“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you.” – Matthew 28:19-20
Spirituality at TMP-Marian is based on our School Mission & Vision Statements
Thomas More Prep-Marian, a Christian community in the Catholic tradition, challenges its students to spiritual growth, academic excellence, and leadership formation.
Find God in the friendships and relationships with each other.
Catholic Tradition & Identity
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND THEOLOGY
At TMP-Marian the religion department has two goals. The first is similar to what the rest of the TMP curriculum seeks to accomplish. The Religion program strives to prepare a student for further religious studies, if such classes are desired and available in college. The second goal is that if a student does not go on for further schooling after TMP, is that our Religion Program would prepare students to be active parishioners, and give them the needed skills and knowledge to pass the Catholic faith on to their children, and ultimately reach faith’s goal: Eternal Salvation.
Opportunities for Prayer
Throughout the year, in addition to daily prayer at the beginning of each class, there are opportunities for student to encounter God through prayer. Students are required to attend weekly Mass and Religion classes, and attend Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction on the first Friday of each month. Some class time in the past has been devoted to: praying the Rosary, silent reflection and meditation on Sacred Scripture, and Stations of the Cross. Reconciliation services are also planned during the Advent and Lenten Seasons so the students may receive the grace of the Sacrament of Penance.
RESOURCES
Bible in a Year Podcast: The Bible in a Year Archives - Ascension Press Media
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Podcast: The Catechism in a Year | Sign Up
Formed.org (Free through local parish): FORMED | On-Demand Catholic Movies, Audio Books, Podcasts & More
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The Vatican: The Holy See
Spiritual Growth
STEWARDSHIP HOURS AND APOSTOLIC ACTIVITY
Stewardship is the aim of the Christian Leader and as Catholics we are compelled to incorporate the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy (WOM) into our everyday lives. Under the direction of the Campus Minister, Spiritual Chaplains, JH Communities and HS Houses, and Student Leaders, all students will engage in stewardship activities serving family, school, parish, or community at large, and can be done individually, in small groups (2-6), or large groups (House/Community, CYO, etc.). Students must report their WOM and service activities during House and/or Community period and submit them to the Campus Minister and student stewardship leaders for review with the final report due by Easter Thursday.
Expectations per grade level:
JH - 10 separate WOM or WOM totaling 10 hours
9th - 11th - 20 separate WOM or WOM totaling 20 hours
12th - Capstone completion
Mission trips immerse students into the Catholic service of neighbor. For this reason, approved mission trips can count for the entire Stewardship Hours requirement in the year undertaken (June 1 to May 31).
Approved Missions:
CYO Missions - Domestic Missions, NCYC, One Bread One Cup
Samaritan House in Denver
Prayer in Action
Family Mission Company international and domestic missions
WOM may be completed beginning the first day of summer vacation preceding the current school year. The goal is for stewardship and service to become who we are and how we live on a daily basis. These accomplishments will be noted on the students’ transcripts and demonstrate that the student is entitled to graduate.
Academic Excellence Through Our Religious Curriculum
PHILOSOPHY
The purpose of the Religion Curriculum at TMP is to equip Catholics of the next generation to understand and apply the teachings of Jesus Christ. The educational intent is to prepare our students; to be active parishioners, future parents skilled and knowledgeable to hand on the Catholic Faith to their children, students of higher education with perquisite skills to pursue additional Religious studies, and/or young men and women supported in the vocational choice of Religious Life or the Priesthood. Ultimately the goal of the Religion curriculum fulfilled is for each student to achieve faith’s goal: Eternal Salvation.
6th Grade - Students are shown the unity within God’s plan of salvation. They see how the persons and events of the Old Testament are fulfilled in the New Testament in the Person of Jesus Christ. Students are given the whole story.
7th Grade - Considers the shape of life in Christ through the lens of Jesus’ call: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mk 8:34). Starts with a foundation in the Gospel of Mark. Considers topics related to Christian morality and the human desire for happiness. Considers Christian anthropology and learning through discipleship.
8th Grade - Church History: considering those who have boldly responded to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, focuses on heroic virtue and character formations, starts with key passages from the Acts of the Apostles and the empowering gift of the Holy Spirit first poured out on the Church at Pentecost, excerpts from the writings and teachings of the saints and Doctors of the Church .
Freshmen 1st Semester - Christian Morality - This course introduces students to Christian anthropology, which entails man’s nature as one created in the image and likeness of God, human freedom, and living a life of moral excellence by striving for virtue. Consideration is made of the principles of morality along with practical application to the students daily lives. Emphasis is given to man’s supernatural vocation, which entails the call to holiness and eternal beatitude. Growth in self-knowledge and spiritual awareness are integral to the study of Christian anthropology. These elements of the spiritual life help the student to live in imitation of Christ. During this course, special emphasis is given to the Theology of the Body because of its close connection with the content of the course.
Freshmen 2nd Semester - Prayer, Liturgy, and Sacraments - This course examines the importance of personal and liturgical prayer as a necessary means to grow in holiness and in the life of Christ. The study of the Liturgy presents the principle elements of worship including the Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, and the Sacraments, which are celebrated throughout the Liturgical Year. Emphasis is placed on the development of the spiritual life for each student which entails living the life of virtue, establishing a consistent prayer life, living the Sacramental life according to the Church, and developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Sophomore 1st Semester - Old Testament - This course considers God's revelation and His saving works throughout history. It provides a survey of the major people, events, and books of Old Testament. Particular emphasis is placed on God’s relationship with man through the covenants and Old Testament typology, which is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. By praying with Scripture, students are encouraged to discover their role in God’s plan of salvation so that they might strive to live in accord with it.
Sophomore 2nd Semester - New Testament - This course shows how the New Testament fulfills the Old Testament in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the fullness of revelation. Consideration of typology of the Old Testament pertaining to Christ deepens the students understanding of the life, work, and teachings of Jesus and the salvific impact of the Paschal Mystery as depicted in the Gospel accounts. By praying with Scripture, students encounter Christ the Word, and are challenged to respond to Jesus’ invitation of discipleship.
Juniors 1st Semester - Church History - This course considers the mystery of the Church including Christ’s institution, the Church's role in God's plan of salvation, and the unique qualities of the Church. It provides a survey of the Church's history from its beginning to the present and highlights the heroic witness of the saints. As missionary disciples, students are encouraged to deepen their relationship with Christ and to actively participate in the life of the Church.
Juniors 2nd Semester - Faith and Reason - This course provides a deeper understanding of the harmony between faith and human reason by presenting the philosophical, theological, and scriptural foundations of the truths of the Roman Catholic Church as manifested in the Creed. It aims to equip the student with the apologetic and evangelical skills necessary to spread and explain their faith in Jesus and His Church. This includes learning how to give a testimony.
Seniors 1st Semester - Catholic Social Teaching - This course examines how a Christian can apply the message of Jesus Christ to the modern world. It will focus on the dignity of the human person and the rights and responsibilities which flow from that dignity. The class offers foundational principles of Catholic social teaching and particular emphasis is placed on engaging the culture through the lens of a Catholic worldview. The Capstone portion of this class focuses on development of leadership skills with emphasis on the role of servant leadership. By these skills students take an active role in service projects, coordination efforts, volunteer recruitment, and by participation as leaders in actual projects.
Seniors 2nd Semester - Christian Vocations - This course explores man's meaning and purpose in life and the universal call to holiness. It is intended to equip the students to live their vocation within the sacramental life of the Church through the vocations of Marriage, Holy Orders, and Consecrated Life. Discipleship is an integral element to this class. It includes learning how to follow, worship, and share Jesus with others and being a Christian witness in the world. This class develops the spiritual life of the individual through spontaneous prayer, prayer time in class, journaling, learning how to give a retreat, and learning how to pray with people. During this course, special emphasis is given to the Theology of the Body because of its close connection with the content of the course.
