RELIGION 2
(Tenth Grade, 2 terms, 1 credit, Required)
Term 1 - The Christian Testament:  Continuing her study of the Scriptures, the student now turns to the experience of Jesus and the development of the Christian Community.  Through this course, the student will gain a better understanding of how the Christian Testament was written, whom it was written for and by, and what it means for us in today's world.  Special emphasis is given to the study of each of the four Gospels.  A brief examination of Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, and The Book of Revelation is also included.

Term 2 - Church:  The study of the Church is a continuation of the study of Salvation History examined in the two Scripture courses.  The course is designed to help the student define what the Church is, based on a study of where it has been.  This will lead to an understanding of the ideal Church and the responsibility of each member to make that ideal a reality.  Much of this course deals with the history of the Catholic Church and includes units on:  the Early Church, the Post-Apostolic Church, the Church in the Dark and Middle Ages, the Reformation, and the Church today.  The course will also present women role models in preparing the student to exercise leadership in the Church in a changing world.

RELIGION 3
(Eleventh Grade, 2 terms, 1 credit, Required)
Term 1 - Morality:  This class explores the meaning of right and wrong in the student's life, examining the major principles of Catholic morality and Church teaching on key moral issues.  The S.T.O.P. sign method provides the student with a systematic and thorough approach to conscience formation and the moral decision making process.  The course explores the question of how one knows what is good.  In the Christian perspective, there are norms upon which the decisions are based.  Further questions which are explored include:  What is it that we can learn from Jesus?  How do I make a decision?  What does it mean to be a free human being, particularly in light of the Christian perspective on sexuality, judgment, forgiveness, and responsibility to self, neighbor and God?
Term 2 - Social Justice:  One must not only struggle with her own moral choices, she must also critically study, evaluate, and respond to the many issues of injustice in society.  In this course, the student will learn the principles of justice and peace, and apply them to current issues as she is challenged to build a better world.  The course discusses the dignity of all human beings, basic rights and needs, solidarity, subsidiarity, and social structures.  It deals with such issues as Prejudice, World Poverty and Hunger in America, Capital Punishment, Stewardship of the Environment, Violence, and Peace.  Using resources such as speakers from local social service agencies, current films and publications, and experiential learning activities, the student will come to a fuller realization of her Christian response to some of the problems facing her in today's world.  By recognizing and appreciating the dignity and self-worth of each individual, she will begin to see the commonality of all humanity and her responsibility to help create a more just world.

RELIGION 4
(Twelfth Grade, 2 terms, 1 credit, required)
Term 1 - Christian Lifestyles (1/2 credit):  The first semester of the senior year considers how to create Christian lifestyle.  This course deals with freedom and self-actualization, and attempts to bring the student to an understanding of herself as a Christian woman aware of her God-given potential as it is experienced in contemporary society.  By taking a critical look at her own life as well as the lives of others, the student will discover the innate goodness and potential within each person.  By looking to Jesus Christ as the ideal role model, the student will discover those areas in her life she needs to especially develop as she grows toward a future that is hopeful, healthy, and full.  Topics included are:  Dreams and Visions of Your Future; Identity and Autonomy; Love and Sexuality; Communication; Dating; and an examination of the three lifestyle choices:  Single Life, Religious Life, and Married Life.
Term 2--Electives:

The student is required to choose a one-term elective to be taken any time during the senior year.  Courses which will be offered during the 1999-2000 school year include Death and Life; Prayer; World Religions; Women in the Church; and Community Service.  Electives are offered only to juniors and seniors.  Although one course is required, students may take more than one religion elective.

Religion Elective Courses:

PRAYER
(Eleventh or Twelfth Grade, 1 term, ½  credit, Elective)
This course is designed to help the student explore the possibility of a deeper spiritual life and a closer relationship to God through prayer.  Content will include a study of what prayer is, kinds of prayer, relating to God, God and friendship, paryer styles, techniques and methods in prayer, obstacles to prayer, etc.  Emphasis in this course will be on student input and experience, with much time given to reflection, discussion, journaling, various student and teacher planned prayer experiences, and student presentations.

DEATH AND LIFE
(Eleventh or Twelfth Grade, 1 term, ½  credit, Elective)
Death is something which touches everyone’s life.  We can either deny it or suffer the consequences, or we can deal with it in a healthy way and learn from it.  In this course, aspects of loss will be investigated: physical, psychological, financial, and spiritual.  Although time may be spent looking at the practical side of death, special emphasis is placed on what it teaches about life and beyond.  Topics may include:  suffering; aging; stages in death; anger with God; afterlife; near-death situations; suicide; dealing with feelings; children and death; moral issues of death, etc.  This course will include frequent class discussions and a student presentation.

WORLD RELIGIONS
(Eleventh or Twelfth Grade, 1 term, ½  credit, Elective)
World Religions is a study of the basic questions about life: Who are we?  Why are we here?  What is life about?  What happens when we die?  It looks at the answers given to these questions by other religions of the world and compares them with those which Christians believe.  Class discussion is an important part of this course, and openness to and respect for views that differ from our own are prerequisites.  Student presentations are required.  World Religions will include the study of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Taoism, Confucianism, and Judaism.