The Theology Department is a central and integral part of St. Francis High School. We believe that people encounter God in their everyday activities; it is our goal as religious educators to promote the awareness of God’s presence and encourage the interaction of God’s grace and our free response. We are committed to help the students recognize the ongoing power of the Holy Spirit, the “God who is truly with us,” in their personal development, decision making, worship, scripture, social involvement and the sacramental life of the church. In our ministry, to teach as Jesus taught, we are servants of our brothers and sisters and we call them forth to imitate their heavenly Father and His universal love. The Theology Department prepares the students to go forth as living examples of service, community building and faith.

Theology Course Sequence
For more information about Theology course offerings, visit the Course Catalog.

• Freshman Courses: Hebrew Scriptures, Prayer
• Sophomore Courses: Christian Identity, The Gospels: Portraits of Jesus
• Junior Courses: Religious Philosophy, Church History
• Senior Courses: Ethics, World Religions

Facts about the Theology Program

• Theology students are involved in Community Service.
• There is an ecumenical spirit in our Catholic school which serves those of different Christian denominations, the Jewish, the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Islamic faiths and the Orthodox traditions.

The eight semesters of theology

• Present the core beliefs and practices of Roman Catholicism
• Foster an appreciation of:
  • Spirituality, especially prayer and worship
  • Ethical behavior
  • Christian Service
  • Reverence for the mystery of life
  • Respect for people and religions

To assist our students to recognize and articulate their experiences of God life, self and others we engage in

• Lectures and discussions
• Reading and writing assignments
• Projects, presentations and debates
• Reflection papers
• Journal writing
• Prayer experience
• Service projects

Department Chair
Rick Norman
916.452.3461, ext. 184
RNorman@stfrancishs.org

Chaplain
Fr. Edward Pepka
916.452.3461, ext. 267
EPepka@stfrancishs.org