Theology TheTheologyDepartment iscommitted toleadingstudentson a journeythat systematicallyexaminesdivinerevelation, specifically theCatholicFaith, Moral Theology, Scripture, and Social Justice. Through such a study, it isour goal that studentswill havea solid understandingof thesubject matter sothat their own faith maybedeepened toa point wheretheyareconfidently and humbly puttingthat samefaith intoaction for thebetterment of others. Wehopethat thestudentsplaced in our carewill havenurtured reflectivehabitsthat aid themin strivingfor excellencein all things.
Theology 9: Ignatian Identity and Introduction to Christianity 1 credit This course is an introduction to the basics of Christianity, its Church teachings, and Scripture for the varied backgrounds of Cheverus students, ranging from the unchurched to the religiously literate. Students study St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, and are introduced to basic principles of Ignatian Spirituality. Students examine the experiences of growth and questioning, which are part of early adolescence, and explore who God is and how He calls us to faith, individually and collectively. Students become acquainted with the Old and New Testaments. Special attention is paid to God?s self-revelation, the developing Covenant, and humanity?s evolving understanding of God. The life and teachings of Jesus lead to discussions about the spirit over the letter of the law and what it truly means to be ?people with and for others.? Jesus?passion and resurrection are then seen as the Christian Passover--our rebirth to new life made possible by God?s love. A final unit on the development of the Church helps students understand how Christianity became an independent religion and how the Catholic Church relates to other Christian churches. Lessons on Catholic doctrine, liturgy, sacraments, Holy Days, saints, and structure are introduced throughout the year.
Theology 10: Mission, Sacrament and the Good Lif e 1 credit This course examines the mission of the Catholic Church--her constitution, self-understanding, models, the marks of the Church, diverse roles within the Church, ecumenism, and inter-religious dialogue including the Church?s sacramental vision of the world generally, and the seven sacraments particularly. Students study ethics, moral decision making, and virtue. The nature of this course is 14 2022-2023 Program of Studies
both catechetical and theological. Students are responsible for understanding Church teaching, but they will also be challenged to engage in honest inquiry, raising difficult questions and searching for meaning and personal understanding. The questions raised in theology class will help students evaluate their own ideas about what constitutes a meaningful life, how God is active in their lives, and how to move more deeply and responsibly into their own unique gifts. Despite differences in religious backgrounds and levels of faith, the course will help students develop skill in finding common ground as well as celebrating personal differences. Some central questions for the year: How is religion shaped by society? How is society changed by religion? What does it mean to say that the Church is sacrament?
Theology 11: Scripture 1 credit This class uses the historical-critical lens to examine the Jewish and Christian scriptures found in the Bible. The course depends on careful reading of primary texts as well as relying on the best scholarship available to understand better both the library of books found in the Bible and the unified narrative of salvation it reveals. Progeny and land, the story of the patriarchs, the Exodus liberation, the Sinai covenant, the conquest of Canaan, the Davidic promise, and the prophetic tradition all figure prominently in studying the Jewish scriptures. With the Christian testament, focus fixes firmly on Jesus - who is he to each of the evangelists and to Paul, and why does he matter to each of them? Through a critical examination of the texts, students are encouraged to contemplate how biblical truths help them to ref lect on their own lives, as well as their own faith and beliefs.
