Theology

The goal and philosophy of the Theology department at Saint Christopher Academy is to inform, form, and transform our students and how they live, with the meaning and ethic of the Catholic faith. We are committed to this goal alongside our parents, who are the primary educators of their child’s faith. Our curriculum adheres closely to the Diocese of Manchester guidelines and the framework for our curriculum is deeply embedded in the four basic components of the Catholic tradition: faith, worship (sacraments), moral life, and prayer. Theology classes meet every day and are a recognized discipline within the school curricula.

Our school community prays together at liturgies, at Adoration, and at various prayer and reconciliation services. Additionally, students can participate in various service projects, and mini-retreat experiences.

Theology Curriculum Goals:

Grade 7

The students in grade seven explore the historical Jesus and the four New Testament gospels. Learners will grow in understanding of the message and mission of Jesus Christ. The liturgy and the seven sacraments are examined closely and students will search the meaning of the mystery of Christ for contemporary Christian life. Within the sacrament of marriage, a respect life section is studied and students will explore the dignity of every stage of human life; and be introduced to Saint John Paull II’s Theology of the Body. The students will investigate the lives of the saints, and discuss how to incorporate what they learn into their own everyday lives.

In addition to the formal curriculum, students will look closely at the scripture readings for the upcoming Sunday liturgy and analyze them from an historical, cultural, social justice, and spiritual context. A social justice unit about World and American poverty is studied and students will explore the seven themes of Catholic social justice. Lastly, students explore various types of prayer in Chapel exercises and during Eucharistic adoration.

Grade 8

The students in grade eight do an extensive study of the Ten Commandments. Students will discuss and examine what it means to be called to holiness, and how to examine today’s morals and values in light of the Gospels. The Theological and Cardinal virtues, the Beatitudes, the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, and the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching are explored alongside the Commandments, equipping students to find true happiness and be a living presence of God in our world today.

Students will study the Catholic Church in history, exploring the origins and purpose of the Church. The mission and meaning of the mystery of the Church will be examined throughout the various centuries and in the modern world. Theology of the Body is an additional subject that the grade eight students study. The students will come to realize that God, who is love, created them out of love and calls them to love.