Selected Course Descriptions

Religious Education Department

Freshman Courses:

Practical Christianity (Required, 1 credit)

The objective of this course is to provide for the Christian Faith of the students a theoretical foundation which enables the students to respond challenges of the modern world. We will see how God continues to reveal himself through Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

This course is a journey of faith, which will examine the fundamental beliefs and practices of Catholicism. In this course we will study the Church as the Body of Christ. We will Discuss the communion of saints, forgivenes of sins, eternal life, and the sacraments. Finally, we will examine the basics of Catholic morality and prayer.

Sophomore Courses:

Sacred Scripture (Required, 1 credit)

This course begins with an introduction to Judaism and the Old Testament. We begin by investigating the creation accounts in Genesis. We follow the study of God's people from Abraham and Sarah through the Exodus and finally to the birth of Jesus. Much of our work involves reading directly from the Hebrew Scriptures.

In the second semester our focus shifts to Jesus and we begin reading from the New Testament. Students become aware of Jesus' teachings, miracles and parables. They discuss these stories and discover How Jesus uses everyday experiences to tell the truths of God's Kingdom. Finally, they read the Passion accounts that will lead to Jesus' death.

Throughout the course, the emplasis is not only on content but also on developing effective learning styles. A variety of assessment types will be used, including written essays, dramatic skits, and artistic projects. Classroom discussion also factors heavily into a student's success.

Junior Courses:

Church History (1 credit)

This course will give an overview of the growth of the Roman Catholic Church, beginning with the work of the Apostles and continuing through to the state of the present-day Church. We begin with accounts of the early Church from the Acts of the Apostles which describe the early customs and Gospel mission of the first followers of Christ. By studying heresies, councils and periods in the Church such as the Christian persectutions, the age of monasticism, the Middle Ages, the Crusades, the Great Schism, the Reformation and more, the course shows how the Church has developed in Doctrine and Traditions. We finish the year with the Church's stance on social issues of today based on Her beliefs since the first century. This course will also equip the students with a set of objectives principles based on the teaching of the Church that will help them to make moral decisions in everyday life. There is a special focus on the lives of the saints and mission of all members of the Church to spread the Gospel.

This course will also study the main aspects of the other major religions, including Judaism and Islam. In this course students will become better acquainted with the basic beliefs of these religions. This course will enhance the students' understanding of the people who practice the world's various religions. We will study the truths about each religion as well as discuss how the Roman Catholic Church relates to them.
Liturgy (1 credit)

Students in liturgy divide their time between the classroom and the chapel. The academic aspect of this course focuses on the meaning and purpose of the symbols and rituals of the Roman Catholic Mass and sacraments, and their development over 2000 years. The practical aspect requires students to produce all liturgical celebrations for the school community.

Senior Courses:

Social Justice (1/2 credit)

The objective of this course is to educate the students on the many issues of social justice present in our world. Through hands on interaction and in-depth review of difficult social issues, student will gain a real understanding of social justice and learn what they can do to prevent these issues from occurring. This class will also focus on the knowledge of the Church's teachings on social justice and examine social justice present in the scriptures.
Christian Lifestyles (1/2 credit)

This course will introduce the different types of vocations within the Church. It will also awaken the desire for each student to discern and learn their own vocation. Students will examine the four Christian lifestyles: single life, consecrated religious life, ordained life and married life. There will be a special emphasis on understanding Pope John Paul II's teachings on the Theology of the Body.
Philosopy of Religion (1 credit)

The big questions of life, "Is there a God?"; What is the purpose of life?"; "Does my life make any difference?" have been asked and answered by great philosophical minds going back to the days of classical Greece. This course traces the history of philosophy from the time of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. We shall examine how these great thinkers influenced the Church and the history of western civilization as well as providing us insights for forming our own personal philisophies. This course is offered in conjuction with Cabrini College and a fee is required.

Pre-requisite:

Cabrini Christian Service Program (1 Credit)

Our foundress, St. Frances X. Cabrini, blazed a trail of love by offering compassionate service to those who were most in need. Through those who continue her mission are invited to embrace her ideal of compassionate service to the most vulnerable in society.

Through the Cabrini Christian Service Program each student in senior year students is enabled to experience and understand the need/necessity and value of Christian service.

The Program requires students to complete forty hours of service at a site approved by the teacher. The semester course curriculum provides the students with the knowledge of the Church'sfteachings of social justice and other essential skills that will assist them in offering excellent service. Participation in the class, completion of homework, a reflection paper and a written evaluation by the site supervisor are requirements for successful completion of the course.

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