Padua Franciscan High School
Theology Curriculum
The Theology program is at the heart of the mission of a Catholic and Franciscan school, and at Padua we take this very seriously. Theology courses are required for each of the eight semesters a student will spend at Padua –two each year, five days a week.
Students are required to perform four years of Christian Service at Padua. Through the Christian service program, all students of Padua Franciscan High School are offered the gifts of humility and poverty in spirit as they follow the example of Saint Francis in loving service to others through Jesus Christ.
Freshman Year
Christian Life
This course presents Jesus Christ as central to how we perceive ourselves –specifically, how our relationship with the Risen Lord affects our sense of identity. Our self-perception, therefore, has a great deal to do with our relationship to God and our relationship to others. Mixing history, tradition, personal experience, and the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi, this course places strong emphasis on the student’s life of prayer. Throughout the course, students uncover the significant relationships among themselves, others, and God.
Old Testament
This course introduces students to basic Bible study skills, and offers an appreciation of the value of Scripture study to the life of a practicing Christian. It explores God’s saving action as revealed in the varied literature of the Hebrew Scriptures, including the struggle of God’s chosen people to understand and live their covenant with God. Special emphasis is given to showing how the promises of the Old Testament are fulfilled in the New Testament.
Sophomore Year
New Testament
This course examines the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, and the writings of St. Paul in order to better understand Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom of God and the saving mission of his death and resurrection. Students develop a personal relationship with Jesus through their study of the four Gospels. By studying Paul’s advice to the early Christian communities, students can apply the same practical and moral ideas to their own lives.
Church History
This is a course in Christian and Catholic identity. It introduces students to the nature of the Church in its origins, and how this nature has been expressed and developed through history –through Vatican II and today. Students examine the historical contexts from which many Catholic teachings and Tradition develop so that they may better appreciate why we believe and act as we do.
JUNIOR YEAR
Christian Morality
Students in this course are challenged to forge their consciences in a critical and Christian manner. Students explore not only how it is that we can know what is objectively right and good, but also why we should want to do it. Personal integrity and virtue are presented as the foundations for Christian respect and love for all.
Catholic Identity and World Religions
This course is intended to prepare our students for the diverse religious traditions and perspectives they will encounter when they leave high school. Beginning with an explicit formation in the Catholic philosophical and sacramental worldview, including our roots in Judaism, we then address ecumenical approaches to the various non-Catholic Christian traditions. We also prepare our students to understand Islam and Eastern Religions, as well as the more modern expressions of secularism, relativism and even fundamentalism.
Senior Year
Social Justice
Students explore fundamental justice issues in our world and the church’s call for greater justice. Students relate the teachings of Jesus and the church to contemporary struggles for justice and peace. Special emphasis is placed on developing each student’s awareness of how Gospel values and Franciscan spirituality can transform our world.
Christian Lifestyles
This course is designed to prepare students to face the challenges of young adulthood, so that they are able to shape futures for themselves which are Christian, hopeful, healthy and full. Students have the opportunity to enhance their understanding and appreciation of the four lifestyle paths –single life, marriage, religious and the ordained ministry.