All students are required to take eight credits of Religion towards graduation. If a religion course is failed, the course requirement may be fulfilled by attending a summer course taught by one of the instructors in the Religion Department, if it is available. Alternatively, the student may repeat the entire course during the following school year, thereby being enrolled in two religion courses concurrently.
Religion 9: Introduction to Cathedral, Holy Cross, and Catholicism – Semester 1 (Academic)
C3090AF 1 Semester 1 Credit
Prerequisite:
None.
Course Description:
Semester 1 is part 1 of 2: INTRODUCTION TO OUR COMMUNITY OF FAITH – The purpose of this course is to introduce students to Cathedral High School by exploring her rich history and traditions. It also covers the history of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the Core Values, and how Holy Cross is interwoven into Cathedral’s history. Lastly, the course offers an introduction to the Catholic faith.
Religion 9: The Divine and Supernatural World – Semester 2 (Academic)
C3090AS 1 Semester 1 Credit
Prerequisite:
Religion 9 – Semester 1.
Course Description:
Semester 2 is part 2 of 2: THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST IN SCRIPTURE – This course introduces the Bible as divinely inspired. By studying the Sacred Scriptures, the students will learn to identify evidence of divine inspiration unveiled by connections between the Old and New Testaments. The course emphasizes how Jesus Christ is prefigured in and fulfills the prophecies of the Old Testament. Students are challenged to know the Mystery of Jesus Christ who is the full and final Revelation of God. They are encouraged to initiate or continue growing their personal relationship with Him.
Religion 10 – Salvation Through Jesus Christ – Semester 1 (Academic)
C3100AF 1 Semester 1 Credit
Prerequisite:
Two semesters of Religion 9.
Course Description:
Semester 1 is part 1 of 2: THE MISSION OF JESUS CHRIST (PASCHAL MYSTERY) – This course helps students understand all that God has done for us by sending His Son, Jesus Christ. Students learn that they are redeemed by Jesus through His Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension.
Religion 10 – Morality – Semester 2 (Academic)
C3100AS 1 Semester 1 Credit
Prerequisite:
Two semesters of Religion 9 and Religion 10 Semester 1.
Course Description:
Semester 2 is part 2 of 2: LIFE IN JESUS CHRIST – Students are introduced to what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Through study of the precepts and moral concepts found in both the Old and New Testament and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, students explore how God is calling them to live out His good and loving plan for their lives.
Catholic Social Teaching – Semester 1 (Academic)
C321AF/C321AS 1 Semester 1 Credit
Prerequisite:
One year of Religion 9 and Religion 10. Required for juniors in the fall semester.
Course Description:
The purpose of this course is to encounter how Christ’s concern for others, especially the poor and needy, is present today in the Church’s social teaching and mission.
During this course, students will discuss social justice issues and concerns facing our world today. There will be specific emphasis placed on the seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching as identified by the U.S. Bishops: life and dignity of the human person; call to family, community and participation; responsibilities and rights; preferential option for the poor; dignity of work and rights of workers; solidarity; and care for God’s creation. Additionally, throughout the semester, students will follow a service learning curriculum to develop their own St. Andre Project, a service capstone project.
Apologetics (Academic)
C332AF/C332AS 1 Semester 1 Credit
Prerequisite:
Open to juniors and seniors.
Course Description:
In this class, students will learn why the Church teaches what it does and how to defend the Church’s position on key issues. We’ll look at the fundamental questions that confront the faith, the history of disputes, and how the answers they came to, and learn how to address the biggest questions confronting the faith today. This course is for those who enjoy philosophy, debating, discussion-oriented classes, diving deeper into Church teaching, or questioning key teachings of the faith.
Comparative Religions (Academic)
C325AF/C325A 1 Semester 1 Credit
Prerequisite:
Open to juniors and seniors.
Course Description:
This course engages students in an overview of the religions around the world, including, but not limited to, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Sikhism, Judaism, and Islam. Through an exploration of religious beliefs, students will be able to understand the basic similarities and differences of religious traditions and their relationship with Catholic Christianity. By strengthening the students’ own faith and developing more awareness for the cultural and historical worldviews, students will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Faith in Athletics (Academic)
C333AF/C333AS 1 Semester 1 Credit
Prerequisite:
Open to juniors and seniors.
Course Description:
Learn about the history of sports in Catholic schools and how athletes have been witnesses to their faith on and off of the field. We will use a variety of the texts written by Father Patrick Kelly as a guide for the semester.
Faith in Films (Academic)
C323AF/C323AS 1 Semester 1 Credit
Prerequisite:
Open to juniors and seniors.
Course Description:
Explore various theological themes through modern films while reading important theological minds in the Christian tradition. By reflecting on the modern art of filmmaking, students discern what is True, Good, and Beautiful while attaining a more sacramental worldview. Example: Examining moral action in The Dark Knight through the lens of Robert Cardinal Sarah, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Pope Benedict XVI.
Holy Cross Student Leadership (Academic)
C324AF/C324AS 1 Semester 1 Credit
Prerequisite:
Open to juniors and seniors.
Course Description:
Students will discuss and practice leadership within the context of Holy Cross. Students will learn about different leadership styles and theories. The goal of this course is to prepare students to be better leaders. Students will learn leadership is service oriented. There will be opportunities to serve Cathedral in various ways in this class. One of these ways is by serving as a mayor for your town in CORE.
Religion and Politics (Academic)
C328AF/C328AS 1 Semester 1 Credit
Prerequisite:
Open to juniors and seniors.
Course Description:
This course will look at current political issues and explore how religious beliefs impact how we vote and who and what we support. It includes an exploration of the intellectual tools Catholics and others can utilize as they analyze candidates and make difficult decisions. We will examine contentious church-state issues here in America, as well as the various relationships between religion and government abroad.
Science and Religion (Academic)
C327AF/C327AS 1 Semester 1 Credit
Prerequisite:
Open to juniors and seniors.
Course Description:
Beginning with foundational concepts and the real distinction between scientific and theological ways of knowing the universe, the course explores the historical background to the complex relationship between science and religion. Explore the relationship between the biblical creation accounts and modern cosmology and between Sacred Tradition/Church history and modern science, culminating with a closer look at the Catholic doctrine and teachings in the light of modern scientific discoveries and practices. Explore topics in ethics, bioethics, and environmental concerns, among others. This course aims to foster critical thinking, respectful and informed dialogue by examining how these two ways of explaining truth have interacted, clashed, and coexisted throughout history and into the present.
Spiritual Warfare (Academic)
C322AF/C322AS 1 Semester 1 Credit
Prerequisite:
Open to juniors and seniors.
Course Description:
This course will examine the spiritual life as manifested in the battle between angels and demons, the lives of the saints, our own daily journey of striving for holiness, and how God equips us in this life. Students will gain a better understanding of how to listen to and follow God’s loving will in their everyday lives through study of Scripture, the Catechism, lives of the saints, and various spiritual traditions of the Church.
Wellspring of Worship: Exploring the Liturgy (Academic)
C326AF/C326AS 1 Semester 1 Credit
Prerequisite:
Open to juniors and seniors.
Course Description:
Students will survey the biblical and traditional development of the Mass in addition to studying other rites within the Catholic Church. This class will also involve a service component in which students will learn the various liturgical ministries both within and outside of the context of the Mass. Students will be able to understand the Mass as primarily being an act of Evangelization, the “source and summit” of the Christian life.
Peer Ministry Formation (Academic)
C314AS 1 Semester 1 Credit
Prerequisite:
Open to juniors only by selection.
Course Description:
The Peer Ministry Program flows from the Gospel message “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) Peer ministers are trained with interpersonal communication skills, listening skills, social skills, and the ability to lead small groups. Established in 1986, the Peer Ministry Program is designed to enhance the connectedness between the freshman student and the Cathedral community as a whole. Interested students are invited to participate in the application and interview process during the fall semester of their junior year.
Peer Ministry Practicum (Academic)
C314AF 1 Semester 1 Credit
Prerequisite:
Open to seniors only by selection.
Course Description:
The Peer Ministry Program flows from the Gospel message “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) Mentors have been trained with interpersonal communication skills, listening skills, social skills and the ability to lead small groups. They will implement these skills during Freshman Resource, Lughnasa, Freshman Retreat and Orientations. Established in 1986, the Peer Ministry Program is designed to enhance the connectedness between the freshman student and the Cathedral community as a whole.