Theology Department

The Theology Department at St. Thomas High School offers a four-year program in theology. Every student at St. Thomas takes theology every semester that he is at the high school. The program is designed to give every student a good and firm foundation in faith and morals.

The theology curriculum is designed so that all students, regardless of faith background, can succeed. Courses must be taken in the proper year, but no course has an academic prerequisite. All students must complete their service work requirements in order to progress to the next level of theological studies.

Freshman year includes an Introduction to Catholicism course and a course in the Old Testament. The introductory course will provide students with an overview of Catholicism; the course also includes a section focusing extensively on sexual morality. Other moral issues such as cheating, prejudice, bullying and racism are addressed in the course. All freshmen must complete 10 hours of service work as part of their theological studies. They must also attend one retreat during the school year.

During the sophomore year, the students study the New Testament in the fall semester and Church History in the spring. All sophomores must go on the Sophomore Service Retreat.

The student’s junior year is devoted to the study of morality. Students take Moral Theology in the Fall and the social justice teachings of the Church in the Spring. By April 30 of the junior year, all juniors must fulfill service work requirements that include a parent acknowledgment, a service contract, 30 hours of service work, and a reflection paper. Juniors must also go on an overnight retreat.

During the summer between the junior and senior years, all in-coming seniors must read two books chosen by the Theology Department as part of their senior year theology courses. The web site offers more information on this.

All Seniors must take a required theology course plus a theology elective. The electives include Death and Dying, Healing Racism, World Religions, and the Holocaust. By April 1 of the senior year, all seniors must fulfill service work requirements that include a parent acknowledgment, a service contract, 40 hours of service work, and a reflection paper. This is required for graduation. For further information, please refer to the Director of Student Service / Campus Minister. All seniors must also go on an overnight retreat.

DEPARTMENT MEMBERS

Jenny McConnell, Teacher / Theology Dean
Casey Johnson, Teacher / Assistant Director of Campus Ministry
Joe Kral, Teacher / Coach
Marty Matulia, Director of Campus Ministry / Coach
Steven Meyer, Teacher
Joe O’Brien, Teacher / Director of Student Activities
Matthew Simon, Teacher / Coach
Robert Trahan, Teacher
Christopher Wardwell, Teacher

THEOLOGY COURSES

THEOLOGY I: FOUNDATIONS OF CATHOLICISM (Freshmen) provides an overview of Catholic dogma and doctrine of the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: 1) Creed and Trinity; 2) The Sacraments; 3) The Moral Life; and 4) Prayer & Spirituality. The section on the moral life will include a holistic study of Christian sexuality emphasizing the physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual and moral aspects of sexuality. Prejudice and racism and issues of honesty and integrity will also be addressed in the course with reference to the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes. The course will integrate the academic study with an application of these teachings to the student’s life.

THEOLOGY I: THE OLD TESTAMENT (Freshmen) explores Salvation history through a thematic exploration of the Pentateuch, the Historical Books, Prophets, and Wisdom Literature. The study will focus on an understanding of covenant love through the people and events of the Old Testament. The scriptures will be examined in their literary, historical, contextual, revelatory, and inspirational aspects.

THEOLOGY II: NEW TESTAMENT (Sophomores) is an overview of the Christian scriptures from the perspective of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the covenant love of the Father. Students will be introduced to the New Testament by a careful reading especially of the four Gospels, the letters of Paul and other New Testament books. The scriptures will be examined in their literary, historical, contextual, revelatory, and inspirational aspects.

THEOLOGY II: SACRAMENTS (Sophomores) provides a theological foundation for understanding the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. The students will study the historical developments of each Sacrament with special emphasis on the insights of the Second Vatican Council and the doctrine found in The Catechism of the Catholic Church. The rite of each Sacrament is considered in reference to the faith formation of the student.

THEOLOGY III: MORALITY explores the moral and ethical reasoning in the Catholic tradition. Students will recognize Christ as the center of morality. Among the topics presented are conscience, decision-making, sin, forgiveness, and the virtuous life. Students will understand the process of moral decision making and examine various pertinent areas of Catholic morality such as abortion and euthanasia.

THEOLOGY III: CHRISTIAN JUSTICE examines the history of Catholic social teaching with an emphasis on various Church Documents promulgated by Popes and Bishops. Students will explore the principles of Catholic social teaching using the format of reflection, judgment, and action. As well, students will employ the critical use of social analysis preliminary to discussion of Christian ethical responses and apply this to issues of economics, peace, violence, racism, poverty, and genocide.

Senior Electives

THEOLOGY IV: CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLES, MARRIAGE AND SEXUALITY Required Course: All students will take this course to fulfill the first semester of required theology at the senior level. This course focuses on living the Christian vocation and lifestyle. Topics include the married, single, and religious lifestyles with their respective opportunities and challenges. Highlighted in each lifestyle is the potential for growth in Christ and service to His people. The course emphasizes love, friendship, dating, marriage, vocations, Holy Orders, and human sexuality. The course encourages personal reflection and discussion as well as offers practical wisdom and information on these topics.

THEOLOGY IV: BIO-ETHICS is an individual elective course offered to fulfill the second semester of required theology at the senior level. This course explores Christian ethical principles of scripture and Church Teaching while looking at topics such as infertility treatment, organ transplantation, genetic engineering, health care, euthanasia, and treatment of the terminally ill. Students will gain knowledge of the methodology applicable to the study of Bio-Ethics such as the double effect, the principle of totality, and structure of an act. As well, they will explore the challenges that scientific progress raises with respect to human dignity and authentic freedom.

THEOLOGY IV: CHRISTOLOGY is an individual elective course offered to fulfill the second semester of required theology at the senior level. “Who do you say I am?” This course introduces students to the discussion of an answer to this question from the Gospels concerning Jesus’ identity. Christology focuses on the person of Jesus Christ, his life, his social world and his teaching and the development of the early church. Students will study the New Testament, the early Church Fathers, and how Church teachings developed in the light of various heretical movements. Emphasis is placed on the application and relevancy of the teachings of Jesus to our individual and collective lives today.

THEOLOGY IV: HEALING RACISM is an individual elective course offered to fulfill the second semester of required theology at the senior level. This course examines the attitudes of today’s society towards people of different ethnic, racial, religious, and cultural groups. Students will apply the scriptural and Church’s teaching on human dignity and respect of others.

THEOLOGY IV: THE HOLOCAUST IN CHRISTIAN-JEWISH DIALOGUE is an individual elective course offered to fulfill the second semester of required theology at the senior level. This course will examine the roots, causes, events and implications of the Holocaust. Specific focus will be given to the historical and spiritual relationship between Christianity and Judaism. The students will explore and discuss the need for continual dialogue, mutual respect and tolerance between the two groups.

THEOLOGY IV: MODERN CHRISTIAN AUTHORS is an individual elective course offered to fulfill the second semester of required theology at the senior level. This course introduces students to modern Catholic and Protestant authors, their writings, and their influence. Theology, instead of a traditional presentation, can be learned through literature. Many of these stories have been made into modern films. Students will examine fantasy and truth in J.R.R. Tolkien, and science fiction and morality in C.S. Lewis.

THEOLOGY IV: PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS is an individual elective course offered to fulfill the second semester of required theology at the senior level. This course introduces students to some of the ultimate questions that face all of humanity: Who am I? Where have I come from and where am I going? Why is there evil? What is there after this life? Students will be able to use philosophical language clearly, consistently and appropriately; identify and formulate problems philosophically; examine concepts and questions philosophically; relate specific texts and authors to the examination of concepts and problems and construct philosophical arguments. Students will search for answers to these and other questions in relationship to contemporary issues and challenges.

THEOLOGY IV: PRAYER & SPIRITUALITY is an individual elective course offered to fulfill the second semester of required theology at the senior level. This course explores the rich and varied forms of spiritual practice celebrated within Christianity. We will study and practice ancient and modern means of developing a deeper spiritual life. The course includes a look at a number of the lives of prominent saints, their writings, and how they sought to experience God. The course includes a study of what spirituality is and how we express our knowledge and relationship with God. Class sessions will include experiences in chanting, meditation, journaling, contemplating, and liturgical prayer.

THEOLOGY IV: WORLD RELIGIONS is an individual elective course offered to fulfill the second semester of required theology at the senior level. This course is an analytical and critical study of the practices, beliefs and the sacred texts of some of the major Western religions. As Christians live in an interdependent, global society, they will be helped by knowing about the faiths of other people. Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism will be described. The Catholic faith is enriched when one studies the God who subsists in all people of faith.