Course Catalog

This course covers the core beliefs, practices, and attitudes of Catholicism. The students are given the opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation for how God reveals Himself to humanity and how we can come to know God and His divine plan through reason and Revelation. Special emphasis is placed on the Catholic Tradition and Catholic practices that students will be present to throughout their four years at Preston.

Every religion in the world has service as a key component of its mission. For many, helping others is a natural extension of her lifestyle. No “requirement” is necessary. For others, especially those who are unfamiliar with this component, or who have not participated in a formal religious education program, this requirement allows the student the opportunity to apply her learning in a concrete and practical way. Therefore, to have a religious education program without a service component would be an injustice to learning, since learning, by its definition, requires application.

Preston Freshmen are required to perform 20 hours of service at home or within the family, including grandparents and extended family members.

Students who never completed their Sacraments of Initiation have the opportunity to be Confirmed in the Catholic Tradition at Preston High School.   (Students have also been baptized and received First Eucharist at Preston!)  Students in this program meet during the school day once a cycle for lessons and service projects.  The program culminates at the schoolwide Easter Liturgy, when a Bishop confirms our students, surrounded by their families and the school community.
 

From the Creation of humanity, and its separation from God in the Fall, students will trace the development of humanity's relationship with God throughout the four Old Testament covenants, exile and prophecies. These will provide the foundation to best appreciate the Son of God, Jesus Christ - and all that His Paschal Mystery did to repair humanity's relationship with God in the New Covenant.

Every religion in the world has service as a key component of its mission. For many, helping others is a natural extension of her lifestyle. No “requirement” is necessary. For others, especially those who are unfamiliar with this component, or who have not participated in a formal religious education program, this requirement allows the student the opportunity to apply her learning in a concrete and practical way. Therefore, to have a religious education program without a service component would be an injustice to learning, since learning, by its definition, requires application.

Preston Sophomores are required to perform 20 hours of service at school. This can be at Preston, their former grammar school, another school or their parish.

This course seeks to help each student become more aware of the moral choices they face on a daily basis and to develop clarity in their decision-making process. Each student is encouraged to recognize God's work in her life, and live out this life of service and love. The students' understanding of the principles of Catholic Social Teaching will help to inform their understanding of Christian Morality.

Every religion in the world has service as a key component of its mission. For many, helping others is a natural extension of her lifestyle. No “requirement” is necessary. For others, especially those who are unfamiliar with this component, or who have not participated in a formal religious education program, this requirement allows the student the opportunity to apply her learning in a concrete and practical way. Therefore, to have a religious education program without a service component would be an injustice to learning, since learning, by its definition, requires application.

Preston Juniors are required to perform 40 hours of Christian Service in the outside community.  This may be done at day care centers, schools, CCD programs, medical sites, and community centers. Service at this level asks for the student to step out of her comfort zone at home in school, to serve the greater community.

This course studies the great religions of the world (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.) with the intention of exploring how to be authentically rooted in one's faith tradition while also being open to the wisdom of the religious other. It is hoped that in this class, students can deepen their realization that developing different religious perspectives can enrich one's own faith life.

This course challenges students to develop a better understanding of how modern psychological theory can inform and enrich their appreciation and understanding of religious experience, doctrine, belief, and ritual. This course aims to suggest how both psychological theory and a basic religious perspective, whatever the particular faith tradition, can provide new understanding into the nature of human suffering and development.

This a college level course offered at Preston High School through the St. John’s University College Advantage Program.  This 3 credit course is an introduction to Christianity that highlights Scripture, creedal belief statements, rites & practices, theological writings, artistic expressions and other discourses that manifest the Christian faith in its various traditions throughout its two thousand year development.