Question 1

St. Mary's Volunteer Service Hours

Accepted Answer

The Mission Statement of St. Mary's High School includes our goal to "form thestudent's character by giving witness to Jesus Christ." Service to others is acornerstone of Christianity. We are called to serve like Jesus did. By reaching out toothers we increase our understanding, knowledge, and empathy for the world aroundus. We also respond to our Lord's plea to "Love one another as I have loved you."As stated in the St. Mary's High School Philosophy Statement, "As a community webelieve people have a responsibility to one another."The minimum Service Hour Requirement for all grade levels is as follows:1. Freshmen - 10 Hours2. Sophomores - 20 Hours3. Juniors - 30 Hours*4. Seniors - 40 Hours*Service hours for the 2016-2017 school year may be started on June 30, 2016, andmust be completed by May 1, 2017, for Seniors and June 1, 2017, for Underclassmen.Students must complete all of their mandatory service hours in order to pass theirreligion course. Seniors will not be allowed to graduate with unfinished service hours.Service to others does not include any service that benefits you personally. Forexample, if your softball team sponsors a garage sale and you work at that event, youmay not count that for service hours. The proceeds are benefiting you and yourteam. The goal of service hours is to benefit others and to experience newopportunities and situations.Household chores for family members do not count as service hours.Babysitting/house sitting do not count as service hours.*For Juniors and Seniors, at least half of their Service Hours must be for anorganization other than St. Mary’s High School.

Question 2

Religion 9

Accepted Answer

1 CreditThis yearlong course is an overview of the Catholic faith. It touches on the Church’sbasic beliefs and practices. Topics include our faith’s understanding of God, Jesus, theHoly Spirit, Sacred Scripture, prayer, liturgy, sacraments, and morality. A practicalapplication of the Church’s beliefs is explored. This is done by helping students tocontinue to develop a healthy Christian life-style including issues of personal identity,development, self-image, communication, family, friendship, sexuality, work, money,leisure, and life vocations. Students are required to complete a total of 10 hours (fiveeach semester) of community service.

Question 3

Old and New Testament

Accepted Answer

Students will recognize the story of the people of Israel as the root of their own faithstory. This course introduces the student to a survey of major themes from the Biblesuch as sin, covenant, and redemption.This course also places an emphasis on the connection between Hebrew and ChristianScriptures. Catholic Christian tradition is rooted in an understanding of the message ofJesus found in the New Testament, particularly the Gospels. Students will discoverwho Jesus is and what He means in each person’s life. This program will foster adevelopment of a personal, deeply relational experience of Jesus Christ. The history ofthe Church will be reflected on in the active and continuing presence of God.

Question 4

Morality and Social Justice

Accepted Answer

This course will focus on the moral teachings of the Bible, conscience formation,processes used for moral decision-making, and bioethics. Issues will be analyzed inthe light of current debate and the teachings of the Church. Catholic and biblicalteaching as a counter-cultural force is examined. Topics will include beginning of lifeissues such as fertilization, abortion, surrogacy, and cloning. End of life issues such assuicide, euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, hospice, and living wills will beexamined. Death and dying, as well as grief instruction, will also be presented. Moralityin the business world and in technology will also be covered.Students will understand the Church’s teaching on Social Justice issues, includingtheir sources rooted in the Old and New Testament plus Papal and Episcopaldocuments. This first-semester course will call students to discern discrepancies,where they exist, between social realities and Gospel values, and to develop strategiesto make Gospel values operative. The students will develop a foundation for a socialjustice consciousness and learn how the Church addresses current social justiceissues of our time.We will also will focus on specific justice issues including the ethics of life, racism,poverty, environmental concerns, and the challenge of peace. An appreciation fordiversity through culture, tradition, and other world religions will be explored.

Question 5

Retreat Peer Ministry

Accepted Answer

1/4 Credit (see Mrs. Powers for more information)Grade 12This course focuses on the formation of students in preparing and conducting retreats.This course is twofold in scope: (1) to introduce the student to various forms of spiritualand liturgical experiences; and (2) to develop leadership, organizational, and planningskills. This course will meet as part of the 12th grade religion course.

Question 6

Philosophy and Catholic Culture

Accepted Answer

1/2 Credit (see Mr. Fay or Mrs. Powers for more information)Grade 10-12This course will begin with the Greeks, Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates, placing theemphasis on the predominant thinkers of Christian thought, namely, Thomas Aquinas,Augustine, Maritan, and Courtney-Murray. If time permits, some consideration will begiven to Avery Cardinal Dulles. The focus will be driven by historical views asinfluencing Catholic Theology.