Theology

The mission of Saint Thomas Academy is to create Christian leaders. The Theology Department is an integral element in this educational process. By stressing the moral dimension of leadership, we strive to help young men be capable, just, compassionate, and forthright citizens. In assisting students in their faith formation, we seek to develop a spirituality which encourages young men to desire personal holiness as well as to become servant leaders who welcome and care for each other. It is our hope that each student will come to know the mystery of God’s abiding presence and the depth of God’s love for all. Our goal is to develop educated and informed Catholics who seek to be knowledgeable in their faith, who are willing to embrace the challenges of Christianity in the new millennium, and who are ready to work for the Church’s social mission and justice and peace. The student will:

· Demonstrate basic Biblical interpretation skills, reverence, and appreciation of Sacred Scripture.

· Understand the basic teachings of the Church as articulated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (i.e. sacraments, creed, Ten Commandments, beatitudes, virtues, precepts of the Church, etc.

· Understand their obligation to act morally and ethically as responsible Christians with well-informed and formed consciences.

· Have a basic understanding and appreciation of the history and theology of the Church, diversity of religious traditions, and of contemporary spiritual leaders.

· Understand liturgy and prayer and their movement towards service.

· Explore Christ’s invitation to discipleship and personal holiness by exploring those lifestyles compatible with the Christian vocation.

· Know the key principles of Catholic social teaching, especially principles regarding respect for life and sexual morality.

· Develop reflective, critical thinking skills; moral, creative imaging skills and prayer and dialogical skills which allow the students to research and identify, assess and evaluate, discern, judge and determine action in light of Gospel values and Church teaching.