Courses Offered

"The Bible: The Living Word of God provides an introduction to the Sacred Scriptures and to the unfolding of salvation history, with a particular focus on Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of salvation history. Revelation, both divine and natural, is explored, as are inspiration, interpretation, and exegesis."  (Saint Mary’s Press) 

The main goal is to set a solid foundation by exposing the students to God's teaching through the Bible and many of its stories. They will learn how to read and study the Bible in a deeper way and apply it to their own lives. This will prepare them for studying, embracing, and hopefully growing in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ starting their second semester and continuing throughout their high school education.

"In Jesus Christ: God's Love Made Visible the students encounter Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity. This course leads the students toward a deeper understanding of divine Revelation, the Trinity, the Incarnation, Jesus, salvation, and discipleship as a response to God’s love."  (Saint Mary’s Press) 

This semester's aim is to continue building on the foundation of first semester, particularly the Old Testament background, and to point to Jesus Christ as God's special revelation among his own people and now among us. The ultimate goal for this year is establishing a foundation of a real, growing, vital relationship with our personal God through Jesus Christ that translates to life-changing religion (meaning "worship" or "devotion") in the student's own life and in the lives of others. 

“The goodness of creation, Original Sin, and the promise of a messiah are the starting points for this course, which explores our salvation through the Paschal Mystery. The students encounter the mystery and glory of the suffering, death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ. The course also explores how the Paschal Mystery informs our daily lives, our prayer, and our participation in the life of the Church.”   (Saint Mary’s Press) 

Students will take a deeper look into their own lives and how they can ask for forgiveness as well as learn to forgive.  This journey will include discussion on how accepting a life in the Church can benefit when it comes to their own redemption.  Also includes a deeper look into the last days and minutes of Jesus’ life on earth, his Resurrection, and Ascension into Heaven. 

“The Church: Christ in the World Today guides the students in exploring and understanding the Catholic Church, as well as its origin, structure, and mission. Additionally, the course addresses the roles of the hierarchy, those in religious life, and the laity in supporting the mission of the Church. Particular attention is paid to the global presence of the Church as a light to all people.”  (Saint Mary’s Press) 

This course will offer the students an opportunity to examine society today and compare the journey they are on with the lives of people during Jesus’ time.  The students will also have an opportunity to figure out how they can live a life of service like Jesus did even though the times that we live in are different.  Ultimately the students will be challenged to put their differences aside and to think of others like Jesus did.

Students will be required to venture out into their communities to use their God-given talents to help those around them.  These opportunities will help the students show their gratitude for the gifts they have been granted by using them to serve others in God’s name. 

“The Sacraments provides an opportunity to encounter Christ in a deeper and personal way. The focus of this course is to help the students to learn about the Seven Sacraments, especially Holy Eucharist, which will enable them to participate fully in their Christianity. The course will explore Christian history from a Catholic Sacramental approach; examine scriptural foundation of the Sacraments and learn the past and current Sacramental practices.”  (Saint Mary’s Press) 

Visits to view the art and iconography present at St. Anthony church will serve to demonstrate the impact of the Christian faith in our daily lives and enhance the development of a deeper spirituality in the atmosphere of the parish church.

“Students today face countless choices and challenges in their daily lives. This course addresses how a relationship with Christ and the Church can help make decisions and choices that are in accord with God’s plan of a full and abundant life.”  (Saint Mary’s Press) 

This course will explore the nature of choice, the root causes of sin, and how appropriate choices are strengthened with a strong personal relationship with Christ. The variety and the risks of choice will be explored through examination of consequences of moral decision-making. The students learn what it means to live as a disciple of Christ and how the Church strengthens this discipleship.

“This course guides students in exploring and understanding the social teachings of the Church. It addresses the major themes of Catholic social teaching and what they express about God's plan for all people and our obligations to care for one another, especially those most in need in society. The course works to move students to a life of service and work for the Kingdom of God.”   (Saint Mary’s Press) 

This course aims to help the students grow in having life-giving relationships with self, others, and all of creation.  Students will examine Scripture, Tradition, and various Church documents and interpret their meaning and examine how they are relevant in today’s society.

“The purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth study of the New Testament. Since Jesus Christ's life, death, and Resurrection are at the heart of the Christian mystery, this course begins by looking at the four complementary but unique portraits of Jesus that are found in the four Gospels. Next, it traces the spread of the Gospel as told in Acts and the Letters. The course also considers the challenges faced by the early Church that emerge through a careful reading of the New Testament Letters and the Book of Revelation. Additionally, it will look closely at what the followers of Jesus in the early Church proclaimed about him and explore the historical, religious and cultural world of Jesus' time. Ultimately, the course will guide students in seeing the relevance of the Gospel message for the world today.”  (Saint Mary’s Press) 

This course will break open the New Testament to the students, allowing them to understand the situations and the cultures that are described in the text.  This will aid the students in finding current applications of the Scriptures in real life situations, especially in their own lives.