SECONDARY LEVEL RELIGION CURRICULUM

The Religious Studies Department at Incarnate Word Academy Secondary Level has set a course of study which facilitates a holistic approach to Catholic education. To ensure that all the three interlocking dimensions, message, community and service, are evident in the school program the course of studies is based on the adult model for learning. Interwoven among these three dimensions is the dual dynamic of liturgical celebration and personal prayer. The program provides special emphasis on a particular area at the different grade levels which includes a comprehensive presentation of the various dimensions of faith development. The aim of the program is to enable a response in faith which is free, conscious and active.

At each level students study and experience the development and celebration of each liturgical season. Students use the Scriptures on a daily basis and are required to contribute 24 hours of volunteer service per year.

Religious Studies I: Scripture

Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament - First Semester

To deepen an understanding of the Judeo-Christian relationship this course presents an overview of the Hebrew Scriptures. Ancient Israel 's culture, language, customs and history are seen in relation to the formation of the Bible. Students study, read and reflect Scripture, do map work and have many opportunities to apply Scripture teachings to their own lives. This process is aimed at enabling them to build their relationship with a personal God.

Christology/New Testament - Second Semester

To enhance the student's experience of Christ this course provides an in-depth study of the person of Jesus. The course includes a look at each evangelist, his audience, his purpose in writing the Gospel, and at his particular message about Jesus. The other types of books in the New Testament are also included in the study. The students are given reflective activities to encourage them to develop or deepen their personal relationship with the person of Jesus, the Incarnate Word.

Religious Studies II: Morality

Gifted and Growing (Morality) - 2 semesters

The course is designed to help students come to a personal response to God's call to holiness and is designed to help the young person to develop an informed conscience from which they think and act morally. In order to accomplish this task the student learns Christian values, freedom and responsibility, the formation of character and conscience, sin, forgiveness, respect for life, sexuality and relationships. This course focuses on one's responsibility to share God-given gifts and talents and is aimed at inviting the student to include God as a vibrant factor in choosing the direction of one's life.

Religious Studies III: World Religions/Church History

World Religions - 12 weeks
Church History - 24 weeks

In order to prepare students to interact in a multi-faceted world the first part of this course introduces them to the key elements of religion in general--worship, revelation, and community. It presents the major religions of the world--Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, and some of the Far East religions. The course includes a study of the founders, the basic teachings, rituals and customs of each of the religions. Through this study the student can come to a fuller understanding and respect of other religions and be challenged to a deeper appreciation and participation of one's own faith.

The major part of the year the students discuss the main developments, and the people and events that have shaped the Catholic Church leading them to reflect on their participation in and commitment to the Church. Students are enabled to develop a deeper understanding of how God works in human history and in their own lives. As they come to appreciate the contributors of the past generations to their faith community, they are challenged to become part of the evolving history of the Church.

Religious Studies IV: Peace Through Justice/Marriage and Family Living/Death

Peace Through Justice - First Semester
Lifestyles/Marriage and Family Living; Life/Death - Second Semester

The Senior program is designed to help students prepare for the future by teaching them communication skills, and helping them make informed choices. They explore the four basic approaches/ lifestyles as formal vocations in the Church. Each lifestyle is studied so as to reflect on the challenges and blessings presented in each. This is done so that the students may see each as a real option and so they can learn skills to enable them to see themselves as they really are and can thus make better informed choices about their personal future and their role as active members of the Church. Students also explore the principles of peach and justice and learn some of the basic elements needed in order to help establish a peace based on the biblical sense of justice.

The second semester the students review and deepen their understanding of the sacramentalness of marriage. They study the value of a permanent commitment and the meaning of the term "the domestic Church." They explore the difference between a wedding and a marriage, will review relationships and communications skills. They explore the role of parenthood and will learn different parenting models. They are also given the opportunity to learn what can be done in order to continue with life when relationships fail.

This final year is designed to enable students to reverence life, to treat others with love, to see themselves as co-creators with God while being incarnations of God's love.

Liturgical Celebrations Prayer

Liturgical celebrations are a vital part of one's faith development. To prepare students to experience this dimension they are given the opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist in small groups on a weekly basis. Following a schedule, classes take turns preparing these celebrations. Students from that class assume leadership roles as lectors and altar servers. Once a month the whole Secondary Level gathers for Eucharistic celebration. Classes also share the responsibility of preparing for this celebration. For these celebrations students also set up the gym for Mass which includes setting the altar and for these they are responsible for the ambiance/environment for the celebration. This is done according to the liturgical season or theme of the Mass.

Seasonally students have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and are also involved with traditions such as the October or May rosary, the Jesse Tree, Advent wreath, stations of the cross etc. Students also contribute alms during the Advent and Lenten seasons as they practice stewardship of time, talent and/or money.

Students have many opportunities for scriptural work throughout the program and some use the scriptures on a daily basis as they take turns leading prayer for the class. They are encouraged to use both traditional and spontaneous prayer.

Retreat Program

The Retreat Program at Incarnate Word Academy is presently designed to enable students to spend one day off campus in order to reflect on, to evaluate and to adjust the reality of their choices and the focus of their faith development. Every quarter one class has a retreat day experience. This is considered part of the class and all students are expected to be present.

Through reflection and sharing, the day provides students the opportunity to evaluate their relationship with God, with family, with each other in class and their involvement in their parish and/or larger civic community.

The Religious Studies Department Chair, Religion teachers and other faculty members who work with a particular class level design and staff a specific program for that group. Parental support is evidenced through their providing healthy snack refreshments and practical back-up/presence.

Service

One of the interlocking dimensions of faith development is service. Students are required to contribute 24 hours of volunteer service per year. They are given a list of suggested projects and they choose what they feel will be most beneficial to them and others. They take the responsibility to get an approval from their teacher before they do their service, to make the contacts, to complete the service, to obtain a signature from an adult who supervised them and to write a reflection on their experience. Often what began as a requirement has become a personal commitment. Many students do much more than the required six hours each quarter.

Academic Chair

In May, 1989, the Incarnate Word High School Alumni allocated $5,000 to initiate an academic chair program in the high school. The chair has been named the Jeanne Chezard de Matel Chair and has been designated for religious or spiritual enhancement of the secondary level community.

It was proposed that the initial step of this program be used during the Jubilee Year of Blessing to provide a presentation to invigorate that faith life of the secondary level faith community.

• Elementary
• Middle Level
• Secondary Level