mySTMC

Religion

The mission and vision of the Religion Department are based on the Essential Elements of a Christian Brother education.  We strive to enrich the spiritual lives of our students and encourage them to manifest their faith through instruction, community service and personal growth.  The curriculum and co-curriculum experiences (i.e. retreats) encourage students to live a Christian lifestyle. Overall, through our teaching, mission collections, service program and the presence of the Christian Brothers living and volunteering at the school, the Religion Department works to foster a positive religious experience for our community.

Students of St. Thomas More Collegiate must pass their Religion class to advance to the next grade.  If a student fails Religion, the student will be required to work on a series of assignments. Successful completion of this project will allow the student to advance to the next grade.

Religion Courses

Religion 8

Religion 8 serves as a foundation for our Catholic community with a focus on the basic overview of the Old Testament and God’s covenant relationship with us.  Students will also learn about the life and charism of Blessed Edmund Rice and the Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education. In addition, an introduction to prayer, the sacraments, the liturgy and Theology of the body will be covered in this course.

Religion 9

Religion 9 is a study of the New Testament with a special focus on Jesus as a person, his position as the son of God, how he was called, his discipleship and his mission.  The course covers Jesus and the Mystical Body, the Sacraments, the Eucharist and the Liturgical Year.

Several main units of study are involved in this course and they are principally focused on the key events of Jesus’ life and the central themes that are found in the gospels.  The other major component of the course is how we as individuals fit in with the teachings of Jesus, prayer life, the sacraments, the liturgy and Theology of the body.

Religion 10

The focus of this course is Moral theology, including the study of natural Law, conscience and its formation, Sin and Virtue.  The course is designed to make the student think by discovery. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is covered, as are decision-making, critical thinking skills, specific moral issues, and sexual ethics.  Morality comes from the Latin word moralitatem meaning ‘character”.  The choices we make build our character and shape the people we become.  If life is a trip, morality is our road map. This course explores Catholic teaching and questions societal values, providing students with an opportunity to shape and flex their moral compass.

Religion 11

The focus of this course is Church history. The Church has a very rich and complicated past. As Catholics, we believe that Jesus Christ is God. Therefore, the most important event in our history was the Incarnation. The second most important event must be the establishment of our Church by Christ.  Throughout the year, we will be examining the Church and its history to have a better understanding of the Church.

This course is intended to help you appreciate and understand the history of the Catholic Church by tracing the major moments in Church history; showing how the Church is on a journey guided by the Holy Spirit, fostering knowledge and pride in Christian heritage and identity; exposing students to Catholic writers, helping students recognize themselves as Church; and by examining the connections between Church and state throughout history.

Religion 12

Religion 12 is designed to help students develop a fundamental understanding of how Catholicism interacts with who they are and how they plan to live the rest of their lives. The course is designed to help students explore issues involving decisions about life, legal, cultural, and moral dimensions. In addition, students will take a deeper look at the church teachings as it relates to human life and the dignity of the person. An overall analysis of the Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education will also be a focus of this year.