submission of one’s will to God.
Students will understand that the Magisterium of the Church is responsible for interpreting and transmitting Catholic belief and teachings that are found in Sacred Scripture and Tradition.
Scope:
I. God: Father and Creator
a. Divine Revelation
i. Sacred Scripture
ii. Sacred Tradition
II. Jesus: Lord and Savior
a. Mysteries of Christ’s Life
i. Christ’s Death and Resurrection
III. The Holy Spirit
a. The Holy Spirit in the Life of Christians
b. The mystery of the Holy Trinity
IV. The Church: The Body of Christ
V. The Communion of Saints
VI. Celebrating Liturgy
a. Sacraments
i. Sacraments of initiation
ii. Sacraments of Healing
iii. Sacraments of Ministry
b. The Liturgical Year
i. Seasons
VII. Catholic Morality
a. Conscience and moral decisions
b. Virtue
c. Sin, justification, and grace
VIII. Prayer
Textbook: Our Catholic Faith: Living What we Believe
Author: M. Pennock, Ave Maria Press, 2007
The Church: The Continuation of Christ's Work in the World Today
Course Goal: This semester course is an overall survey of the nature of the Catholic Church in light of its history, purpose and implications to our daily life.
Objectives:
The student will understand how Christ established the Church, through the interaction of Holy Spirit and Apostles
The student will analyze the nature of the Church in light of Biblical images and models
The student will recognize the characteristics of the marks of the Church
The student will understand the purpose of the Church and its structures and authority
The student will evaluate and justify the reasons for their participation in the Catholic Church
Scope:
I. Acts of the Apostles
A. Pentecost
B. Paul’s Journeys
C. Apostolic foundations
D. Development of canon
II. Models and Images of Church
A. Ecclesiology
B. Identify models
C. Refer back to models as course goes on
III. Marks
A. One
1. Unity
2. Easter Schism
3. Gnosticism
4. Protestant reformation
5. Current sects
6. Ecumenism
B. Holy
1. Holiness
2. Sin and Grace
3. Saints (Augustine)
4. Mary
C. Catholic
1. Universality of Church
2. Ecumenism
3. Inter-religious dialogue
4. Salvation
5. Fullness of Faith
D. Apostolic
1. Apostolic foundations
2. Development of scripture and tradition
3. Hierarchical structure
4. Evangelization – mission
a.) Boniface
b.) Paul
c.) Patrick
d.) Modern missionaries
IV. Nature of Church
A. Called by Christ
1. Body of Christ
2. Communion of Saints
a.) Francis of Assisi
b.) Mary
c.) Gregory I
B. Structure
1. Pope
2. Bishops
3. Emergence of priesthood
4. Diaconate
5. Monasticism
6. Religious communities
a.) Active
b.) Contemplative
7. Role of laity
C. Authority
1. Magisterium
2. Precepts of the Church
V. Membership in the Church
A. Why necessary
B. Fullness of salvation
C. Evangelization of others
D. Nature of truth
E. Sinfulness and the Church
Textbook: The Church: Our Story
Author: Patricia Morrison Driedger, Ave Maria Press, 2006
Life in Christ (Morality)
Course Goal: This course will challenge the student to recognize God’s plan for humanity and we are free to respond to Him and His plan. It will explore God’s plan, revealed through natural and divine law. It will focus on Christian discipleship in the contemporary world.
Objectives:
The student will understand God’s plan for humanity and our response to God.
The student will define and identify original and personal sin and effects
The student will examine sources of knowledge for the Christian lifestyle
The student will investigate relationships between grace, conscience, virtues, sacraments, and prayer
The student will identify ways to apply knowledge of morality in a practical manner
The student will verify practical challenges to the moral life
Scope:
VI. Life in Christ
A. God’s plan for us
B. Our response to God
VII. Challenges to the Christian lifestyle
VIII. Sources of knowledge
A. Natural law
B. Divine law
C. Ten Commandments
D. Beatitudes
E. Discipleship and religious life
F. Churches teaching authority
IX. New life in Christ
X. Applications
XI. Challenges to moral life
A. Free will
B. Judgment
C. Seeking reward
D. Submission to God’s will
Textbook: Our Moral Life in Christ
Author: James Socias, Midwest Theological Forum
Sacraments as the Principal Manifestations of Christ
Course Goal: Through this course, the student will understand the concept and importance of sacraments in the life of a Roman Catholic. The essential characteristics of each sacrament will be studied.
Objectives:
The student will understand the nature of the sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church
The student will be able to explain the elements, effects, requirements, scriptural minister, implications and basis of each sacrament.
The student will answer effectively challenges to worship and sacraments
Scope:
XII. How the Sacraments continue the work of Christ
A. The Church as the Body of Christ
B. The Church as the Universal Sacrament of Salvation
XIII. The celebration of Liturgy
XIV. The Sacraments
A. Baptism
1. original sin
2. Grace and the effect of baptism
B. Eucharist
1. The perfect Sacrifice
2. The presence of God among Us
3. A pledge of future Glory
C. Confirmation
D. Penance
1. Sacramental forgiveness and reconciliation
2. Contrition
3. The effects of the Sacrament of Penance
E. Anointing of the Sick
F. Holy Orders
G. Marriage
Textbook: Our Sacramental Life: Living and Worshiping in Christ
Author: Patricia Morrison Driedger, Ave Maria Press, 2007
The Word of God (Old Testament)
Course Goal: By studying the structure, development and nature of the Bible, students will come to know how God revealed himself to the chosen people prior to the birth of Jesus.
Objectives:
Students will have knowledge of the Bible and the structure of the Bible.
The students will experience an apologetic approach for the existence of God.
The students will discover what it is like to be made in the image and likeness of God.
Scope:
I. How do we know about God?
II. Understanding the Old Testament-in light of Salvation History
III. Creation
a. Trinity
b. Genesis: creation
c. Humanity as the ultimate of creation (Image/likeness of Trinitarian God)
IV. Sin/Evil
a. Original holiness/justice
b. Original sin and consequences
V. God’s Loving Response
a. Promise of Messiah (Genesis 3)
b. Covenant-general/specifics in Old Testament
c. Salvation in Jewish history
d. Promise fulfilled: Christ
Textbook: Journey Through the Old Testament
Author: Harcourt Religion Publishers, 2006
Christ: The Eternal Word (New Testament)
Course Goal: By studying the structure, development and nature of the Bible, students will come to know that God continues to reveal Christ to us in our daily life.
Objectives:
The students will be exposed to natural and divine revelation and how to respond to Revelation
The students will explore the doctrine of God in the Incarnation, person of Jesus, and the Holy Trinity.
The students will discover what Jesus’ revelation and what it means to be fully human.
Students will know how the church interprets the Bible in light of the Revelation of Jesus Christ
The students will study the humanity and divinity of Christ
Scope:
VI. The Mysteries of Christ’s Life
VII. The Gospels
VIII. The Letters
IX. Christology of the Early Church
Textbook: Journey Through the New Testament
Author: Harcourt Religion Publishers, 2006
Life in Christ (Part II) Social Justice
Course Goal: This course will look at the Church’s social teachings and traditions dealing with issues of justice. This will be done by critically analyzing Papal Encyclicals, Episcopal teachings, and the live tradition of scripture in dealing with contemporary issues of social sin.
Objectives:
The student will examine God’s plan for his people.
The student will explore the major themes of Catholic Social Teaching
The student will identify sin and its social dimensions
The student will apply social teachings of the Church
Scope and Sequence:
XV. Examine God’s plan for his people
XVI. Explore the major themes of Catholic Social Teaching
XVII. Identify sin and its social dimensions
XVIII. Apply Social teachings of the Church
Textbook: Catholic Social Teaching, Learning and Living Justice
Author: Michael Pennock, Ave Maria Press, 2006
Sacraments of Service
Course Goal: This course is a senior level class that helps prepare a student to live out a particular state of life, either married or ordained. The Sacraments of Marriage and Holy Orders are presented with a detailed emphasis on preparation requirements, the liturgical preparation, sacramental validity, and “effects.” This is all within the context of our universal call to holiness.
Objectives:
The student will become aware of God’s universal call to holiness and God’s personal call to a particular state of life
The student will appreciate the specifics of the sacrament of marriage from preparation to liturgy to validity
The student will appreciate the origins and development of the sacrament of Holy Orders and the faces of the sacrament as lived out today
Scope and Sequence:
XIX. God’s call to each of us
A. Universal call
B. Personal call
XX. Our response to that call: “serve one another”
A. Jesus as model of service
B. Sacraments of service: Marriage and Holy Orders
XXI. Sacrament of Marriage
A. Origins of
B. Definition of
C. Celebration of sacrament
1. Liturgical requirements
2. Sacramental validity
D. Immediate preparation for marriage
E. Effects of sacrament
F. Divorce and remarriage
G. Interfaith marriages
XXII. Sacrament of Holy Orders
A. Origins/development
B. Faces of the sacrament today
1. Bishop
2. Priest
3. Deacon
4. Reserved for men
C. Preparation
D. Celebration of the sacrament
E. Effects of the sacrament
Textbook: Marriage and Holy Orders: Your Call to Love and Serve
Author: Michael Amodei, Ave Maria Press, 2007