Embedded Files
We won't cover all of these topics in one year. But by the time your son has graduated 8th grade, most or all of these topics will have been taught.
Who am I?
Why am I here?
What is the purpose of my life?
What does it mean to be human?
These very questions are pivotal to our identity and how we understand both who we are and our dignity and worth. We will learn about our origin, destiny, and the dignity of our humanity, so we can form an identity based on the foundation of truth and discover who God created us to be!
Is there an afterlife?
What is our ultimate goal?
What happens when we die?
How can I know if my loved one is in heaven?
The four final things of human existence are death, judgment, heaven, and hell. We will learn about each one of these aspects and how the sacraments aid us in our daily lives. God has a specific goal for our lives that will help us achieve holiness and, by His grace, cross the finish line into heaven!
What is masculinity?
What is brotherhood?
How do I make meaningful friendships?
How do I become the man God created me to be?
Our friendships can influence the person we will become. Throughout the year, we will develop a Christ-centered brotherhood by praying with and for each other. With our peers, we will deepen our understanding of who God is calling us to be. "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17
Who is God?
Can we even know if God is real?
What proof is there that God exists?
What does this mean for my life?
The question about the existence of God is one that can change the course of a person's life. We will address questions about God and learn St. Thomas Aquinas' five proofs of God's existence. With this knowledge and through faith, everyone has the capacity to know God and develop a relationship with Him, the artist of our life!
Is the devil real?
Why does God allow evil?
What is the spiritual realm?
How do we fight against the devil?
The devil is real and prowls about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Everything we experience in our physical world is directly connected to the wrestling match being waged in the spiritual world. We will address spiritual warfare and learn about the enemy's strategy, offensive and defensive weapons, and our ultimate battle plan to thwart attacks from the Evil One!
Who was Pier Giorgio Frassati?
What does "Verso L'alto" mean?
Why is Frassati a saint?
How is Frassati relevant to my life?
One hundred years ago, Pier Giorgio Frassati lived an ordinary life with extraordinary faith. As an avid mountain climber, the phrase "verso l'alto" was his motto (meaning "to the heights"). We will explore Frassati's spirituality and his path to holiness as a model for us as we journey to the heights!
Why is Mary considered our mother?
How can Mary help young men master masculinity?
How many titles does Mary have?
Who has Mary appeared to throughout history?
"Behold your Mother" are words spoken by Jesus from the cross. He gave Mary as a mother to all of us, and she wants to intercede for you! We will explore her countless titles and many apparitions throughout history to Juan Diego, the shepherd children in Fatima, and Bernadette Soubirous. We will consider how she transcends all time and cultures by being a perfect advocate for all her children. Let us all behold our Mother!
What are the 7 virtues and vices?
How can I live a life forged in virtue?
How do daily choices shape my future?
Why are sinful habits so hard to break?
To live a virtuous life is essential to get to heaven. Yet our world is filled with sin and vice. Knowledge about the virtues is just part of the battle. Living them out is the challenge. We will explore each virtue and vice and how habits can be broken or formed using the plasticity of our brain. Ultimately, we will learn how to train our souls to be forged in virtue.
What lessons can sports teach us?
How is sports' discipline related to my faith?
Can sports actually lead us to God?
Does God care about the outcome of a game?
Sports are part of the human experience, and are loved by many throughout all time and cultures. Sports teach us that winning is not about playing by our own rules. It's about playing by the rules in our own irreplaceably unique way out of deep love for the goodness of the game. Those who master and exemplify this lesson on the field are called All Stars. Those who master and exemplify it off the field? Saints!
What are George Washington's Rules of Civility?
How did these rules influence his character?
Why should all men learn common etiquette?
How is his code still relevant today?
When George Washington was 14 years old, he copied down 110 rules of civility. These rules were taught in classrooms to promote common courtesy and decency in behavior. Learning this code was a formative influence in the development of his character. We will explore Washington's timeless code of honor and consider how it can be applied in our lives today.
What is prayer?
Does prayer actually bring about what I want?
How can I pray spontaneously?
How can I become a prayer warrior for others?
Prayer is a longing for God. It is the desire of our soul to experience the Divine and enter into a relationship with Him. We will learn how to improve our prayer life and how silence is a crucial element of communing with God. We will explore the ways God may respond to our prayers and hear true stories of the power of prayer in others' lives. Ultimately, we will pray together in groups spontaneously for the needs of our fellow brothers.
How did the universe come into existence?
How big is the universe?
How many planets exist in the universe?
What does the vastness of space reveal about God?
The universe is so vast and grand and mysterious. To consider the size of it leaves us in awe and wonder. Romans 1:20 says, "Since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities have been clearly seen." The cycle of the seasons reveal God's fidelity. The precise movement of the planets reveal God's wisdom. Storms and earthquakes reveal God's Divine power. All of creation and its detailed intricacy invites us to examine the greatness of our God.
What is mental health?
How can I overcome fear?
How can I live my best life?
What should I do if I need help?
Our mind is a powerful force to be reckoned with. It can lead us to extraordinary success or spiral downwards toward addiction and death. We will discuss mental health topics pertinent to middle schoolers, such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, fear, and shame. We will learn strategies to overcome these obstacles and how to find healing through Jesus, the divine physician, who is always ready to untangle the knots in our wrestling minds.
What is salvation history?
How should I read the Bible?
How many covenants did God make?
Where do I fit into the greatest story ever told?
Salvation history is the plot of the bible; it is the ultimate story of God's plan to save humanity from sin. God has cherished his best creation, us, since the beginning of time. The story is not yet over. You and I are actively taking part in God's saving plan in our own lives. We will learn the big picture of salvation history and discover the greatest story ever told!
Are ghosts real?
Is there a multiverse?
Is bilocation possible?
Is there life on other planets?
Can Baby Yoda be baptized?
Are there dinosaurs in heaven?
These and more weird questions about the strange, unusual, and the supernatural will be discussed and explored in view of the Catholic faith.
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