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Theology

The theology department is committed to Catholic education and formation in the Xaverian Brothers tradition. Through a rigorous academic curriculum and a classroom experience shaped by prayer, reflection, discussion, fellowship, and support, students of all religious traditions and backgrounds are encouraged to develop an increasingly mature sense of faith. 
Our courses trace the story of Catholic faith in scripture, tradition, faith, and reason. In keeping with the vision of our founder, Theodore Ryken, our aim is to be inclusive of all students as we seek to transform both mind and heart. Students learn to discern God’s gracious presence in the “common, ordinary, unspectacular flow of everyday life” by connecting their academic study with their experiences of God, self, and others. Our graduates are young men who understand that the journey of learning, faith, and service leads toward ever deeper communion with God and others.
 

  • Theology 7

    THEOLOGY 7
    Grade 7
    #FX171

    This course introduces students to the Xaverian tradition and the fundamentals of Catholic faith, while also emphasizing growth in the skills of reading, writing, and conversation.  Beginning with the story of St. Francis Xavier, we will journey through the history of the Xaverian mission, discovering how that story intersects with our own lives in this school and faith community.  Continuing through the lens of personal and communal experience, students will explore the fundamentals of Catholic faith, including revelation and faith, scripture, vocation, sin and grace, the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), prayer, and the Church (community, liturgy, and sacraments).

  • Theology 8

    THEOLOGY 8
    Grade 8
    FX181

    Building upon the foundation of Grade 7 Theology, we will explore how Catholic faith is not just known but also lived in communion with God and others. We will begin with Christ as our model, and discuss the Church and the Communion of Saints. As our studies progress, we will encounter the example of several traditional and contemporary saints, while also challenging ourselves to discover what good we can do in the world.  Additional Topics covered will include Church, Liturgy, virtues, spiritual and corporal works of mercy, social justice, and forming healthy relationships.  This course will also continue to help students strengthen their skills in reading, writing, and conversation.

  • Theology 8 Advanced

    THEOLOGY 8 ADVANCED
    Grade 8
    FX182

    Building upon the foundation of Grade 7 Theology, we will explore how Catholic faith is not just known but also lived in communion with God and others. We will begin with Christ as our model, and discuss the Church and the Communion of Saints. As our studies progress, we will encounter the example of several traditional and contemporary saints, while also challenging ourselves to discover what good we can do in the world.  Additional Topics covered will include Church, Liturgy, virtues, spiritual and corporal works of mercy, social justice, and forming healthy relationships. The advanced sections will include a deeper consideration of the same specific topics covered in all other sections of Grade 8 Theology. Reading and writing assignments will challenge students to develop analytical thinking and writing skills. The advanced Theology student will be highly motivated both inside and outside of the classroom, and will need to maintain an established level of success in order to enter grade 9 Honors.

  • Theology I-H

    THEOLOGY I - INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTURE 
    Grade 9
    #111 Honors
    Full Year

    Prerequisites:     Placement is based on entrance examination scores and middle school/junior high school grades.
     
    Description: This course introduces students to scripture as the foundation for Catholic Christianity.  Students are challenged to see how their own stories reflect and respond to the biblical narratives.  Students will study how the Bible developed and will explore creation stories, the covenant between God and Israel, and Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the covenant.  The Honors course includes the reading of novels with scriptural themes and more work on a symbolic understanding of scripture.

  • Theology I-A

    THEOLOGY I - INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTURE 
    Grade 9
    #112 Accelerated

    Prerequisites:     Placement is based on entrance examination scores and middle school/junior high school grades.

    Description    :  This course introduces students to scripture as the foundation for Catholic Christianity.  Students are challenged to see how their own stories reflect and respond to the biblical narratives.  Students will study how the Bible developed and will explore creation stories, the covenant between God and Israel, and Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the covenant.

  • Theology II-H

    THEOLOGY II - CATHOLIC CHRISTIANITY
    Grade 10
    #121 Honors
    Full Year

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of Theology I-H or final average of A or higher in Theology I-A and departmental approval.

    Description: This course focuses on the story of the Church, from Pentecost to modern times.  Key periods and councils of Church history are explored as examples of how the Church struggled to discern what it means to be faithful disciples of Jesus and to be the People of God.  Foundational topics such as liturgy and prayer, sin and salvation, doctrines, creed and sacraments are explored as responses to the lived experience of the Church as it developed and continues to seek God's will in the world.  Course resources and assessments help students engage those same questions in their own lives.
    The honors course includes in-depth study of the theological principles that shaped the development of the church. In addition to the textbook, honors students will consult church documents, biblical and theological commentaries and selected resources to understand and respond to important developments in the life of the Church. Reading and writing assignments will challenge students to develop analytical thinking and writing skills.

  • Theology II-A

    THEOLOGY II - CATHOLIC CHRISTIANITY
    Grade 10
    #122 Accelerated
    Full Year

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of Theology I.
      
    Description: This course focuses on the story of the Church, from Pentecost to modern times.  Key periods and councils of Church history are explored as examples of how the Church struggled to discern what it means to be faithful disciples of Jesus and to be the People of God.  Foundational topics such as liturgy and prayer, sin and salvation, doctrines, creed and sacraments are explored as responses to the lived experience of the Church as it developed and continues to seek God's will in the world.  Course resources and assessments help students engage those same questions in their own lives.

  • Theology III-H

    THEOLOGY III - UNDERSTANDING CATHOLIC PERSONAL AND SOCIAL MORALTY
    Grade 11
    #131 Honors
    Full year

    Prerequisites:     Successful completion of Theology II-H or final average of A or higher in Theology II-A and departmental approval.

    Description: This course examines morality from a Catholic Christian perspective, in both its personal and social dimensions. Students will study a solid foundation for making moral decisions in light of gospel values, church teachings, and contemporary understandings of human nature, legitimate authority and conscience. Particular topics of personal morality include virtues, the nature of sin, human relationships, sexual expression, and a moral decision making process. The social morality component explores issues of medical ethics at the beginning of life (abortion and genetic manipulation, for example) as well as at the end of life (suicide, euthanasia, and capital punishment). Careful attention is paid to concepts of justice in the use of money and technology, as well as war and peace issues. While this course is based on abstract principles, teachers use a case study approach to help students see the practical application of the course content.
    The honors sections will include in-depth study of abstract moral and theological principles while exploring the same specific topics as the accelerated sections. In addition to the textbook, honors students will consult church documents, biblical and theological commentaries and selected resources to understand and respond to church teachings. Reading and writing assignments will challenge students to develop analytical thinking and writing skills.

  • Theology III-A

    THEOLOGY III - UNDERSTANDING CATHOLIC PERSONAL AND SOCIAL MORALITY
    Grade 11
    #132 Accelerated
    Full Year

    Prerequisites    : Successful completion of Theology II.

    Description: This course examines morality from a Catholic Christian perspective, in both its personal and social dimensions. Students will study a solid foundation for making moral decisions in light of gospel values, church teachings, and contemporary understandings of human nature, legitimate authority and conscience. Particular topics of personal morality include virtues, the nature of sin, human relationships, sexual expression, and a moral decision making process. The social morality component explores issues of medical ethics at the beginning of life (abortion and genetic manipulation, for example) as well as at the end of life (suicide, euthanasia, and capital punishment). Careful attention is paid to concepts of justice in the use of money and technology, as well as war and peace issues. While this course is based on abstract principles, teachers use a case study approach to help students see the practical application of the course content.

  • Theology IV-H

    THEOLOGY IV - FAITH AND REASON
    Grade 12
    #141 Honors
    Full Year

    Prerequisites:     Successful completion of Theology III-H or final average of A or higher in Theology III-A and departmental approval.

    Description:     Theology IV is designed to be the culmination of a Xaverian education in theological studies. This course is primarily concerned with the timeless important theological questions: Does God exist?  How do we know God?  What is the nature of God?  Beginning with an examination of faith and reason, this course considers our sources of knowledge and the process of forming and validating beliefs and opinions. Philosophical and scientific evidence for the existence of God will be presented and evaluated, as will the nature and content of revelation.  Catholic theology is the starting point, but this course is intended to be cross-cultural; these questions will be discussed from the perspectives of other major religious traditions (Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism). This approach is taken to help students strengthen their own faith lives while helping them to appreciate the diversity that exists in our global faith community.
    The honors course builds on the critical thinking and writing skills acquired in Theology III Honors. Students will read selections from primary texts as well as undergraduate level theological sources. A rudimentary knowledge of physics and biology is required for the unit on the relationships between science and theology.

  • Theology IV-A

    THEOLOGY IV - FAITH AND REASON
    Grade 12
    #142 Accelerated
    Full Year

    Prerequisites:     Successful Completion of Theology III.

    Description:  Theology IV is designed to be the culmination of a Xaverian education in theological studies. This course is primarily concerned with the timeless theological questions: Does God exist? How do we know God?  What is the nature of God?  Beginning with an examination of faith and reason, this course considers our sources of knowledge and the process of forming and validating beliefs and opinions. Philosophical and scientific evidence for the existence of God will be presented and evaluated, as will the nature and content of revelation. Catholic theology is the starting point, but these questions will also be discussed from the perspectives of other major religious traditions (Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism). This approach is taken to help students strengthen their own faith lives while helping them to appreciate the diversity that exists in our global faith community.

  • Theology I-CP

    THEOLOGY I - INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTURE 
    Grade 9
    # 113 College Prep
    Full Year
    Prerequisites: Placement is based on entrance examination scores and middle school/junior high school grades.
    Description: This course introduces students to scripture as the foundation for Catholic Christianity. Students are challenged to see how their own stories reflect and respond to the biblical narratives. Students will study how the Bible developed and will explore creation stories, the covenant between God and Israel, and Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the covenant.

  • Theology II-CP

    THEOLOGY II - CATHOLIC CHRISTIANITY
    Grade 10
    # 123 College Prep
    Full Year
    Prerequisites: Successful completion of Theology I-CP. 
    Description: This course focuses on the story of the Church, from Pentecost to modern times.  Key periods and councils of Church history are explored as examples of how the Church struggled to discern what it means to be faithful disciples of Jesus and to be the People of God.  Foundational topics such as liturgy and prayer, sin and salvation, doctrines, creed and sacraments are explored as responses to the lived experience of the Church as it developed and continues to seek God's will in the world. Course resources and assessments help students engage those same questions in their own lives at a skill-appropriate level.

Faculty

  • Photo of Lauren Bjork
    Lauren Bjork
    Mount St. Mary's University - B.A.
    Anna Maria College - M.A.
    2015
    Bio
  • Photo of James Conley
    James Conley
    Director of Campus Ministry
    Providence College - M.A.
    Providence College - B.A.
    1994
    Bio
  • Photo of Robert Gill
    Robert Gill
    Quinnipiac University - B.S.
    St. John's Seminary - M.A.
    2002
    Bio
  • Photo of Catherine Goldberg
    Catherine Goldberg
    Providence College - B.A.S.
    Providence College - M.Ed.
    2022
    Bio
  • Photo of Matthew Greeley
    Matthew Greeley '15
    Boston College - B.A.
    University of Notre Dame - M.A.
    2022
    Bio
  • Photo of Christopher Gruslin
    Christopher Gruslin
    University of Notre Dame - M.Div.
    University of Notre Dame - B.A.
    Boston College - M.Ed.
    2018
    Bio
  • Photo of Brianna Larnard
    Brianna Larnard
    Teacher
    College of the Holy Cross - B.A.
    2023
  • Photo of David Palmieri
    David Palmieri
    Colby College - B.A.
    Harvard Divinity School - M.T.S.
    Boston College - M.Ed.
    1999
    Bio
  • Photo of Joseph Sotelo
    Joseph Sotelo
    Arizona State - B.A.
    Boston College - M.Ed.
    Boston College - M.A.
    2009
    Bio
  • Photo of Joseph Webb
    Joseph Webb
    Fordham University - B.A.
    Northeastern University - M.Ed.
    2016
    Bio
  • Photo of Peter Welch
    Peter Welch
    Villanova University - M.A.
    Fordham University - B.A.
    2022
    Bio

Xaverian Brothers High School

800 Clapboardtree Street
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Phone: 781-326-6392
Fax: 781-320-0458
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Xaverian is a Catholic, college-preparatory school for boys in grades 7-12. As an inclusive community, we embrace diverse experiences and perspectives, welcoming students and families from all faiths and backgrounds. Through exceptional academics, athletics, the arts, faith formation, and service opportunities, we help young men discover their unique gifts and talents so they can share them with a world in need.