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Philosophy	Department Chair-Frank Sweeney
The purpose of the program is to promote an awareness and understanding of the Christian message in a contemporary society. There is a special emphasis on the elements of Catholic heritage and life in the Church.
Course Descriptions
Religion 1: Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures Students will gain a familiarity with the Bible itself and learn about the fundamental beliefs and practices of Biblical Judaism. Salvation History is tracked from creation and the fall, through the triumphs and the struggles of the Jewish people, to the birth of Christ. Students are guided to a deeper understanding of the themes of the Hebrew Scriptures and are shown how those themes relate to their lives. Religion 2: Introduction to the Christian Testament and the Sacraments of Initiation Concentration on Christian identity as revealed in scripture and translated for the adolescent. Paramount is answering the question: Who is Jesus and how do I follow Him? Through a study of the gospels and other parts of the New Testament, students learn the essential teachings of Jesus, the elements of Christian living, and the role of prayer and worship in our tradition. The sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, and Reconciliation are study in the context of history and the life of the student. Religion 3: Christian Morality This course is a thorough analysis of Catholic-Christian morality with an emphasis on personal decision making, social justice and the sacraments of Vocation. Religion 4: Living and Dying; World Religions Students are required, by the Diocese of Bridgeport, to pass a national religion assessment before graduating from Notre Dame. Living and Dying: The course is a study of two areas: Our study of life and death takes on two perspectives. First, with the universal experience of loss, suffering and death. Secondly, it deals with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and its impact on the lives of believers. The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is also studied. World Religions: The students are introduced to the worldview of many different religions. From the familiar to those that may seem very different from their own. The hope is that they will expand their own worldview gaining a better understanding of the diverse cultures of the world.

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