Religious Studies
As a Catholic school in the Sacred Heart tradition which seeks to discover and reveal God’s love in the heart of the world, the Religious Studies Department aims to empower students to recognize their deep, inherent dignity as people formed in God’s image and to inspire them to become lifelong explorers of the interior and exterior worlds of faith. Through careful study and reflection upon Hebrew and Christian scriptures and history, contemporary Church teaching and practices, and an exploration of major world religious traditions, each of our religious studies courses aims to form students who are religiously literate and who appreciate the many ways that deep faith commitments shape our lives in service to God and our world. Across the curricula, students engage art, scripture, history, and prayer to develop the skills of socio-historical inquiry, textual analysis, theological interpretation, and ethical inquiry into the implications of faith. Students explore the many ways that faith and religion inform their personal worldviews, our school community, and the wider social contexts of our nation and our world.
In grades eight through twelve, all students participate in a retreat program. This much loved tradition, planned by department faculty and facilitated by student leaders, provides an opportunity for personal reflection, spiritual development, and community-building. The ultimate goal of these retreats is for all students to deepen their personal relationship with God within the context of a community of faith and belonging.
Middle School
Forming Lifelong Explorers of Faith
The Middle School religious studies curriculum aims to form students as lifelong explorers of faith. By studying Hebrew and Christian scriptures, Church teachings, and the lives of holy people recognized as exemplars of faith, spirituality and justice, students develop a deep understanding of their own dignity and the ways faith shapes the life of the human community. They examine scripture, prayer, art, and history to reflect on theological concepts and wrestle with ethical questions of identity, community, and ultimacy. As a whole, the curriculum inspires students to deepen their relationship with God and serve the world with compassion and justice. Through a variety of activities, students are encouraged to explore and integrate faith with personal growth, offering students opportunities to apply religious teachings to their own lives while engaging creatively with Catholic and Sacred Heart traditions.
Skills Emphasized
- Critical thinking
- Creative expression
- Personal reflection and self-awareness
- Community engagement
- Visual and textual analysis
- Communication
- Research skills
- Writing
- Public speaking
- Cross-curricular integration
- Collaboration and role-playing
- Religion 5: Prayer and Tradition
- Religion 6: Introduction to the Old Testament
- Religion 7: Introduction to the New Testament
- Religion 8: Saints and Social Justice
Religion 5: Prayer and Tradition
This course invites students to engage deeply with Sacred Heart traditions, rituals, and scripture, encouraging personal reflection and spiritual growth. Through prayer, study of sacraments, and exploration of Catholic saints, students develop an understanding of how faith can be lived in both personal and communal contexts. This course emphasizes connections between biblical teachings and modern life, focusing on care for creation, prayer, and
social justice.
Overview of Topics
- Prayer: How does prayerful reflection help us pay attention to what is important in life?
- Catholic Sacraments: What role do sacraments and rituals play in the Catholic faith?
- Traditions: How do the traditions unique to Sacred Heart inspire and guide us today?
- Scripture: What can we learn from biblical stories and their various interpretations?
- Care for Creation: How does faith encourage us to care for the environment?
- Lives of Saints: How do saints' lives teach us about faith and action?
- Liturgical Seasons: How do Lent, Advent, and Easter teach us about spiritual preparation, reflection, as well as both personal and community growth?
Signature Activities
- Voyagers excursions
- Prayer leadership
- Creative art projects
- Comparative scripture study
- Chapel service leadership
- Beatitudes reflection
- Vespers prayer service
Religion 6: Introduction to the Old Testament
This course focuses on the stories, values, and commitments found in the Old Testament, exploring how these ancient texts remain relevant today. Students delve into the major themes of covenant, faith, and mercy, as they examine the relationship between God, people, and creation. Through their study of the Bible, students are encouraged to reflect on spiritual, moral, and relational lessons, applying them to their own lives and our modern context.
Overview of Topics
- Origins and Structure: What are the origins and organization of the Old Testament? How do divine inspiration and human creativity intersect in its creation?
- Jewish Holidays: What do holidays such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot teach about reflection, repentance, and gratitude in Jewish tradition?
- Babylonian Exile and the Hebrew Bible: How did the Babylonian Exile influence the Jewish community and the formation of the Hebrew Bible?
- Stories of Genesis: What do the stories of Creation, Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, and the Abrahamic Covenant reveal about humanity’s relationship with God and creation?
- Covenant and Faith: What does the Old Testament teach us about the special relationship between Yahweh and the people of Israel?
- Passover and Easter: How are the events of Passover and the Exodus connected to the Christian celebration of Easter?
Signature Activities
- Exploring Jewish holidays
- Study of the Genesis stories
- Old Testament research project
- Investigation into the connection between Passover and Easter
- Creative artistic expression of Biblical Themes
Religion 7: Introduction to the New Testament
This course invites students to engage with the life of Jesus, focusing on his humanity and divinity, while exploring the context and relevance of his teachings in today’s world. Through scriptural analysis, artistic expression, and cross-curricular projects, students deepen their understanding of Jesus’ mission, his care for the marginalized, and his invitation to all to live a life of faith. The course follows the liturgical calendar, integrating the study of scripture with personal reflection and participation in religious celebrations.
Overview of Topics
- The Humanity and Divinity of Jesus: How do Jesus’ life and teachings reflect both his humanity and divinity? How can we relate to Jesus as fully human and fully divine?
- Jesus’ Concerns: How does Jesus’ ministry emphasize caring for the marginalized, healing the sick, and forgiving others?
- Mary and the Annunciation: What can we learn from Mary’s “Yes” to God? How does Mary’s faith inspire us to respond to our own callings?
- Beatitudes: How do the Beatitudes provide guidance for living a meaningful life?
- Infancy Narratives of Jesus: How do the different accounts of Jesus’ birth in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke reflect both historical and spiritual truths?
- The Passion and Resurrection: What do the Last Supper, Passion, and Resurrection teach us about sacrifice, faith, and hope?
Signature Activities
- Contemporary skit on “The Miraculous Catch”
- Annunciation poetry and art project
- Analysis of the infancy narratives
- Beatitudes art project
- Life of Jesus mixtape project
- Liturgical participation and celebrations
Religion 8: Saints and Social Justice
This course explores Catholic sainthood, social justice, and Catholic Social Teaching. Students examine the lives of saints, significant social justice leaders, and key principles that define a life of faith and service. By studying the evolution of sainthood and applying the principles of CST to contemporary issues, students deepen their understanding of how faith can inspire action. Through discussions, personal reflection, and creative projects students reflect on their own roles as modern disciples and saints in the making.
Overview of Topics
- Catholic Sainthood:
- What makes someone a saint and how has the concept evolved over time
- How do saints and saintly figures from various traditions inspire us today?
- Catholic Social Teaching:
- How do the seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching reflect our values and priorities? What role does faith play in addressing social injustice
- Nonviolence and Social Justice:
- How can we live out Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s philosophy of nonviolence
- How do Catholic leaders like Dorothy Day respond to societal needs through faith-based action?
- Discipleship:
- What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus, and how can we apply his teachings today by getting involved in service and social justice activities?
Signature Activities
- Saints in the stained glass of our chapel project
- Principles of Catholic Social Teaching project
- Laudato Si’ seminar and climate change debate
- Creative skits on contemporary nonviolence
- Research project on nominating a contemporary saint
Upper School
Exploring the Dynamics of Faith: Scripture, Prayer, Tradition, and Action
The Upper School Religious Studies curriculum is designed to cultivate students’ intellectual, spiritual, and ethical growth through a dynamic exploration of faith, tradition, and social justice. Rooted in a Christian worldview, the program encourages students to critically examine sacred texts, religious practices, and social issues through personal reflection and scholarly analysis.
Students begin with the Hebrew Scriptures, learning to interpret foundational texts that shape Judaism and Christianity. This groundwork prepares them for deeper engagement with Christian Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ -- his life, teachings, and ministry. Examining Catholic Social Teaching, students explore how the Church’s principles guide justice, peace, and human dignity, enabling them to address contemporary global issues with empathy and action. The curriculum concludes with the study of world religions, including Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, fostering interfaith understanding and cultural awareness. Through creative projects, class discussions, community service, and seminar-style assessments, students develop critical thinking, theological literacy, and the ability to engage with complex issues of faith and justice, preparing them to be thoughtful, compassionate leaders in a diverse and interconnected world.
The Upper School Religious Studies curriculum offers several signature experiences designed to foster intellectual curiosity, spiritual growth, and social responsibility, empowering students to connect their faith to the world around them and to emerge as leaders who are equipped to make a difference in local and global communities. These transformative learning experiences blend academic rigor, spiritual reflection, and social engagement:
- Psalm Project (Religion 9: Jewish Scripture & Tradition): As students conclude their studies of the Hebrew Bible and the history of the Israelite people, they develop and compose an original psalm. Students research the different types of psalms and the ways in which psalms reflect the longings, history, and emotions of both the individual and the community. Drawing inspiration from the women of faith studied over the course of the year, students write their own 30-line psalm that expresses joy, doubt, lament, or praise to God. Students also compose a visual representation of their psalm to share with the class.
- Homily Project (Religion 10: Jesus in the Gospels): In this project, students select a gospel passage, engage in in-depth research, and develop a personal reflection on the scripture. The culmination of this project involves delivering a scripture-based homily to their classmates from the pulpit in the school chapel. This experience encourages students to connect their faith to real-life issues, express their understanding in a meaningful way, and practice public speaking and leadership.
- The Hesed Project (Religion 11: Catholic Social Teaching & Action): A key component of the Catholic Social Teaching course, this project requires students to engage in 40 hours of community service working directly with people in need. Students reflect on their experiences and how the principles of Catholic Social Teaching relate to their service work and the dynamics of mutual transformation. Students then give presentations to their classmates and others about how this hands-on experience provides an opportunity for deeper exploration of the dynamics of faith and justice in our world.
- Digital Media Project (Religion 11: Catholic Social Teaching & Action): At the conclusion of the Grade 11 Religious Studies course, students create a digital media project in which they analyze a particular contemporary social injustice of their own choosing through the lens of their faith commitments. This project combines research, critical thinking, and creative expression, allowing students to propose meaningful action to transform the world for the better.
- Interfaith Engagement (Religion 12: World Religions): In the World Religions course, students explore the history, scriptures, beliefs and practices of Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism in a comparative study. This course includes active participation in student-led seminars, fostering independent inquiry, religious literacy, and a deeper appreciation of global religious traditions. The course also provides opportunities for students to engage in interfaith dialogue with members of diverse faith traditions to explore common commitments, misunderstandings, and tensions in our religiously diverse society and world.
- Seminar-Style Assessments (Religion 12: World Religions): Modeled after a college-level Humanities seminar, these opportunities encourage students to engage with texts and ideas in an intellectually rigorous and collaborative way. Students participate in student-led, structured discussions that enable them to demonstrate their mastery of research-based papers and presentations, honing their academic skills and the ability to engage with complex ideas in dialogue with peers.
To prepare students for thoughtful engagement with faith, ethics, and the world around them, the essential skills emphasized in the Upper School Religious Studies curriculum include:
- Critical Thinking & Analysis
- Ability to engage deeply with religious texts, traditions, and complex ideas.
- Interpreting and analyzing scripture through historical, literary, and cultural lenses.
- Capacity to evaluate contemporary social issues in light of faith-based principles and theological frameworks.
- Public Speaking & Communication
- Confidence and clarity in delivering presentations, homilies, and reflections.
- Articulation of personal faith beliefs and theological insights to a group or audience.
- Ability to craft thoughtful, persuasive arguments in both oral and written forms.
- Empathy & Interfaith Understanding
- Development of a deeper understanding of diverse religious traditions.
- Cultivation of empathy for others' beliefs, practices, and worldviews.
- Ability to engage in interfaith dialogue with respect and insight.
- Ethical Reasoning & Social Responsibility
- Application of Catholic Social Teaching to real-world challenges.
- Capacity for ethical reflection and action in response to social justice issues, inequality, and human rights.
- Ability to evaluate and propose solutions for contemporary issues through the lens of faith.
- Reflection & Personal Growth
- Self-reflection on one’s personal beliefs, values, and ethical convictions.
- Ability to integrate academic study with personal spirituality and community engagement.
- Development of a well-rounded, mature understanding of faith as it relates to personal identity and the broader world.
- Research & Inquiry
- Skills in researching religious texts, historical contexts, and current social issues.
- Ability to synthesize scholarly resources with personal insights to produce meaningful reflections or projects.
- Competency in academic writing, documentation, and argumentation.
- Collaborative Skills
- Engagement in group discussions, seminars, and service projects.
- Collaborative problem-solving, particularly in group settings and seminar-style discussions.
- Ability to work with peers in dialogue, reflection, and collective action.
- Religion 9: Jewish Scripture & Tradition
- Religion 10: Jesus in the Gospels
- Religion 11: Catholic Social Teaching & Action
- Religion 12: World Religions
Religion 9: Jewish Scripture & Tradition
Students investigate major themes of the Hebrew Scriptures and acquire skills in biblical interpretation through a close reading of the texts and the study of biblical scholarship, literary analysis, and historical research. The course offers students an introduction to critical thinking in light of a transcendent horizon. Emphasis is placed on understanding the covenant between God and the Jewish people as a covenant still in effect, a precious legacy of symbols, spirituality, ritual, and Scripture that provides a foundation to understanding the roots of the Christian tradition. Through creative projects and written assignments, students reflect on how the significant themes and movements encountered in Jewish scripture are relevant and ongoing in their lives and communities today.
Required for students in grade 9
Religion 10: Jesus in the Gospels
Intensive study of the person of Jesus as presented in the gospel narratives promotes students' understanding of the internal diversity of Christian Scripture. Students examine the specific meanings and messages of these texts in relation to their historical, social, political, and cultural contexts in light of current biblical scholarship and contemporary challenges of faith. Special attention is given to the development of a personal response to the question raised by Jesus, “Who do you say that I am?” Students cultivate a capacity to make connections between Scripture and their own lives by exploring the historical and contemporary meanings of the Reign of God and the challenges of discipleship. The course culminates in a Homily Project in which each student selects a gospel passage, engages in research and personal reflection, and delivers a Scripture-based reflection to an audience of classmates from the pulpit in our school chapel.
Required for students in grade 10
Religion 11: Catholic Social Teaching & Action
Catholic Social Teaching is the ongoing articulation of the Church’s comprehensive and dynamic understanding of Christian discipleship in light of what it means to be human and to live in community with others. In this course, students examine Scripture, church documents and practices, and philosophies of human rights and social responsibility in order to appreciate how the Catholic social tradition articulates a social vision that promotes human flourishing, full participation, justice and peace for all of humanity. Through the lens of deeply held faith convictions and beliefs, students confront and examine several of the major social challenges of our time: domestic and global inequality, human trafficking, racism and its consequences, migration and refugee crises, and the degradation of the environment. Students are trained to use the Circle of Praxis (see, analyze, reflect, act) as an inductive method for bringing the fruits of the Christian faith to bear on the transformation of complex social challenges into something that better resembles the Kingdom of God. The course is complemented by the Hesed project, which requires juniors to engage in 40 hours of community service with people in need. At the end of the course, students produce a digital media project in which they analyze and propose action on a contemporary injustice through the lens of their own deep faith commitments.
Required for students in grade 11
Religion 12: World Religions
This course introduces students to three of the world’s most significant religious traditions -- Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism -- and to the academic field of the comparative study of religions. Students gain literacy and appreciation for the diverse worldviews and experiences of people informed by the faith, practices, and teachings of these global religious traditions. By examining the history, sacred scripture and narratives, doctrines and tenets, sacred spaces and rituals, social practices and ethical teachings of these world traditions, students come to understand that religions are internally diverse and have changed over time. Understanding these traditions and how they have developed provides insight into contemporary social and cultural differences and fosters within our students the possibilities for empathy and collaboration between peoples of different faiths and cultures. This course is modeled after a college-level Humanities seminar that requires active engagement with the course texts, regular participation in class discussions, and several formal, seminar-style assessments through which students demonstrate mastery of the materials and an ability to put complex ideas and insights into conversation with others.
Required for students in grade 12