St. John the Baptist High School

The Department of Evangelization and Catechesis is committed to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.  We are aligned with the Church’s desire for a New Evangelization of our culture and work in conjunction with Bishop Barres to bring about his vision of “dynamic missionary growth” in our diocese.  In our lessons, our reading of Sacred Scripture, the Catechism, and Church documents, we strive to learn more about Christ and His Church.  In our recitation of the Rosary, periods of Adoration, and celebration of the Sacred Liturgy, we draw ever nearer to our Risen and Merciful Lord, Jesus Christ.  
 
 In light of the teachings of the Gospel, our students participate in 5 hours of service per quarter to serve our brothers and sisters in our school and in our community.

101 RELIGIOUS STUDIES 9 - JESUS AND THE CHURCH YEAR – This course is an overview of Catholic Christian faith using the Nicene Creed as its foundation. Topics will include the Trinity, the person of Jesus Christ in both Scripture and Tradition, the Holy Spirit as the foundation of the Church, the Church as the Body of Christ in the world, the sacraments, the communion of saints and the final judgment: heaven, hell and purgatory.

211 RELIGIOUS STUDIES 10 - SCRIPTURE - Students will study the meaning of inspiration and revelation and understand how to read and interpret the Bible as the Church’s book, in the context of the community of faith. Beginning with God’s plan for us in creation, students will study the promises of God in the Old Testament as they unfold in the narrative history of Israel, culminating in the life and message of Jesus, his death and resurrection, and the gift of the Spirit as the foundation of the Church.

321/322 RELIGIOUS STUDIES 11 – CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN MORALITY- The first semester will explore the Biblical foundations of morality including the Ten Commandments and teaching of Christ. Topics include the formation of conscience and the process of moral decision-making. The second semester will explore Church teaching on contemporary moral issues such as human sexuality, abortion and the right to life, the Just War tradition and peacemaking, racism, poverty, the stewardship of creation, capital punishment, and euthanasia.

431/432 RELIGIOUS STUDIES 12 – Why Believe? A Senior Year Course in the New Apologetics Year – Building on previous courses in Scripture and religion, this summative course will introduce students to philosophical questions concerning the nature of God and human identity. With a curriculum designed and supported by the Augustine Institute (an accredited graduate school of Theology), this course will include a dedicated textbook and multimedia elements. Students will have opportunities for discussion and debate in a course of study that will propose and examine the claims of reason and the mysteries of faith. More than mere academic endeavor, the course will include elements drawn from the rich artistic traditions of the Church and from the witness offered by Saints across the ages.