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Program of Studies » Religion Department

Religion Department

All students in a specific course (Religion I, II, III, and IV) will use the same book and cover the same concepts and materials. Testing and/or activities will be adjusted to reflect different ability levels. All students are encouraged to fully participate with the Spirit Outreach Program and in the various religious services throughout the school year.
This course will expose students to the Catholic faith based on the four pillars of the catechism of the Catholic Church—creed, liturgy, morality and prayer. It promotes basic religious literacy while explaining why Jesus Christ is at the center of the catechetical message and how the church is both a divine and human institution. Students will explore Catholic beliefs, rituals, sacraments and the liturgical year. One quarter is designated to helping students understand their human sexuality. Students will explore the many choices and decisions they must make in order to develop a strong sexual ethic and set personal moral limits.
This course presents Sacred Scripture as God’s Revelation to the world. The purpose of this course is to give students general knowledge of and appreciation for the Sacred Scriptures. Through their study of the Bible, authored by God through Inspiration, they will come to encounter the living Word of God, Jesus Christ. Through study of both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament students will explore literary genres, historical characters, and major biblical themes and events. They will learn how to read the Bible and will become familiar with the major sections of the Bible and the books included in each section. Students will come to realize that God’s Word, the Bible, is the key to their own relationship with the Lord. Study of the Gospels presents Jesus as the unique Word of Sacred Scripture. Jesus’ teachings, miracles, and the Paschal Mystery will provide the foundation for understanding Jesus’ mission of salvation. Through Scripture inspired projects, films, and activities, the students will discover Christ’s mission to the world, especially to the poor and disadvantaged. Students will learn that they are called to share in this redemption in and through Jesus Christ. Successful completion of Religion I is required (if the student was present at HSHS for Freshman year).
 
Morality is a person centered, attitude-shaping course designed to help teenagers make good, moral decisions in a modern society. Students will have the opportunity to think about and discuss attitudes, values, both personal and societal, goals and the principles that shape their character development. Emphasis is placed on positive norms, moral responsibility, and independent decision making. The use of diverse learning strategies, flexible class formats and current films and media will supplement the content included in the student text. Social Justice will expand on the concepts taught in Morality. The focus is to immerse students in the Church’s vision of justice. The behaviors and values of society will be examined and analyzed. Principles of Catholic Social Teaching taken from documents of the Catholic Church and Sacred Scripture will be compared with perceived social values of the 21st Century. Students will be challenged to incorporate these Catholic social justice values into their lives, primarily through their Christian Service opportunities. Successful completion of Religion II is required (if the student was present at HSHS for Sophomore year).
 
EXPLORING THE RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD This course will introduce students to the different religious traditions in the world. Students will study Judeo- Christian history, practice and tradition before expanding to the study of other religions of the world, including: Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Chinese and Japanese traditions. Student will also study the different denominations of Christianity that sprung from the Protestant Reformation. A brief history of the traditions including information on the founders and major figures will be studied followed by selections on beliefs, practices, sacred places and sacred times. Each section will conclude with how each religion relates to the Roman Catholic faith.
  1. VOCATIONS Students will understand that we all have a call either to the single, married, ordained or vowed life. They will research these states of life and consider their call and the career they will choose as they prepare for graduation from high school.
Successful completion of Religion III is required (if the student was present at HSHS for Junior year).
 
In order to experience a full faith formation process, students at Holy Spirit High School are required to participate in meaningful service to others. Students are encouraged and expected to reach out to the needs of their fellow students, their faith communities, local non-profit agencies and civic organizations in the surrounding counties. The goal of Christian Service is to empower our students to embrace diversity, to acquire better interpersonal skills, and to develop compassion for others. This program combines active community service with an academic reflective component. These experiences will inform and form students with habits of lifelong community service.
 
Parameters for Christian Service according to grade levels: Seniors: direct person-to-person(s) service, unrelated by friendship or family. Service with poor, needy & disadvantaged in the local communities. (June 2018 to March 30, 2019) Minimum hours required: 20
 
Juniors: Collaborate in small groups or as individuals to perform works or mercy and social action, in school, faith, or local communities (Food Banks, Soup kitchens, Charity fundraisers). (June 2018 to May 18, 2019) Minimum hours required: 15
 
Sophomores: provide service by supporting HSHS Spirit and Community Outreach endeavors. (June 2018 to May 18, 2019) Minimum hours required: 12
 
Freshmen: serve others within Holy Spirit HS community on campus, or participate in their faith/church community, outside of school hours, or assist family members. (Sept. 2018 to May 18, 2019) Minimum hours required: 10
 
Service hours must be completed by the specified date. Both forms (contract and reflection paper) are to be returned completed to the student's religion teacher on or before the deadline date. Absence is not an excuse for late forms. Designated hours must be completed before re-admittance to next grade level. Students will receive a Pass or Fail grade on their report cards under the heading, "Christian Service." For seniors, the service component is a mandated requirement for graduation.