PHILOSOPHY OF THE RELIGIOUS STUDIES DEPARTMENT
Forming Good Christians and Honest Citizens
The Religious Studies Department attempts to carry out in an intentional and holistic manner the mission of Salesian High School. Religious studies intends to educate students to develop into good Christian women and men whose lives and accomplishments will benefit humankind and give glory to God. The Department emphasizes in its four year program the spiritual development of the young person and its effects on the well being of each student. At the same time, the Religious Studies Department seeks to present the young people with the Christian principles at the heart of the Roman Catholic Church as expressed specifically through the spirit’s gift of the Salesian Charism.
Through reason, religion and loving kindness
Academic rigor is balanced with a focus on the lived experience of Christ in all that the Religious Studies department attempts to accomplish. The department places special emphasis on the three pillars of Salesian educational philosophy: the capacity to reason with each student, to present religion in a real, coherent and meaningful manner and to manifest relationality in and out of the classroom marked by a deep respect for the dignity of each young person and do so in a kind and loving manner. All academic courses strive to integrate faith and culture in the lived experience of the young .
To enable the integration of faith and life
Members of the department see their presence and work within the larger context of Salesian High School as both a support and a model of the Salesian Charism The department members are actively engaged in the faith life of the students and faculty. The department is first in announcing the gospel message of love, in encouraging faith commitment in the students through experiences of prayer and worship, and offering opportunities for Christian Service.
In and out of the classroom
The unique partnership between Campus Ministry and the Religion Department seeks to facilitate the understanding true faith is both understood and experienced. Ultimately, the Religious Studies Department sees as its ‘subject’ our human existence, reflected on in the context of God’s love for each one of us and lived in the day to day.
Department Goals
The overarching goal of the formation of good Christians and honest citizens in keeping with sound Salesian educational praxis dictates what we, at Salesian High School, take as the four major goals of our department.
We make God’s Word “HOME” in our hearts
1. To educate the students to be open to God’s word of life in their lives through study, reflection and response to the traditions, values and challenges of the person of Jesus Christ as found in Scripture and rooted in the history and tradition of the Roman Catholic Church. Through academic work, applied to the lived experience of the students, they are encouraged to know God’s word as it is written on their hearts and to make God’s word of life ‘home’ in their lives.
Through experiencing God at the “SCHOOL” of day to day living
2. To facilitate in each student the capacity to make the connections between faith and life, to seek the loving presence of God manifested in and through the day to day events so that each student may experience God at the school of daily life itself. While content is delivered in a coherent and systematic manner, students will be challenged always to discern and discover the religious experience at the heart of all matters of faith.
And celebrating “CHURCH” in communion with those around us
3. To foster commitment to faith and spiritual development in each student through active participation in prayer and worship. The celebration of the annual Triduum is an integral part of the curriculum of the Religious Studies Department as are the various student body celebrations of the Eucharist, the class retreats, the various salesian feasts or special days. These are prepared for and evaluated with the class groups so as to ensure the students’ understanding of belonging to a lively and meaningful ‘church’ community.
In an atmosphere of “PLAY” which seeks to outreach and impact the neighborhood
4. To encourage to give witness to Christ through service in a variety of ways. Students are encouraged to participate in all manner of events both in and out of the classroom so as to encourage the play and pray dynamic of the faith, so important to salesian education. Relationships are built then, in and out of the classroom, in an intentional manner to encourage and draw out the good in each person.