FACULTY
Thomas J. Perna
Theology Chairperson, Theology I, Theology II, Theology III
Contact: tperna@saviochs.org
Fr. Daniel Liu
Campus Minister, Theology IV
Contact: frdaniel@saviochs.org
Mr. Casey Truelove
Theology I, Theology II, Theology III
Contact: ctruelove@saviochs.org
Mission
The Theology Department seeks to catechize our students with the official teachings of our Catholic faith in the hope that they would be inspired and better equipped to answer God’s call to be servant-leaders in the image of Christ who evangelize the world today.
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COURSES
The Theology Department at St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School follows the Diocese of Austin in accordance with the United States Conference for Catholic Bishops High School Curriculum. The curriculum is Christocentric in nature, which means each of the courses has a specific focus on Jesus Christ and is composed of a four-year, eight semester catechetical development where each course builds on the foundation of the previous course. Each course will help the maturation of the students in the Catholic faith through unique conversations and experiences.
TH 101 | Theology I (1.0 credit)
Semester 1: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ in Scripture” (Old Testament)
This course will provide students a general knowledge and appreciation of Sacred Scripture. Through the study of the Bible, students will come to encounter the living Word of God, Jesus Christ. Students will learn about the Bible, authored by God through Inspiration, and its value to people throughout the world. Students will learn how to read the Bible and will become familiar with the major sections of the Bible and the books included in each.
Semester 2: “Who is Jesus Christ?” (New Testament)
This course will introduce students to the mystery of Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. Through this course, students will understand that Jesus Christ is the fullness of revelation to us from God. In learning about who Jesus is, the students will also learn who He calls them to be. Particular attention to the Gospels will be given, so that students may grow to know and love Jesus Christ more personally.
TH 201 | Theology II (1.0 credit)
Semester 1: “The Mission of Jesus Christ The Paschal Mystery” (Christology)
This course will help students understand all that God has done for us through his Son, Jesus Christ. Students will learn that for all eternity, God has planned for us to share eternal happiness with Him, and that this is brought about through the act of redemption. Students will learn further that they share in this redemption only in and through Jesus Christ. Finally, they will be introduced to what it means to be a disciple.
Semester 2: “Jesus Christ’s Mission Continues in the Church” (Ecclesiology)
This course will help students understand that in and through the Church they encounter the living Jesus Christ. They will be introduced to the fact that the Church was founded by Christ through the Apostles and is sustained by him through the Holy Spirit. The students will come to know that the Church is the living Body of Christ today. This Body has both divine and human elements. In this course, students will learn not so much about events in the life of the Church but about the sacred nature of the Church.
Note: The 2011-2012 school year will be the second year in the process of implementing the new Diocesan Theology curriculum. During the 2010-2011 school year, Catholic Morality was offered to both the sophomores and juniors. In the new curriculum, it is offered in the junior year along with the Sacraments. Therefore, for the 2011-2012 school year, the course on Christology and Ecclesiology will be taught to both sophomores and juniors.
TH 301 | Theology III (1.0 credit)
Semester 1: “The Mission of Jesus Christ The Paschal Mystery” (Christology)
This course will help students understand all that God has done for us through his Son, Jesus Christ. Students will learn that for all eternity, God has planned for us to share eternal happiness with Him, and that this is brought about through the act of redemption. Students will learn further that they share in this redemption only in and through Jesus Christ. Finally, they will be introduced to what it means to be a disciple.
Semester 2: “Jesus Christ’s Mission Continues in the Church” (Ecclesiology)
This course will help students understand that in and through the Church they encounter the living Jesus Christ. They will be introduced to the fact that the Church was founded by Christ through the Apostles and is sustained by him through the Holy Spirit. The students will come to know that the Church is the living Body of Christ today. This Body has both divine and human elements. In this course, students will learn not so much about events in the life of the Church but about the sacred nature of the Church.
TH 401 | Theology IV (1.0 credit)
Semester 1: “The Old Testament reveals Jesus Christ” (Scripture)
This course will offer high school students a comprehensive overview of the major themes, lessons, and people of the Old Testament. It covers the story of salvation from many perspectives including both the Catholic understanding of the scripture and how the original hearers of God’s Word understood its meaning. The courses shows Jesus Christ prefigured in the Old Testament, especially as Messiah and Savior, and chronicles the role of the Church in interpretation of scripture. It represents the Church as foreshadowed from the beginning of creation and prepared for in a remarkable way through the history of the people of Israel and by means of the Old Covenant.
Semester 2: “Responding to the Call of Jesus” (Vocations)
This course will help students understand the vocation of life: how Jesus Christ calls us to live. In this course, students are taught how all vocations are similar and how they differ. The course is structured around married life, single life, priestly life, and consecrated life. Students will learn what it means to life for the benefit of others and the value in considering a vocation in service to the Christian community.
Note: The first semester senior course will cover mainly how the Old Testament reveals Jesus Christ; however, the course will cover Christology and Ecclesiology as well so the seniors receive elements of the new curriculum framework.
Additional Information
