The document outlines a vision for transforming students into mature Christians through a comprehensive approach to Catholic theology, emphasizing the integration of knowledge, character development, and community involvement. It highlights the importance of religious education in fostering critical thinking, moral decision-making, and a sense of belonging among students, while addressing contemporary challenges such as misinformation and individualism. The text also explores the relationship between theology, spirituality, and the search for meaning, advocating for a faith that seeks understanding and promotes love within the community.
The document outlines a vision for transforming students into mature Christians through a comprehensive approach to Catholic theology, emphasizing the integration of knowledge, character development, and community involvement. It highlights the importance of religious education in fostering critical thinking, moral decision-making, and a sense of belonging among students, while addressing contemporary challenges such as misinformation and individualism. The text also explores the relationship between theology, spirituality, and the search for meaning, advocating for a faith that seeks understanding and promotes love within the community.
The document outlines a vision for transforming students into mature Christians through a comprehensive approach to Catholic theology, emphasizing the integration of knowledge, character development, and community involvement. It highlights the importance of religious education in fostering critical thinking, moral decision-making, and a sense of belonging among students, while addressing contemporary challenges such as misinformation and individualism. The text also explores the relationship between theology, spirituality, and the search for meaning, advocating for a faith that seeks understanding and promotes love within the community.
The document outlines a vision for transforming students into mature Christians through a comprehensive approach to Catholic theology, emphasizing the integration of knowledge, character development, and community involvement. It highlights the importance of religious education in fostering critical thinking, moral decision-making, and a sense of belonging among students, while addressing contemporary challenges such as misinformation and individualism. The text also explores the relationship between theology, spirituality, and the search for meaning, advocating for a faith that seeks understanding and promotes love within the community.
INITIUM FIDEI : INTRODUCTION TO Furthermore, religiously literate children and
CATHOLIC THEOLOGY young people can engage in a fully informed
critique of all knowledge, "leading, for example, VISION/MISSION to an understanding of the relationship between “To transform students to become mature science and religion or history, and between Christians/disciples through Information – theology, sport and the human body." Formation – Transformation to Share and Live Jesus in our life” It is Christo-centric, kerygmatic, and experiential in its approach, meaning it selects Information- students with the necessary and organizes the essentials of the Catholic knowledge and understanding of Catholic Faith, emphasizing the centrality of the mystery teachings, beliefs, and practices. of Christ. The scope and sequence of each course endeavors to go beyond intellectual Formation- developing students' character and assent to the truths of our Faith, and hopes to spiritual growth - sense of purpose and meaning form Christians who are committed to the in life. Person of Jesus Christ. The course recognizes the tripartite dimensions of our Catholic Faith Transformation- the process of students (Doctrine, Morals, and Worship) and presents becoming mature Christians/disciples who them interactively. actively live out their faith. It includes sharing the Gospel message with others, serving the In addition, the Religious Education curriculum community, and participating in the life of the encourages skills such as reading the Scriptures, Church. critical thinking and reflection, and moral decision-making and valuing. These skills are RELIGIOUS EDUCATION necessary for educating the Josenian students. The "core of the core curriculum" in a Catholic Classroom experience is not enough. The school(Pope St John Paul II). students have to be initiated into community involvement, liturgical celebrations, prayer, and It helps the school to fulfill its mission to other religious activities. Integrated into each educate the whole person in discerning the Religious Education subject is the Community meaning of their existence, since "Religious Extension Services Exposure Program which is Education is concerned not only with intellectual developmental and so tailored as to accompany knowledge but also includes emotional and the subject matter in the classroom with affective learning. community involvement.
It is in the mystery of the Word made flesh that LESSON 1 THEOLOGY AND THE the mystery of what it is to be human truly SEARCH FOR MEANING becomes clear. Without religious education, pupils would be deprived of an essential element The world is surrounded by skepticism and of their formation and personal development, indifferences. This has been worsened by trends which helps them attain a vital harmony between in this so-called “POST-TRUTH ERA” faith and culture." (Religious Education Curriculum Directory p4). As a response, theology presents a way to search shaping public opinion than appeals to emotions for the meaning and purpose that is grounded on and personal beliefs. In other words, it's a the certainty of God. The theological enterprise situation where truth is less important than what is an opportunity for people, especially the people want to believe. youth, to understand life, faith, and reality. Theology can provide a powerful framework for 1. Misinformation and disinformation: The students seeking meaning and purpose in their spread of false or misleading information, often lives. By grounding their search in the belief of a through social media and other digital platforms. higher power, students can find: 2. Polarization: The increasing division of society into opposing groups with strongly held A sense of direction: Theology often offers a beliefs. clear understanding of life's purpose and direction. This can be particularly helpful for The rise of the “post-truth” era is just one of the students navigating the uncertainties of higher many signs of the current brokenness pervading education and career choices. the world and the Philippines of today... the growing trend of INDIVIDUALISM and A sense of belonging: Religious communities EXCLUSIVISM that has poisoned our society. can provide a strong sense of belonging and Both individualism and exclusivism are signs of support, helping students feel connected to the trend for more privatistic tendencies that can something larger than themselves. become hindrances to an authentic search for meaning and purpose in the world. A source of hope: In times of difficulty or uncertainty, faith in a higher power can provide Interiority a sense of hope and resilience. Introspection and self-understanding will be an avenue to witness the presence of the Divine in A moral compass: Theological principles can our lives. offer guidance on ethical decisionmaking, helping students to live a meaningful and THEOLOGY as an Endeavor for ALL People fulfilling life. 1. For believers, theology acts as faith seeking understanding (Latin: Fides quaerens A framework for understanding life's intellectum). challenges: Theology can provide a way to make sense of life's challenges and suffering, “For I do not seek to understand in order to offering comfort and perspective believe; I believe in order to understand, For I also believe that ‘Unless I believe, I shall not THE CONTEXT OF OUR SEARCH understand.” The International Theological The world is immersed in the mystery of God, Commission describes theology as scientia Dei every search for meaning, truth, clarity, and (Science of Faith): Theology is therefore scientia depth today is in its way a part of the human Dei as much as it is a rational participation in the being’s quest to engage that very mystery. knowledge that God has of himself and all things. As scientia Dei, theology aims to The post-truth era is a term that has gained understand in arational and systematic manner prominence in recent years to describe a time the saving truth of God. when objective facts are less influential in 2. For nonbelievers, theology is a form of The Three Principles of Augustinian appreciation of the capacity of human beings to Spirituality: acquire faith. It is by no means a form of 1. Veritas (Truth) indoctrination, and in no way is it an attempt to 2. Unitas (Unity) convert people to Christianity or Catholicism. 3. Caritas (Love)
YOUTH as Essential Audience of Theology Veritas (Truth)
Direction, commitment, call — these are all Within Augustinian spirituality, one important within the vision of the Christian faith. aspiration is the understanding of the truth of oneself, and in that, the truth of God: “O God, As Saint Augustine explained: “The first step in let me know myself, so I may know you.” the search for truth is humility. Theology is a quest of humble understanding. Unitas (Unity) There must be openness and willingness for Conclusion collaboration amongst members of the Faith-seeking understanding includes three community, as well as with those engaged by the topics (Theology and The Search for Meaning, community (Augustinian community).” A Conversation between Spirituality and Theology and The Sources of the Faith). This Caritas (Love) provides an introduction to the human quest for For Augustine, love is the why and how of our meaning and purpose in light of God’s grace and knowledge. “Use knowledge as a kind of our faith. It consists in an effort in an effort at scaffolding to help build the structure of love sustained, directed and personal thinking out of and understanding, which will last forever even Christian Spirituality to foster the ongoing after knowledge destroys itself. Knowledge is growth of students toward full maturity in the useful when it is used to promote love. But it faith, as active members of the Catholic Church, becomes useless, even harmful in itself, if able to respond as true disciples of Christ to the separated from such an end.” urgent challenges of Filipino life today. Conclusion LESSON 2 A CONVERSATION BETWEEN Let us end with a reminder: “to be spiritual you SPIRITUALITY AND THEOLOGY need the roots of religious tradition and community, while to be religious in a Christian Christian Spirituality is the LIVED way you need the wings of committed spiritual EXPERIENCE of Christian Faith. practices.
Spirituality is “the experience of conscious
involvement in the project of life integration through self-transcendence toward the ultimate value one perceives.” - Sandra M. Schneiders
