Saint Vincent Ferrer High School

RELIGION DEPARTMENT

The Religion Department has as its unique mandate the practical realization of the highest goals of Roman Catholic education: to foster the integration of religion with the rest of life, to “make our faith become living, conscious and active through the light of instruction.” (The Bishop’s Office in the Church.14). With the whole Church, we recognize the need to present the Gospel message, to prepare young women for a life of Christian witness and service, and to encourage their growth in relationship with Christ.

Grade 9 (Required)                                                     Course #110                            Credit 1.0

This year-long course is divided into two semesters; Revelation of Jesus Christ and, who is Jesus Christ. This course is in conformity to the USCCB Curriculum Framework.

The purpose of the first semester course is to give students a general knowledge and appreciation of the Sacred Scripture. In the course they will learn about the Bible, authored by God through inspiration, and its value to people throughout the world. Students will learn how to read the Bible and will become familiar with the major sections of the Bible and the books contained therein. Students will study the Gospels in order to grow and love Jesus more deeply. The goal of the course is to encourage students to understand the basic wisdom and teachings of the faith in relation to their life.

The second Semester course introduces the students to the Mystery of Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. In this course students will understand that Jesus Christ is the ultimate Revelation to us from God. In learning about who He is, the students will also learn who He calls them to be. This course presents the Church’s teachings about God the Father, the Trinity, Mary and the Holy Spirit.                                      

Grade 10 (Required)                                                   Course #120                Credit 1.0

This is a year-long course divided into two semesters: The Mission of Jesus Christ (The Paschal Mystery) and, Jesus Christ’s Mission Continues in the Church. This course is in conformity to the USCCB Curriculum Framework.

The purpose of the first semester course is to help students understand all that God has done for us through his Son, Jesus Christ. Through this course of study, students will learn that for all eternity, God has planned for us to share eternal happiness with him, which is accomplished through the redemption Christ won for us. Students will learn that they share in this redemption only in and through Jesus Christ.

They will also be introduced to what it means to be a disciple of Christ and what life as a disciple entails.

The purpose of the second semester course is to help the students understand that in and through the Church they encounter the living Jesus Christ. They will be introduced to the fact that the Church was founded by Christ through the Apostles and is sustained by him through the Holy Spirit. The students will come to know that the Church is the living Body of Christ today. This Body has both divine and human elements. In this course, students will learn not so much about events in the life of the Church but about the sacred nature of the Church.

Christian Community Service (Required)

Students are expected to integrate with their class work, a prescribed amount of community service, reflection papers and projects, in order to concretize the teachings of the Faith, to broaden their experience of the benefits of using one’s gifts for the good of others, and to deepen their awareness that humanity was created precisely for giving and receiving love.

Grade 11 (Required)                                       Course #130                            Credit 0.5

This is a yearlong course divided into two semesters: Sacraments as Privileged Encounters with Jesus Christ, and Life in Jesus Christ. This course is in conformity to the USCCB Curriculum Framework.

The purpose of the first semester course is to help students understand that they can encounter Christ today in a full and real way through the sacraments, and especially through the Eucharist. Students will examine each of the Sacraments in detail so as to learn how they may encounter Christ throughout life.

The purpose of the second semester course is to help students understand that it is only through Christ that they can fully live out God’s plans for their lives. Students are to learn the moral concepts and precepts that govern the lives of Christ’s disciples.

Service (Required)

Students are expected to integrate a prescribed amount of community service, reflection papers and projects with their class work, thereby continuing the mission of Jesus as his disciples, by putting into practice the Gospel teaching to love others as God has loved each of us and all of creation.

Grade 12 (Required)                                                   Course #140                Credit 0.5

The purpose of this course is to introduce to the students the Church’s Social Teaching. In this course students are to learn how Christ’s concern for others, especially the poor and needy, is present today in the Church’s social teaching and mission.

Service (Required)

Students will learn that Christians, besides being disciples of Christ, are actually members of His living Body, the Church; that although Christ no longer walks this earth, his disciples, members of his body, now live and walk among his people bringing his loving touch to those in need. Students are expected to incorporate a prescribed amount of community service, reflection papers and projects into their class work, helping to increase and deepen their understanding of Christian discipleship through membership in the Catholic Church.

N.B: The Religion Department is currently implementing the USCCB Curriculum Framework.

All students are required to partake in the St. Vincent Ferrer High School Retreat Program.

World Religions (Elective)                                         Course #146                Credit 0.5

This course presents a comparative study of world religions, including but not limited to Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.